Lyman vs. Frankford Arsenal

[rockable]

Which wet tumbler should I get? The Lyman is now in stock. Have some of you actually gotten the chance to do actual comparisons on the two?

Thanks
Rock

 

[XBBR Shooter]

The Lyman comes with 0.041" diameter pins, so they will jam in the flash holes.

Get a wet cleaner what comes with 0.047" pins, or you will get stuck with buying a separate batch of pins for ~ $50..

 

[rockable]

So, how will I know? They are in a package and not specified, that I'm aware of.

 

[Comrade Terry]

You might look here: http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

They have the 0.047" pins.

 

[chkunz]

Another option is the Model B Thumblers Tumbler if you decide not to use the pins. I tried the pins and I found that I do not need them. I tumble in the Model B for two hours with water and about a half of cup of Simple Green and do not need the pins. I have been using the Model B for about 40 years.

 

[andy 2]

I havethe Frankfort and is great. Use it on 9mm - 223- 6.5grendel - 40S&W no stuck pins.

 

[rockable]

So, I guess it's like Cracker Jacks. You have to buy one and see if you got .041 or .047. Then, you know if you won or lost.

 

[shoot4fun]

The Frankfort Arsenal SS tumbler is a very worthwhile investment. A friend has been running the snot out of one for over a year. No fuss, no muss, no bother. Works, dare I say, better than my Thumbler Model B and a lot less expensive.

 

[fredhorace77]

I'm also a very well pleased user of the Frankford Arsenal, I think you get a lot of product for the money. No experience with the lyman

 

[sfldiver]

I'm also a very well pleased user of the Frankford Arsenal, I think you get a lot of product for the money. No experience with the lyman

+1

 

[Joe R]

I'm also a very well pleased user of the Frankford Arsenal, I think you get a lot of product for the money. No experience with the lyman

+1

I've been using mine for about a year. Wouldn't dream of using anything else.

Joe

 

[rardoin]

Good experience with the FA also. I have no issues with in the primer holes on LR primed cases but I get about 3-5/100 pins wedged in the neck (easily visible and removed) on 6.5mm cases. One trick to separate the pins from the cases is to rinse as described in the use manual then put the cases in a dry media separator filled about halfway with water and rotate as you would with walnut/corn cob media for a few minutes. This has removed all but the neck wedged pins for me. I have not tried tumbling without pin media...I will have to give this a try to compare.

 

[jonbearman]

Just make sure you run a load with just the pins with dawn etc to get all the oils off of them.

 

[rockable]

Picked up a FA tumbler yesterday and cleaned the pins. Tonight I tumbled a nice load of rifle brass and separated it all with no fuss. I'm pleased. I doubt I ever dry tumble again.

 

[chuckshooter]

I got FA from midway 3 months ago and love it. measured the pins at .038. have not had any issues with stuck pins, but so far I have only done 223, 204, 20 vartarg 20 ackley bee and 22 k hornet. nothing bigger size wise. I do't know if I will ever use my dry vibrator cleaner again.