need a new tumbler (burnt media)

[rmist]

I used my vibrating tumbler last night and left running for the normal 2 1/2 -3 hrs. I dumped the cases into the separator and noticed blackened corn media on the bottom of the bowl stuck fast ! It looks like it burned the media. Cases all had black bits stuck to them and was really hard to get off. I guess I've gotten my monies worth after 14 years of usage !

What is the better of all the vibratory style tumblers? I don't want a wet wash system at this time. I recall a thread about this but can't find it.

Thanks again,
Rmist

 

[CatShooter]

Dillon 2001

 

[cwcarrera]

I have a Dillon CV-750 which is the smaller version of the 2001, it works very well and seems to be very well built.

 

[rmist]

Thanks ... I'll take a look at these.

 

[Mozella]

You say you don't want a wet tumbler, but you should change your mind................... really.

For the same price as the dry media devices you're considering, you can get a Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Case Tumbler. And, it includes the SS media, which is a bit pricy if purchased separately. This Tumbler gets rave reviews. Cheaper than Dirt has the best price, around $150 or so last time I looked. Considering it's a gear drive system with a large drum and comes with about fifty bucks worth of SS media, it's a pretty good deal.

I have a budget SS tumbler and I"m seriously considering the Frankford even though my current system works great, simply because the Frankford holds a huge load of brass.

It's hard to beat SS media tumbling for cleaning and shining brass. It does a perfect job inside and out including the primer pocket. The fact that the brass gets wet is no big deal. I give mine a shake in the colander I use to separate the media. Then a 1 minute spin in a salad spinner followed by a one minute warm-up with a heat gun or 20 minutes inside a mesh bag trapped in the door of a clothes dryer, or I put them directly into my case annealer. They literally look brand new and prime beautifully without any additional hand work. No dust and the media doesn't wear out, plus SS tumbling is quick, about 2 hours in most instances.

 

[jonbearman]

Either Dillon is like a commercial machine and I have the 2001 and it has done many thousands of cases.

 

[searcher]

I have not tried the Dillon (though they make great products with the best warranty)but have lyman, Hornady and a Cabela's. The Cabela's is hands down best polishing action, then the Lyman, then the Hornady - which is falling apart after 8 months of hard use. I don't normally have to polish thousands of the same thing - but often have several tumblers going with different stuff. For small/medium dry tumble - I'd buy more Cabela's over the more expensive options out there. I also have a RCBS rotary tumbler which is great but at the replacement price, I'd look at the Frankford Arsenal tumbler - though don't know how well made it is - and assume - like everything else these days - is made in China. I know one guy who does use multiple LARGE dry tumblers and he swears by the Harbor Freight tumbler. When one failed, he exchanged with no questions asked.

 

[Sniper338]

You should change your mind and get a wet tumbler with ss media.

 

[mr45man]

Dillon , They have 2 sizes . I also have a wet set up,comes in handy some times for range/desert pick up brass. I will never buy any thing Orange again.
John H.

 

[ebb]

Get the Dillon, either size, I got the smaller size and its just fine. Its so over built I over load it big time and it doesn't even care. Use walnut media and some polish. The Dillon polish works good, but it smells just like the Jubilee that mom used to use on Formica counter tops so it may be the cheaper of the two. I've let it run all night several times and when I turn it off in the mourning the motor isn't even warm.

 

[chkunz]

Have you ever tried a "wet tumbler"? If so, and you have made the decision not to use one that is ok, it is an informed decision. If not, we need to provide you with justification to try that option.

 

[TimP]

If you prefer a dry system as do I check out Thumlers Tumbler. http://thumlerstumbler.com/ I purchased their Ultra-Vibe 18 and am very happy with it.

 

[rmist]

.... here's what I have thought about the last few days...
Either the....
Dillion CV 750 or the Thumlers UV 18... both about the same price.

Plus a Frankfort Arsenal Platinum rotary tumbler and a magnet.

After reading the poll and all the other info about the wet...I've decided to go with both !!! I'm leaning towards the Thumlers version at the moment. Thoughts?
Thanks again,
Rmist

 

[Shrek]

I have the Frankfort Arsenal SS media tumbler and I'm really happy with it. The big screw on lids on each end are very easy to use and since it is plastic ( heavy duty not flimsy ) it won't dent and deform. Inside is lined with something like bed coat for your truck. I don't know how much it's rated for but I had 100 7mm WSM and 60 6.5 RSAUM in it the other day and it had no problem with that load. Set it on two hours with a little dawn and Lemi Shine and the brass is cleaner than new.

 

[shoot4fun]

I would also say that you should look into the benefits of wet tumbling with SS media. But I will also go farther and say you still need to have a good vibratory tumbler in the house too. I have the Dillon 750 (smaller of the two they offer) and have never, in the 15 years I've used it, felt it too small for any task I have offered it.

 

[loneranger04]

I've had the Thumlers vibratory and currently have the Frankford Arsenal plus a Rebel wet tumbler. The Frankford vibratory works as well or better than the Thumlers did but...the wiring inside came loose and my son had to rewire the motor. It's been running for 7+ years. I sold the Thumlers to buy the Rebel wet tumbler which works great but do not wish to wet tumble all my brass every time so I like having both. The Rebel's parts have been coated to prevent rust. The Thumlers isn't and I've heard that they rust without lots of care.

 

[OrdellRobbie]

Not sure how attached you are to this tumbler but if the bowl is still useable it might be worth just replacing the motor. I'm assuming the motor is what overheated. Also assuming your motor looks like the hornady version I have. Your local hvac refrigeration parts house probably has a replacement in stock. Here in Texas United Refrigeration has them for sure. Even if it's not worth it it may be a fun little project.

Quick search on the web found this

http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/fasco/C_Frame.htm

Never bought from them but motors are available. Usually the bushings/bearings go out.

I've always called them skeleton motors but it looks like they are also called c frame. U can take out two screws and flip the armature to reverse rotation.

 

[ericbc7]

Plus 1 for the Frankfort arsenal tumbler. There is, are, no dry tumbling options that match wet tumbling, In regard to clean brass

 

[BaconFat]

One thing I'd like to point out about Thumler's gear is it's designed for rock polishing. That means it's designed to run 24/7 non-stop for weeks and months on end. Thumler has been producing their equipment for 50 years and has stood the test of time. An Ultra-Vibe 18 will give you decades of trouble-free service.

 

[rmist]

Thanks everyone... Well, I ordered a Thumler's UV 18 and a Frankfort Arsenal wet tumbler. I used the FA yesterday on 400 223 cases. Two hours later...they looked like new. Right after I running back and forth in a towel they were annealed and that finished them. The little pins are a pain to pick up after giving them a spin in my case separator. The machine is VERY loud compared to vibrating tumblers !!
I haven't used the Thumlers yet, just put media in with some polish and let run to absorb. Super quite !!

Thanks again