RCBS Sidewinder Tumbler

[chkunz]

For those of you that use the RCBS Sidewinder please give your opinion of this product.

 

[Ray Gross]

I've been using mine since 1996 witout any mechanical problems. It is used to wet tumbler my brass.

One drum began to leak at the base some years ago and RCBS replaced it at no cost.

I would buy another if the one I have ever wears out.

 

[Longone1]

In my opinion it's worth every penny I paid for it 25+ years ago. When I do need a bushing or shaft RCBS sends them at no cost and it's like new again. I usually wet tumble my brass in it but have also used it to Moly bullets when I did that.

I would buy another tomorrow if it went ka-put.

Longone

 

[Milo 2.0]

In my opinion it's worth every penny I paid for it 25+ years ago. When I do need a bushing or shaft RCBS sends them at no cost and it's like new again. I usually wet tumble my brass in it but have also used it to Moly bullets when I did that.

I would buy another tomorrow if it went ka-put.

Longone

You paid 135.00 twenty five years ago, they retail for over 400.00 today. Not a wise investment for the amount the unit holds. A guy could buy a quality rock tumbler for under 200.00.

 

[amlevin]

I bought mine in the early 80's when it was "affordable". Still works flawlessly today.

If I had to replace it today I wouldn't even consider it due to it's price. The Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler or a Thumbler Model B, High Speed, would be my only choices.

The ONE shortcoming I see in the sidewinder is that it only holds half the liquid of the Thumbler Model B. This can be a problem with case mouth peening and a "full load" of .308 cases. I'd more likely go with the F.A.R.T.

 

[rminut]

I have one to moly coat with. I only bought it because of the used price. It works fine but I don't see how they get the money they do for new ones. I also have an old Lorcin and it does the job just fine.

 

[searcher]

It is a heavy-duty rig and worthwhile. I had a few parts wear out and recently, thought I'd not be able to get parts due to lack of response from RCBS. That turned out to not be a worry in the end and got the parts. Back to liking the tumbler and renewed faith in RCBS.

 

[Longone1]

In my opinion it's worth every penny I paid for it 25+ years ago. When I do need a bushing or shaft RCBS sends them at no cost and it's like new again. I usually wet tumble my brass in it but have also used it to Moly bullets when I did that.

I would buy another tomorrow if it went ka-put.

Longone

You paid 135.00 twenty five years ago, they retail for over 400.00 today. Not a wise investment for the amount the unit holds. A guy could buy a quality rock tumbler for under 200.00.

Just curious if the maker of the rock tumbler supports our sport like RCBS does?

Longone

 

[amlevin]

In my opinion it's worth every penny I paid for it 25+ years ago. When I do need a bushing or shaft RCBS sends them at no cost and it's like new again. I usually wet tumble my brass in it but have also used it to Moly bullets when I did that.

I would buy another tomorrow if it went ka-put.

Longone

You paid 135.00 twenty five years ago, they retail for over 400.00 today. Not a wise investment for the amount the unit holds. A guy could buy a quality rock tumbler for under 200.00.

Just curious if the maker of the rock tumbler supports our sport like RCBS does?

Longone

Don't know about "Thumbler" but Frankford Arsenal sure does.

 

[oldroper]

I got my Sidewinder 1993 and still going strong. At the time is was expensive but looking how long it's last I think it was worth it.

 

[chkunz]

Thanks to all for the great input.
I am going to resist the urge to try one, what I am using is good enough and the price of the Sidewinder does not encourage experimentation. "Better is the mortal enemy of good enough" and what I am doing is good enough. Thanks again.

 

[amlevin]

Thanks to all for the great input.
I am going to resist the urge to try one, what I am using is good enough and the price of the Sidewinder does not encourage experimentation. "Better is the mortal enemy of good enough" and what I am doing is good enough. Thanks again.

To sum it all up, the Sidewinder won't do anything that a good rock tumbler doesn't. It's capacity is even less than that of the Thumbler Model B High Speed and costs twice as much.

 

[Duster_360]

I bought a Sidewinder and extra drum in July '96 to do dry moly. I used it to impact plate every bullet I fired in XTC competition and practice before leaving the game to start my own business years later. It was as reliable a piece of equipment as any thing I've owned. The drums deteriorated and came apart when I started using them for the wet moly process and I finally had the drive belt tear. RCBS replaced the parts and I keep it busy doing wet moly plating.

It was a reasonable purchase at the near $200 I paid for it in '96. No way I would spent $400 for it now.There are better choices available for a lot less money these days.

 

[Dos XX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuFVkh4AzwI