Rotary style brass tumbler questions.

[oldcars]

I have been reloading for many years, and have always used the vibratory style brass cleaner, and from what I can tell, I think I want to switch to the rotary style in liquid with stainless media. My big complaint with the vibratory style is the dust, noise, etc.

What is the best bang for the buck setup ? can I just use an old Rock polisher a friend has? any certain ones to stay away from?

I have the big Dillon spiny thing to clean media out of cases, I assume it would work just as well for getting water out?

 

[markm87]

It's worth it to get the Thumlers. I'm running two of them. I leap frog them every hour so that each load gets 2 hours of tumble. I used to go 3-4 hours, but it's not much difference.

 

[GLShooter]

Small Frankford Armory. I switched from the Thumblers and am very pleased.

Greg

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Use the rock polisher to see if you like it. The spinny thing wont get the pins out of the cases but itll get most of the water out

 

[kd4avp]

I have been tumbling mine for several years in an old rock tumbler. Works just as good as any other tumbler in my opinion. All you need it a large enough drum to handle a good number of brass. My rock tumbler easily handles 3 to 4 lbs of brass. Now granted, I used to run a good load of rocks in it too in the day. Shot of Dawn, a sprinkle of LemiShine, add water and let it rip. Couple hours in the mix and good to go. Some like to use pins or the odd shaped ball media added in. Did both, just prefer to run it with the detergent and hot water. Works like a champ for me...and its cheap.

 

[divingin]

The rock polisher will be fine if it's big enough to suit your needs. If you look at the Thumler website, you'll see that they sell them both for lapidary and shooting use.

You can use an RCBS (or similar) dry media separator to get the pins out - make sure part of the spin cycle puts them underwater.

 

[338 dude]

I have been reloading for many years, and have always used the vibratory style brass cleaner, and from what I can tell, I think I want to switch to the rotary style in liquid with stainless media. My big complaint with the vibratory style is the dust, noise, etc.

What is the best bang for the buck setup ? can I just use an old Rock polisher a friend has? any certain ones to stay away from?

I have the big Dillon spiny thing to clean media out of cases, I assume it would work just as well for getting water out?

Frankford arsenal rotary Tumblr

 

[jpx2rk]

I've got both sizes of the FA wet tumblers, and prefer the small/mini size which holds 300 223 size brass. The larger one holds 1K of 223 brass IIRC. I also have the FA wet/dry media separator which works very well with the SS pins. I've not found a single pin in a case when sizing/processing the brass after washing with pins using the media separator.

 

[6bra1k]

first off a vib cleaner with fine ground corn cob(blasting media) and NUFINISH car polish works wonders.
i shoot in competition small groups and score out to 2000 yards and it works for me.
if you want to go to pins stay away from toys and the wrong pins.
i have an rcbs SIDWINDER with 6 drums.....moly coating, hbn coating , bullet cleaning and ss pins. mesh kitchen strainers work well for water/brass/pins separating.
pins has a down side..brass can stain......its clean but looks poor.
unless you have some valid reason for cleaning the insides of your cases, i would pass, and do as i say above.

 

[338 dude]

I have been reloading for many years, and have always used the vibratory style brass cleaner, and from what I can tell, I think I want to switch to the rotary style in liquid with stainless media. My big complaint with the vibratory style is the dust, noise, etc.

What is the best bang for the buck setup ? can I just use an old Rock polisher a friend has? any certain ones to stay away from?

I have the big Dillon spiny thing to clean media out of cases, I assume it would work just as well for getting water out?

 

[jcm800]

Been useing a Thumbler since the 80's, it was used /old when I got it. Lizard litter walnut media.
Give the motor bearings / roller bushings a drop of oil every once in a while. I use o rings from home depot for belts.