Thumler Rotory Tumbler

[Sray53TXTN]

Thumler Rotory Tumbler

Water tight steel barrel with heavy rubber liner 1 1/4 gallon barrel capacity. Weight capacity 15 pounds. 200 to 600 cases. Heavy steel base. Motor thermally protected 1/50th hp., 115 volt draws .9 amps



Anyone have or used one? Looking for some opinions on them used with ceramic pellets.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Got one that I've had for about 20 years. Finally had to replace the motor. Gone through a few belts. Works like a champ!! It's outside in the shed so the noise doesn't bother me. I'll drop about 100 cases in it and let run for a day or so. Lots of range pick ups and they come out looking like new. I've tried everything but had the best luck with untreated corn cob. Gets the cases clean. Really clean! Replace the media about every year or so. Would I get another one? If this one ever wears out, you bet! Parts are available with no problem.
Never tried to tumble rocks in it!

 

[Forum Boss]

I like the Thumler's Tumblers--good design.

One point of clarification, however. If you use FRESH walnut shells,bought in bulk from a pet supply) and put a couple capfuls of Mineral spirits, plus a tablespoon of liquid polishing solution in the mixture, you'll find those cases get bright and shiny much much faster.

I rarely tumble for more than 2 hours, and with most cases, IF the media is fresh, one hour will do the job.

You don't need new media each time, but it's not a bad idea to change when the media starts to darken noticeably.

From a safety standpoint, it is also a good idea to replenish your media regularly. Particularly with pistol brass, the solution accumulates lead and other toxic crap from the primers and powder residues. Every time you rev up the tumbler you increase your exposure to that stuff. The Mineral Spirits does help keep the dust down though.

 

[Rustystud]

I started with a small rock tumbler 40 years ago. I bought a vibratory cleaner next, then a second one for ball bearing peening molly. When I stated loading comercially I saw a plastic drummed cement mixer. I removed the paddles and reversed the pullys. Works great for pollishing brass. I get my walnut hulls from a sand blasting abrasive supplier in 25-pound bags. I made a vibratory screen for getting the walnut hull from the cases. I can clean about 5000 .223 cases at a time.

Rustystud

 

[AlNyhus]

I use that model for tumbling bullet cores and jackets. I've only had it for a couple of months, but really like it. -Al

 

[243Mendoza]

have one to moly bullets and lube cases; work great.

 

[usngunner]

I have a Thumlers with a small and large tub. Great piece of gear, very helpful folks as well. Mine came with a small tub, I wanted a bigger one and some of the sealing o-rings.

The lady on the phone took care of it and I had my stuff in a couple of days.

Definitely good to go.

 

[AckleymanII]

That unit works but the same company makes a much better vibratory unit.

I use that exact same unit for 10 years, then bought the Ultra Vibe 18 made by Thumbler's Tumbler. It is the quietest of all vibratory tumblers and cleans the cases at least twice as fast if not more.

The rock tumbler has 6 wing nuts on it which will drive you crazy chasing them all over the garage as you drop them. The vibratory unit has one wing nut.

I have been using the Ultra Vibe 18 since 1990, hard use. It is so quiet that you can have the unit operating 4 feet away from you and listen to the radio at normal volume...not bad.

Good luck!

 

[NorCalMikie]

I've found out the "hard way" that you don't mix 44 mag. cases with .223 in the same batch. They get stuck together and 99% of the time you can't get them apart. You'll have to distroy one of the cases to seperate them.:,

 

[Tom15034]

I have one and like it. You can't use any additives that contain petroleum products or it swells up the rubber liner.

 

[Sray53TXTN]

My plan is to stick to ceramic pellets & liquid,non-petroleum) products. I still have a 15lb bag of fine ground corn cob from the pet store for other brass cleanup chores.

Any recommendations on a quick drying procedure when using liquid cleaners? I'm sure the wife would let me use the BBQ grill.

 

[Sray53TXTN]

Any recommendations on a quick drying procedure for the tumnbled brass, after they're rinsed?

 

[NorCalMikie]

I don't use "treated" media. Just corn cob. I resize using water soluable lube,wash with warm soapy water, rinse and stick the brass in the over to dry. If you rinse with hot water they will dry real fast. Roll them on a towell to get most of the water off. If you turn the oven on,you better watch them close. Just warm it up enough to get them dry, or let them set in the "off" over over night
I'am talking maybe 150 to 200 cases at a time. My M1A really eats brass!
Compressed air, blow dryer. Folks use all sorts of stuff. Whatever works for you. I don't use additives. But that's just me.