Wet tumbling ?

[Topwater]

Do you folks that wet tumble with pins have the same problem that I have with the tumbler leaking ? There is no way to get the gaskets to seal properly without coating them on both sides with Vaseline. If you’ve found an easier process please let me know. The petroleum jelly is a mess to clean up when putting the tumbler away. Thanks for your input.

 

[GLShooter]

Depends on the tumbler. My small FART doesn't leak. My Thumblers has issues.

Greg

 

[RustyInBend]

The easier process is ... don't use steel pins. I stopped, and the non-pinned wet-tumbled results are just fine.

 

[Rwfish]

I use a CED brass tornado wet tumbler. No leakage issues but the small opening is a pain.. O-ring sealed..

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Do you folks that wet tumble with pins have the same problem that I have with the tumbler leaking ? There is no way to get the gaskets to seal properly without coating them on both sides with Vaseline. If you’ve found an easier process please let me know. The petroleum jelly is a mess to clean up when putting the tumbler away. Thanks for your input.

What model

 

[Rick300]

If you are talking about the FART, I have the same issue. Even if it looks clean, I still have take the gasket off and wipe it down with a clean cloth, along with the rim of the barrel and the plastic end cap. I don't know why it works, but it does.

 

[Krogen]

I use a Thumler's tumbler. No leaks whatsoever. I suppose, if it started leaking I'd just replace the cover gasket. Could it be that you overtightened the lid and deformed the gaskets? As noted above, it would help to know what tumbler you're using.

 

[rockhound78]

I use a FA tumbler without issues, but I quit using pins as it seems that I get nearly just as good results without them.

 

[Topwater]

By ……. FART , I suppose you mean a Frankfort Arsenal. That’s what I’m using. The reason I use pins is that I’m a bit anal about clean primer pockets. As you can see, once the gaskets are lubed it doesn’t leak. I may try cutting gaskets from another material. The original rubber seems to twist and bunch up a bit when tightened firmly. (The video I took, would not load here)

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I use a Thumler's tumbler. No leaks whatsoever. I suppose, if it started leaking I'd just replace the cover gasket. Could it be that you overtightened the lid and deformed the gaskets? As noted above, it would help to know what tumbler you're using.

I use the TT as well. Never over tighten, bought larger thumb nuts from lowes, and never store with it tightened either. I typically leave clean pins in clean water in mine as well stored standing so theirs always some moisture present to prevent drying out. Had it for 12 years i think and no issues yet.

 

[rwj]

By ……. FART , I suppose you mean a Frankfort Arsenal. That’s what I’m using. The reason I use pins is that I’m a bit anal about clean primer pockets. As you can see, once the gaskets are lubed it doesn’t leak. I may try cutting gaskets from another material. The original rubber seems to twist and bunch up a bit when tightened firmly. (The video I took, would not load here)

Try wetting both sides of the gasket and the mating cap/tumbler faces with whatever fluid you’re using to clean the cases. Also check that tumbler body rubber liner does not extend the body end face. Trim as required.

 

[Rank Amateur]

You can stop the leakage by adequately tightening the caps. Unfortunately, you often cannot get the caps tight enough by hand. I started using a cheap strap wrench. Worked every time and no lubrication of gaskets was necessary. Large wrench for 6” diameter (24” strap) worked flawlessly.

https://www.harborfreight.com/rubber-strap-wrench-set-2-piece-69373.html

 

[Webster]

Do you folks that wet tumble with pins have the same problem that I have with the tumbler leaking ? There is no way to get the gaskets to seal properly without coating them on both sides with Vaseline. If you’ve found an easier process please let me know. The petroleum jelly is a mess to clean up when putting the tumbler away. Thanks for your input.

What brand are you using? I have a cheap Harbor Freight rock tumbler. It doesn't leak.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I use a STM high speed tumbler. It hasn't leaked in the several years that I've owned it.

 

[Straightshooter1]

By ……. FART , I suppose you mean a Frankfort Arsenal. That’s what I’m using. The reason I use pins is that I’m a bit anal about clean primer pockets. As you can see, once the gaskets are lubed it doesn’t leak. I may try cutting gaskets from another material. The original rubber seems to twist and bunch up a bit when tightened firmly. (The video I took, would not load here)

I use the Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler whenever I happen to wet tumble, which is not very often. But I have had some leakage and the simple fix for that was to be sure the rubber seal and the edge it seals against was wet all the way around as I put the cover on and tightened it down firmly. I just dip my finger in the water and apply a coating of water. It never leaks when I do that.

 

[jpx2rk]

Somebody at one time was offering a 3D printed wrench for the tops used on FART tumblers. I have one, but can't remember where I got it other than online.

I've found if I wet the seals with plain water or maybe with the soapy solution in the container, no leaks if you tighten it by hand enough.

 

[Cecil S.]

I own 2 Tumblers. 1 new and one used the used one fell from my bench amazingly leaks very little but still in use. I use SS pins but want to change to chips. I tighten the lid down in a pattern. Like mounting a tire.

 

[Rank Amateur]

Somebody at one time was offering a 3D printed wrench for the tops used on FART tumblers. I have one, but can't remember where I got it other than online.

I've found if I wet the seals with plain water or maybe with the soapy solution in the container, no leaks if you tighten it by hand enough.

The Original FART Extractor by the SlowestBro

Nothing is worse than when you are opening up your Wet FART and a finger slips, it hurts and can get a bit messy. With this attachment you can rest easy knowing that your fingers won't slip into your Wet FART's screw on cap tearing a finger nail off or bruising your fingers. This works on your...

sunbrodesigns.com

 

[Longtrain]

I have used a Thumbler’s Tumbler for several years, I got rid of the pins, which stuck in my case necks and went to SS Chips. No problem at all. I haven’t had any leaks and still have the original gasket and lid. I do cross tighten the wing nuts by hand until turning them will hurt a bit. Even tension seems to seal well. I could crank them with a pliers, but I never found that necessary, no leaks. I tumble after depriming and before annealing and resizing.

 

[Timon]

I have used a Lyman wet tumbler, with steel pins, for a number of years, with no leaking at all. I really do not have to tighten the lid all that tight either. I guess that they just have a good gasket.