Homemade rotatory tumbler

luis7 · March 17, 2009, 02:37 PM

Hello guys.
Here is a new homemade rotatory tumbler.
Do you like it?
I use alcohol to clean my brass.DSCN1279.jpg

DSCN1280.jpg
Greetings from Spain.

sewerman · March 17, 2009, 07:43 PM

very innovative!
do you use walnut or corn cob media?
how many cases can your tumbler hold?

sewerman

luis7 · March 18, 2009, 03:10 AM

I use alcohol in this tumbler to wash my brass but you could use rice, corn cob, valnut, etc etc, all to use to clean brass.
Bye.

furtaker · March 18, 2009, 06:59 PM

Thats interesting, how much alcohol does it take? How many casings can you do at once?

luis7 · March 19, 2009, 02:59 AM

I use a bit alcohol like 100 cc3 by cans.
I can clean up to 300 9mm brass in two little cans but in a big cans i can put up to 500 brass, in this case I use 200 cc3.
Bye.

furtaker · March 19, 2009, 05:55 PM

Can you reuse the alcohol, if so how many times?

Inspector3711 · March 19, 2009, 10:19 PM

Eventually those cans may wear through. My commercially made tumbler has drums that are made out of some kind of rubber that wears more slowly, but then it's really intended for polishing rocks. With yours you just replace the cans if needed. Great work!

How does the lid work?

Swampghost · March 19, 2009, 10:24 PM

Nice job!

I've been thinking about this recently as I'm planning to get back into reloading but the money is really tight right now.

luis7 · March 20, 2009, 02:33 AM

Hello guys:
You can use alcohol many times, only need filter in a cofee paper filter when you can see it not clean.
Bye.

furtaker · March 20, 2009, 09:20 PM

This gives me an Idea! I'm going to try to use my wifes treadmill some how!

Ricklin · March 21, 2009, 11:37 AM

I think I would use a 3 gallon plastic pail with a good lid. Media, brass, go in the bucket. Put three or 4 or five pillows in the dryer IE stuff it full with your bucket more or less centered. Turn off the heat "tumble or fluff" setting.

Since the plastic bucket is sealed we don't contaminate the dryer with the bad stuff.

Should work pretty well.

redneckhunter · March 27, 2009, 08:08 PM

i use the one gallon pickle ir relish plastic jugs with the twist on type lids for mine and it is very like this pic i think any round type jugs would work and there cheap too

publius · March 27, 2009, 08:44 PM

Cool device. I want to see the treadmill tumbler when it's done.

freonr22 · August 11, 2009, 06:00 PM

so did you ever do the treadmill tumbler?

brando77 · August 12, 2009, 01:05 AM

i like the dryer idea,i'm gonna try alcohol since i hand wash my brass,geez if my wife caught me with a 5gal bucket-o- dirty brass rollin' around in the dryer she'd pop her top fer sure.

abber · August 12, 2009, 08:59 AM

What is the RPM of the motor, and what is the tooth ratio on your sprockets? Better yet, give us a part number for the motor, and the ratio.

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · August 12, 2009, 03:49 PM

G'day.
That looks like it should work well, good job.

Quote:

what is the tooth ratio on your sprockets?

The gears look like 55 & 11 (5:1 ratio).

gandog56 · August 12, 2009, 04:41 PM

If the dude is from Spain, maybe it isn't a 115 volt motor.

**Bud Helms** · August 12, 2009, 06:42 PM

I don't understand how the cans are "rolled". How are they made to turn? The large gear is obviously being driven by the motor, but the photos do not shown how the large gear drives the cans or the rollers on which the cans rest. If the cans are driven directly, you will need a method of keeping the can pressed tightly together, end-to-end. If you drive the rollers and allow the cans to rest on the turning rollers for the rolling action, then you will need gears on the end of the rollers, or at least one roller. I don't see any way in your photo that you will get the cans to roll unless you stand there and roll them by hand.

I also wonder how you would keep the alcohol in these cans. They look like they are pull-top cans. How will you seal them well enough to keep a liquid from draining out.

So, it looks to me like the motor will turn the large gear just fine and the cans will just sit there on their rails draining alcohol all over the place.

Are you pulling our legs?

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · August 13, 2009, 03:43 PM

G'day. Bud, can't you tell it just uses friction from the can sitting on the plastic/rubber coated rod. To stop the alcohol from running out all you need to do is stand the unit on it's end (with the opening facing UP).

noelf2 · August 13, 2009, 05:54 PM

Hey that could also be used as a ball-mill for making black powder , if you can power it up and ensure it's a long way from anything important.

**Unclenick** · August 13, 2009, 08:41 PM

The friction looks like it's coming from a tape wrap on the rods. A few one-inch lengths of neoprene or latex tubing spread out along the rods would do it and be more uniform. Only enough to contact the cans.

My concern with the design is it doesn't appear to tumble, but more to roll and slide. The two rotary tumblers I own have flat sides so they tend to pick the contents up and drop it a little. You could try soldering some ribs in, cut from a spare can. Indenting the cans from the outside to form ribs is an obvious one, but you probably won't have a liquid-proof seal at the lid any more if you do it. Anyway, I expect something is needed to stir things a little. When you get that, the cans will be harder to turn, so the rubber tubing may become a necessity.

**Bud Helms** · August 14, 2009, 05:26 AM

No gear driving the rubber coated rods. I thought I mentioned that.

Dr. Strangelove · August 14, 2009, 10:09 AM

Looks like the rear rod is driven by the gear, and the front rod just spins in place with no power applied. Whats to question?

As far as the cans and holding alcohol, they look like the euro types that use a metal insert that fits tightly inside the mouth. Sort of like the way the old Chocolate Quick cans with the metal tops used to seal.

By the way Luis7, are you a transplanted American or Brit? 'Cause I noticed you labeled your power switch "Off" and "On", but you live in Spain.

Also, the motor label is printed in English.

**Bud Helms** · August 14, 2009, 10:32 PM

Okay, after staring at the pic for a while, I do see it now.

Thanks!

March 17, 2009, 02:37 PM	#1
luis7 Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: ESPAÑA Posts: 39	Homemade rotatory tumbler Hello guys. Here is a new homemade rotatory tumbler. Do you like it? I use alcohol to clean my brass.DSCN1279.jpg DSCN1280.jpg Greetings from Spain.

March 17, 2009, 07:43 PM	#2
sewerman Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2005 Location: hurricane alley, florida Posts: 304	very innovative! do you use walnut or corn cob media? how many cases can your tumbler hold? sewerman __________________ "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny!" Thomas Jefferson "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety!" Benjamin franklin The Armed Citizen PREVENTS tyranny!

March 19, 2009, 10:19 PM	#7
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	Eventually those cans may wear through. My commercially made tumbler has drums that are made out of some kind of rubber that wears more slowly, but then it's really intended for polishing rocks. With yours you just replace the cans if needed. Great work! How does the lid work? __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

March 19, 2009, 10:24 PM	#8
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	Nice job! I've been thinking about this recently as I'm planning to get back into reloading but the money is really tight right now. __________________ NRA Patron Member

March 21, 2009, 11:37 AM	#11
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	If I did not have a tumbler I think I would use a 3 gallon plastic pail with a good lid. Media, brass, go in the bucket. Put three or 4 or five pillows in the dryer IE stuff it full with your bucket more or less centered. Turn off the heat "tumble or fluff" setting. Since the plastic bucket is sealed we don't contaminate the dryer with the bad stuff. Should work pretty well. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

March 18, 2009, 03:10 AM	#3
luis7 Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: ESPAÑA Posts: 39	I use alcohol in this tumbler to wash my brass but you could use rice, corn cob, valnut, etc etc, all to use to clean brass. Bye.

March 18, 2009, 06:59 PM	#4
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	Thats interesting, how much alcohol does it take? How many casings can you do at once?

March 19, 2009, 02:59 AM	#5
luis7 Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: ESPAÑA Posts: 39	I use a bit alcohol like 100 cc3 by cans. I can clean up to 300 9mm brass in two little cans but in a big cans i can put up to 500 brass, in this case I use 200 cc3. Bye.

March 19, 2009, 05:55 PM	#6
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	Can you reuse the alcohol, if so how many times?

March 20, 2009, 02:33 AM	#9
luis7 Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: ESPAÑA Posts: 39	Hello guys: You can use alcohol many times, only need filter in a cofee paper filter when you can see it not clean. Bye.

March 20, 2009, 09:20 PM	#10
furtaker Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 119	This gives me an Idea! I'm going to try to use my wifes treadmill some how!

March 27, 2009, 08:08 PM	#12
redneckhunter Junior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: lake of the pines, east texas Posts: 8	i use the one gallon pickle ir relish plastic jugs with the twist on type lids for mine and it is very like this pic i think any round type jugs would work and there cheap too

March 27, 2009, 08:44 PM	#13
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Cool device. I want to see the treadmill tumbler when it's done. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

August 11, 2009, 06:00 PM	#14
freonr22 Member Join Date: December 17, 2008 Posts: 54	so did you ever do the treadmill tumbler?

August 12, 2009, 01:05 AM	#15
brando77 Member Join Date: April 26, 2009 Posts: 31	i like the dryer idea,i'm gonna try alcohol since i hand wash my brass,geez if my wife caught me with a 5gal bucket-o- dirty brass rollin' around in the dryer she'd pop her top fer sure.

August 12, 2009, 08:59 AM	#16
abber Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Location: PRK Posts: 735	What is the RPM of the motor, and what is the tooth ratio on your sprockets? Better yet, give us a part number for the motor, and the ratio. __________________ I ain't got no safe queens. I shoots em all...

August 12, 2009, 04:41 PM	#18
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2006 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 979	If the dude is from Spain, maybe it isn't a 115 volt motor. __________________ Some people think I'm paranoid because I have guns. If I have guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

August 12, 2009, 06:42 PM	#19
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	I don't understand how the cans are "rolled". How are they made to turn? The large gear is obviously being driven by the motor, but the photos do not shown how the large gear drives the cans or the rollers on which the cans rest. If the cans are driven directly, you will need a method of keeping the can pressed tightly together, end-to-end. If you drive the rollers and allow the cans to rest on the turning rollers for the rolling action, then you will need gears on the end of the rollers, or at least one roller. I don't see any way in your photo that you will get the cans to roll unless you stand there and roll them by hand. I also wonder how you would keep the alcohol in these cans. They look like they are pull-top cans. How will you seal them well enough to keep a liquid from draining out. So, it looks to me like the motor will turn the large gear just fine and the cans will just sit there on their rails draining alcohol all over the place. Are you pulling our legs?

August 13, 2009, 03:43 PM	#20
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	G'day. Bud, can't you tell it just uses friction from the can sitting on the plastic/rubber coated rod. To stop the alcohol from running out all you need to do is stand the unit on it's end (with the opening facing UP). __________________ If you're not confused, you're not trying hard enough! When you're confused, I'll try to use smaller words!!!

August 13, 2009, 05:54 PM	#21
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Hey that could also be used as a ball-mill for making black powder , if you can power it up and ensure it's a long way from anything important. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

August 13, 2009, 08:41 PM	#22
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	The friction looks like it's coming from a tape wrap on the rods. A few one-inch lengths of neoprene or latex tubing spread out along the rods would do it and be more uniform. Only enough to contact the cans. My concern with the design is it doesn't appear to tumble, but more to roll and slide. The two rotary tumblers I own have flat sides so they tend to pick the contents up and drop it a little. You could try soldering some ribs in, cut from a spare can. Indenting the cans from the outside to form ribs is an obvious one, but you probably won't have a liquid-proof seal at the lid any more if you do it. Anyway, I expect something is needed to stir things a little. When you get that, the cans will be harder to turn, so the rubber tubing may become a necessity. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 14, 2009, 05:26 AM	#23
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	No gear driving the rubber coated rods. I thought I mentioned that.

August 14, 2009, 10:09 AM	#24
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Looks like the rear rod is driven by the gear, and the front rod just spins in place with no power applied. Whats to question? As far as the cans and holding alcohol, they look like the euro types that use a metal insert that fits tightly inside the mouth. Sort of like the way the old Chocolate Quick cans with the metal tops used to seal. By the way Luis7, are you a transplanted American or Brit? 'Cause I noticed you labeled your power switch "Off" and "On", but you live in Spain. Also, the motor label is printed in English. Last edited by Dr. Strangelove; August 14, 2009 at 10:21 AM.

August 14, 2009, 10:32 PM	#25
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Okay, after staring at the pic for a while, I do see it now. Thanks!