Harbor Freight tumbler

BobJr · October 12, 2006, 05:13 AM

Has anyone had any experience with one of these or will they work.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46376

lev83 · October 12, 2006, 07:10 AM

Bob, that is the same tumbler I am currently using. It is working great for me, relatively quite, and it seems the only drawback is that the canister doesnt hold quite as many cases due to its limited size (125 - 150 38 spcl, 357 mag, 45 ACP, and 50 - 60 270 Win.) I did just receive a new RCBS vibratory tumbler as a gift and have switched to it because of increased capacity but would have no reservations recommending this one to you. In fact I am selling mine which is about a month old and is in like new condition. I will include an extra belt and a tub full of tuff-nut walnut media with it for $16 + $8 shipping if you or anyone else is interested.

caz223 · October 12, 2006, 11:30 AM

As you would expect, it works fine for very small batches of brass, and is quiet, but it takes forever, mostly because the tendancy is to overload it and let it run while you sleep.
With a rotary style tumbler using dry media, the key to getting a good tumbling action is the size of the hopper, it has to be quite large as that increases the amount the brass moves. The ideal is, of course, a cement mixer. While functional for very small batches of brass, the small rock tumbler is far from ideal for case cleaning.

CrustyFN · October 14, 2006, 08:28 PM

If you are set on a rotary tumbler they do make a double.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...0999/90979.gif

dfaugh · October 15, 2006, 08:06 AM

Was in my local Harbor Freight store the other day (MAN, I gotta stay away from there, I ALWAYS end up buying something)....And they also have a vibratory cleaner....Don't remember the price but it was very reasonable($40??). Also not sure if its listed in their catalog, or online or not

.357SIG · October 22, 2006, 08:51 AM

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93252
Case Tumbler

Dave P · October 22, 2006, 11:05 AM

I have a simalar rock tumbler and it works great. quite and cleans well in a couple of hours. I put about 30 308 cases at a time in there.

carl418 · October 23, 2006, 05:37 AM

Not trying to hijack this thread, but.... has anyone actually used the Harbor Freight double capacity unit? I'm seriously thinking of getting the small tumbler, and am glad to hear it works ok, but that small capacity has me thinking maybe the bigger one would work better... Any comments?

carl418 · October 24, 2006, 04:45 AM

Anybody?

Jim Watson · October 24, 2006, 07:03 AM

I looked at it when I was getting set up to tumble black powder brass in ceramic but it was so small, I gave up on the cheap Communist Chinese stuff and got a Thumbler.

caz223 · October 24, 2006, 08:57 AM

If you're gonna spend $40 on a tumbler, you can get the tumbler from midway for that when they go on sale.
I remember seeing them for $35 not too long ago.
I went the really expensive route and went with the ultrasonic.
There are 2 downsides to the ultrasonic.
1. must decap first. ( I do anyway.)
2. Strips ALL lube off. Run a case into the sizer without lubing it and it's stuck.

Some advantages.
No media in flash holes.
Insanely clean cases.
No hazardous dust.

willr · October 24, 2006, 02:18 PM

I use one of these Harbor Freight tumblers, too. My only problem is that the belt that came with it broke, and HF didn't have one to replace it. Sooo, the next best thing was three heavy rubber bands on the drive wheels -- works just great. willr

tomh1426 · October 24, 2006, 02:29 PM

E-bay

caz223 · October 25, 2006, 07:38 AM

Midways november flyer shows a 30.00 price for the FA tumbler.

PsychoKnight · October 30, 2006, 12:26 AM

Yes, the $30 sale on the just-released Frankford Arsenal 12" tumbler w/ a clear lid is a killer deal, 600-9mm capacity.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=587176

Use the money you save towards a Cabela's media separator for $19, is a copy of the $29 RCBS version.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...853&hasJS=true

FRANK1669 · October 30, 2006, 02:14 AM

I have the single and double both they work fine they just have limited capacity I did break 1 belt and the vaccum cleaner belt i had was a near perfect match. it depends on how much reloading you do I tried to go the "cheaper route" with these.but I retired these unless i am reloading a small batch for a friend 100 -200 rounds. I shoot CAS and IDPA when i reaload my 9mm or 38 spl. I load in lota of 1500 to 2000 rounds at a time so I wound up buying a large vibratory cleaner (lyman 2500 $80 through cabelas or Natchez) in one saturday I can polish 4000 9mm cases

Dogjaw · October 30, 2006, 06:12 AM

I used to use a rock tumbler. They're small, and after a while the polishing media coats the outside and the drum stops spinning. I gave up on that and bought a Lyman turbo and am glad I spent the money. New corn cob media with polish will clean (60) of the nastiest 30-06 brass in an hour.

October 12, 2006, 05:13 AM	#1
BobJr Junior Member Join Date: September 13, 2006 Posts: 7	Harbor Freight tumbler Has anyone had any experience with one of these or will they work. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46376

October 12, 2006, 11:30 AM	#3
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	As you would expect, it works fine for very small batches of brass, and is quiet, but it takes forever, mostly because the tendancy is to overload it and let it run while you sleep. With a rotary style tumbler using dry media, the key to getting a good tumbling action is the size of the hopper, it has to be quite large as that increases the amount the brass moves. The ideal is, of course, a cement mixer. While functional for very small batches of brass, the small rock tumbler is far from ideal for case cleaning. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

October 14, 2006, 08:28 PM	#4
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	If you are set on a rotary tumbler they do make a double. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...0999/90979.gif __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

October 15, 2006, 08:06 AM	#5
dfaugh Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,715	Was in my local Harbor Freight store the other day (MAN, I gotta stay away from there, I ALWAYS end up buying something)....And they also have a vibratory cleaner....Don't remember the price but it was very reasonable($40??). Also not sure if its listed in their catalog, or online or not __________________ "If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules" "No one has the answer, but one thing is true. You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you. You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide, you've got to go in after it, and never be denied. Time is running out...Let's roll. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love. We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."

October 23, 2006, 05:37 AM	#8
carl418 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: north Ga Posts: 208	Not trying to hijack this thread, but.... has anyone actually used the Harbor Freight double capacity unit? I'm seriously thinking of getting the small tumbler, and am glad to hear it works ok, but that small capacity has me thinking maybe the bigger one would work better... Any comments? __________________ Carl S&WCA \| SAF \| GOA Life \| NRA Benefactor

October 12, 2006, 07:10 AM	#2
lev83 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Posts: 130	Bob, that is the same tumbler I am currently using. It is working great for me, relatively quite, and it seems the only drawback is that the canister doesnt hold quite as many cases due to its limited size (125 - 150 38 spcl, 357 mag, 45 ACP, and 50 - 60 270 Win.) I did just receive a new RCBS vibratory tumbler as a gift and have switched to it because of increased capacity but would have no reservations recommending this one to you. In fact I am selling mine which is about a month old and is in like new condition. I will include an extra belt and a tub full of tuff-nut walnut media with it for $16 + $8 shipping if you or anyone else is interested.

October 22, 2006, 08:51 AM	#6
.357SIG Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 1999 Posts: 1,023	http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93252 Case Tumbler

October 22, 2006, 11:05 AM	#7
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,346	I have a simalar rock tumbler and it works great. quite and cleans well in a couple of hours. I put about 30 308 cases at a time in there.

October 24, 2006, 04:45 AM	#9
carl418 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: north Ga Posts: 208	Anybody? __________________ Carl S&WCA \| SAF \| GOA Life \| NRA Benefactor

October 24, 2006, 07:03 AM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I looked at it when I was getting set up to tumble black powder brass in ceramic but it was so small, I gave up on the cheap Communist Chinese stuff and got a Thumbler.

October 24, 2006, 08:57 AM	#11
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	If you're gonna spend $40 on a tumbler, you can get the tumbler from midway for that when they go on sale. I remember seeing them for $35 not too long ago. I went the really expensive route and went with the ultrasonic. There are 2 downsides to the ultrasonic. 1. must decap first. ( I do anyway.) 2. Strips ALL lube off. Run a case into the sizer without lubing it and it's stuck. Some advantages. No media in flash holes. Insanely clean cases. No hazardous dust. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.) Last edited by caz223; October 24, 2006 at 08:03 PM.

October 24, 2006, 02:18 PM	#12
willr Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2006 Posts: 356	I use one of these Harbor Freight tumblers, too. My only problem is that the belt that came with it broke, and HF didn't have one to replace it. Sooo, the next best thing was three heavy rubber bands on the drive wheels -- works just great. willr

October 24, 2006, 02:29 PM	#13
tomh1426 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Location: Youngtown Arizona Posts: 1,135	E-bay

October 25, 2006, 07:38 AM	#14
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	Midways november flyer shows a 30.00 price for the FA tumbler. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

October 30, 2006, 12:26 AM	#15
PsychoKnight Member Join Date: October 6, 2006 Posts: 29	Great Deals Yes, the $30 sale on the just-released Frankford Arsenal 12" tumbler w/ a clear lid is a killer deal, 600-9mm capacity. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=587176 Use the money you save towards a Cabela's media separator for $19, is a copy of the $29 RCBS version. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...853&hasJS=true

October 30, 2006, 02:14 AM	#16
FRANK1669 Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2006 Posts: 124	I have the single and double both they work fine they just have limited capacity I did break 1 belt and the vaccum cleaner belt i had was a near perfect match. it depends on how much reloading you do I tried to go the "cheaper route" with these.but I retired these unless i am reloading a small batch for a friend 100 -200 rounds. I shoot CAS and IDPA when i reaload my 9mm or 38 spl. I load in lota of 1500 to 2000 rounds at a time so I wound up buying a large vibratory cleaner (lyman 2500 $80 through cabelas or Natchez) in one saturday I can polish 4000 9mm cases __________________ It is better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6

October 30, 2006, 06:12 AM	#17
Dogjaw Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 560	I used to use a rock tumbler. They're small, and after a while the polishing media coats the outside and the drum stops spinning. I gave up on that and bought a Lyman turbo and am glad I spent the money. New corn cob media with polish will clean (60) of the nastiest 30-06 brass in an hour. __________________ There are three kinds of men: 1) The ones that learn by reading. 2) The few who learn by observation. 3) The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves..........