Thanks for all the feedback. I also did a "search" and saw this topic had already been covered in some depth.
Things I learned
from this and other tumbler threads:
1. Midway's tumblers are a great value and hold up well. Ditto Lyman.
2. Midway's tumblers "die" frequently. Ditto Lyman.
3. Berry's tumblers are quiet.
4. Berry's tumblers noisy.
5. Dillon is well made and a good value.
6. Dillon missed the boat on their tumblers by charging twice what they're worth.
Decisions, decisions . . .
Actually, I was satisfied with my Thumler's though it's patched together - the rubber barrel is held together with strapping tape, and now the motor is running so hot it's "untouchable" after 10 minutes. Coupled with the rust and the worn drive rollers, it's not really worth repairing.
But thanks for the hints about alternate sources of media and polish - it's off the Wally Mart for me!
BTW, I probably have one of the cheapest brass separators. I bought a 1-gallon Rubbermaid "Roughneck" tote container on sale for $1.50 and drilled a LOT of 1/4" holes in the bottom. Put the cover on, hold it over a grocery bag and shake - presto, brass and media separated in about 15 seconds. The rotary separators from Dillon and Midway are some of the most over engineered, over priced "solutions" I've seen offered to reloaders, who tend to be a frugal sort.