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August 13, 2017, 03:45 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: February 20, 2012
Posts: 52
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New Wet Tumbler (steel pins)
I've used a HF single-drum wet tumbler for about 2 years now and it has served me well. It's acting funny so I am going to get another wet tumbler. My volume is ~400 rounds/month.
I'd appreciate any thoughts about the three below. My preference is to get something that is heavier duty and will last longer. I'm considering: 1) Extreme Rebel 17 http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.co...-rebel-17.html 2) Thumbler Tumbler B http://thumlerstumbler.com/rotary.html 3) Franklin Arsenal Rotary Tumbler http://www.cabelas.com/product/PLATI...-L/1811194.uts Also, do any of these have a rubber insert in the drum itself to help keep it more quiet? Last edited by wiiawiwb; August 13, 2017 at 04:04 PM. |
August 13, 2017, 04:26 PM | #2 |
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Location: DFW, TX
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I have the Thumbler Model B. It's got the rubber insert your looking for. But the build quality has always struck me as cheap. Don't care for the wing nuts on the lid either. The Rebel 17 seems to similar in construction to the Model B, just a different color. I would look at the Franklin Arsenal if buying one today. But my dream wet tumbler is like what Bigdawg sells. But he's not taking orders at this time.
http://www.biggdawgtumblers.net/ |
August 13, 2017, 04:40 PM | #3 |
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Location: North Carolina
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I have the thumbler as well. It doesn't look like industrial quality but it works fine for me and I never have had to buy media since the first purchase. Love the results-brass shines like a new penny.
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August 13, 2017, 04:42 PM | #4 |
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I have the Frankford Arsenal unit in your link and it's great. Suits my needs perfectly. Been using it quite a bit (about the same as you) for three years now and it shows no signs of wear thus far.
If it died today, there'd be another on its way to my home by tomorrow.
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August 13, 2017, 07:55 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: September 2, 2010
Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
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wiiawiwb
I also have the HF single drum , been using it for 2 years. I also have the Tumbler B Tumbler . Very happy with both , will only clean my brass this way . I have been using corn & walnut media in a vibrating drum for 25+ years , gave it all to a friend of mine. Wet is the only way to go. I use Sun detergent in stead of Dawn with very little Lemi Shine. I don't think you could go wrong with any one of the larger tumblers especially if you case count is 400. |
August 13, 2017, 08:51 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: January 1, 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,282
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Can't comment on the others, but have had my model b for 35 yrs. and have cleaned a gazillion tons of brass with it, wet and dry. Had to replace a drive belt and the lid gasket. If it gives me anymore trouble I'm getting rid of jt.
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August 13, 2017, 09:07 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: February 17, 2017
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Like Nick said, if my frankford arsenal wet tumbler died tonight I'd have another one ordered before I went to bed. It's been great!
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August 13, 2017, 09:18 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: October 20, 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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FART.
And I put a Rubbermaid bucket over it while it's running. Sounds like the dishwasher. |
August 13, 2017, 10:05 PM | #9 | |
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Join Date: August 26, 2016
Location: North Dakota
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I have the Lyman cyclone tumbler. Had it about a year. Will do 500 range pickup .223, 250 .308, or 1000x 40 s&w in 3 hours. Very quiet. I use 4 squirts of Dawn dish soap and about a tbs of lemmeshine.
It will technically do double those amounts, but I would need more pins than 5 lbs I think to get the primer pockets and insides as clean Has a 3 hour timer. I have also done dry media in it, works great for that too. I have it on a bench, very little vibration and doesn't wander at all or jump around. Quote:
Last edited by Stats Shooter; August 13, 2017 at 10:15 PM. |
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August 13, 2017, 10:37 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: March 31, 2017
Posts: 71
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Another vote for the Lyman Cyclone, it does a great job and I like the included screens to catch your empties and your pins. Everyone has different water chemistry, especially ph, but I get great results with a capful of automotive wash/wax liquid soap and about 1/4 tsp. of LemiShine.
Lyman solved a problem with .40 & 9mm cases sticking in the drum, current production ships with a new drum that has a wider driving band. |
August 13, 2017, 10:43 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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August 14, 2017, 07:50 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: December 4, 2016
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I have the Franklin Arsenal unit, and it runs great, no issues. Love it!
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August 14, 2017, 08:00 AM | #13 |
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Join Date: February 6, 2014
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I have owned the Rebel 17 for several years now and find it to be an excellent unit.
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August 14, 2017, 08:37 AM | #14 |
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I didn't like the idea of the tiny batches one had to do on the available wet tumblers so I built my own using 100lb chlorine buckets. I didn't use any belts or rollers, just a gear motor I got off eBay for $35. Made a bearing block and used a love joy coupling for a direct drive.
It will do 3000, 45 ACP cases per load, photo attached. I made some really big ones a few years ago for a local company. They do 15 gallons of brass per drum, heavy enough an electric overhead gantry hoist is needed to load and unload them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlZOYjmAnO0 Last edited by jmorris; August 15, 2017 at 08:52 AM. |
August 14, 2017, 09:33 AM | #15 |
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Location: Plainview , Long Island NY
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The post was for the average shooter cleaning brass , jmorris must be in the brass cleaning business . even made the posts smaller after his post. I don't want to have to use a weight belt to remove the drum. Anyway, nice machine jmorris.
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August 14, 2017, 01:56 PM | #16 |
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Location: Alaska
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My brother swears by this one, I seldom if ever find him wrong on equipment (other things, well....)
https://www.shootersconnectionstore....ler-P3659.aspx |
August 15, 2017, 03:36 PM | #17 |
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Join Date: July 28, 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Thanks for the headsup about the Lyman Cyclone, they are sending me a replacement drum ASAP. Personally it does everything I need with my brass. I even ordered an additional 2.5lbs of pins for running full loads on it.
I was considering getting an additional F.A.R.T., but now I don't see a real need for it. To the OP, I'd recommend the F.A.R.T or the Lyman Cyclone personally. |
August 16, 2017, 03:51 PM | #18 |
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I've been using my Thumblers mod B for years now without a hint of trouble. Problems with the lid gasket suggests that the wingnuts may have been over tightened or tightened in a manner that warped the lid.
My method has been to tighten in a cross pattern while not applying too much torque at one time. Leave it looser than you think you need. Leaks, if you have them, appear in the form of bubbles, not a torrent of water. The nuts do not have to be very tight at all to get a good seal if the lid is flat and not warped by over tightening. |
August 16, 2017, 05:18 PM | #19 |
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Location: Minnesota
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Ever since I got the FART I don't ever use my Vibratory tumbler.
The the FART, you'll love it. |
August 16, 2017, 05:34 PM | #20 |
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Location: Kansas
Posts: 110
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Thumblers upgraded to the Rebel base when the plastic roller bushings wore out, much quieter now.
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