Tumbler Recommendation

The_Vigilante · July 7, 2009, 09:08 PM

I purchased two Frankford Arsenal tumblers (one from Midway and the other from Sportsman's Warehouse) within several months of each other. Both of them just gave up the ghost several months past the warranty date-how convenient for Frankford Arsenal). So I am now in the market for a new tumbler and am looking for recommendations that do not include Frankford Arsenal. Dillon's tumblers look good but are soooooo expensive-even their cheapest is $129. I checked out the RCBS Vibratory Tumbler and it gets good reviews on Midway and also appears to have a better warranty than any of the tumblers I've reviewed. Does anyone here use the RCBS? Review of pros and cons. Thanks in advance

Farmland · July 7, 2009, 09:17 PM

I have only used a Dillon, though it is 15 years old so I know it is more expensive now than the what I paid for mine. However 15 years of some hard use is a pretty good indication of how well it has worked for me.

RCBS probably makes them just a good, I know that the newer stuff that I have bought for reloading my rifle's seem very well made.

BobCat45 · July 7, 2009, 10:24 PM

My experience with Midway tumblers echos yours, except my first one lasted several years. The second went about two years and quit.

Bought one from Harbor Freight that lasted about a week - took it back, full refund, no questions. It was more powerful than the Midway ones but took the same bowls; probably the same factory in China.

If you look at Grainger (grainger.com) you will find that a couple of hundred dollars for a good industrial metal-finishing tumbler is not unusual.

I'm too cheap to buy a good one, and plan to use a dead Midway one, bolted to a 2x10, with a window cut out of the base for a belt to run through, an externally-mounted fan motor from e.g. surpluscenter.com, pulleys, and a belt.

What destroys them is that the motor is vibrating along with the bowl - it is deliberately unbalanced by a weight clamped to the shaft, causing the vibration. What I intend is the motor is stationary and the eccentric-weighted shaft is bolted to the bowl, run by a V- or toothed belt. It is all pie-in-the-sky right now; if you have the dough, buy the Dillon or an industrial one from Grainger or Thumbler's Tumblers.

Sorry to ramble on so. No data on RCBS tumblers but all their other tools I've used have been first rate.

Regards,
Andrew

CortJestir · July 7, 2009, 11:15 PM

I've been quite happy with my Cabela's Tumbler Kit. Pretty inexpensive compared to others. Check out the reviews on their site...

margiesex · July 8, 2009, 08:38 AM

I bought a Cabela's eons ago - literally 10,000's plus through it, and although the clear top is scratched and I have duct tape on the rims to quiet it down - it still shines them up like new!

If mine quits - I'm back to Cabela's for another.

I also use almost exclusively their polish - outstanding shine in a small amount of time!

Can't say enough about it!

Good luck however you go!

God bless

Margiesex

And remember - hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both - and soon!

CowTowner · July 8, 2009, 09:38 AM

I use a Hornaday after having a Frankfort tumbler go south like yours.

DaveTrig · July 8, 2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CortJestir

I've been quite happy with my Cabela's Tumbler Kit. Pretty inexpensive compared to others. Check out the reviews on their site...

+1 on Cabela's kit.

azar92 · July 8, 2009, 12:25 PM

The Cabela's models are made by Berry's, who seem to have a pretty good reputation for quality tumblers. Mine is a Cabela's/Berry's and it's great. I've only had mine for about 4 months and a few hundred rounds through it though...

NWPilgrim · July 8, 2009, 03:02 PM

I have a Midway 1292 (not Frankford, actual Midway branded) that is still going strong after 20+ years. I see they no longer have their own brand of tumblers though.

I would think any of the mainline brands would be reliable: Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, Dillon. They sure have gone up in price since 1988!

gun44 · July 9, 2009, 06:10 AM

Been using a Thumler's Tumbler since 1974, and other than a couple of belts, it is still running flawlessly!

mike6567 · July 10, 2009, 01:59 AM

+1 on Cabelas. Great Value! I've had mine for about 2 months now and have cleaned about 3000 .223 and.40 cases.

firewrench044 · July 10, 2009, 06:51 AM

RCBS tumbler --

my RCBS vibratory tumbler failed just before the warranty expired
I mailed it to them, and they returned a new tumbler to me
no charge ( free )
I have learned this has happened to many others, in other words
this means many of then fail some in warranty some out of warranty
it does not say much for the quality of this tumbler

I had expected better quality from a big name ( RCBS )

Art in CT · July 10, 2009, 09:29 AM

I have had an RCBS Sidewinder Case Tumbler for the last 11 years and it is still going strong. I have used it so much that I had to purchase a second plastic rotating case. The first case still works but having 2 is more convienent. I would highly reccomend this tumbler. I use walnut shell media and Dillon polish in it.

Shoot Straight!
Art In CT

RKG · July 10, 2009, 10:04 AM

Ditto Gun44.

Most recently my Thumblers' motor began emitting bearing noises. Found the cup bearing in the back of the motor was dry, tight and squeaky. Cleaned and lubed and the motor now runs like new.

taylorce1 · July 10, 2009, 10:13 AM

I have a Lyman Turbo Tumbler I bought at a local Wal-Mart that has been going strong for over 10 years now. It is there smallest model, nothing fancy but it works without fail. If it breaks I'll probably go back to a Lyman.

choicesmade24 · July 10, 2009, 11:40 AM

I know this seems cheap and stuff but I made this and it works awesome.

http://www.speedsoft.com/theashes/tu...irections.html

It work so well and it cost me $4.00 dollars to make with stuff I had around the house.

My dad likes it so well that he sold his lyman and I built him one. I used car blower motors for the motors. (I have a 110 to 12 volt converter box).

If you set it on a piece or carpet or a rug it is very quiet.

Again I know it is cheaping out in a way but I can't argue with the results.

gun44 · July 10, 2009, 01:20 PM

About once a year, I use my air compressor at about 30 lbs of pressure to blow out the dust and stuff from my Thumlers motor, and then oil it up! Like I said, been running flawlessly for all these years! I think I paid about 49.00 for it new

Diamond LawDawg · July 10, 2009, 06:10 PM

For me you get what you pay for....I load 45 Colt avg 600 rds @ month and the brass looks new each time....CV-500 using peacan shells and tumbler polish media

rk219 · July 12, 2009, 03:22 PM

I'm also looking for a tumbler and think I'm going to go with the dillon 2001, buy once cry once.

Eagle15 · July 12, 2009, 04:29 PM

Have you tried taking it apart? I bought a cheapo tumbler, had to take it apart and stake the threaded shaft everywhere there was a nut. Once I did that it works great. If it gives any more grief though I'll probably buy a Lyman or RCBS, if I'm working again I will get a Dillon.

wncchester · July 12, 2009, 04:47 PM

"Both of them just gave up the ghost several months past the warranty date-how convenient for Frankford Arsenal)."

Gave up the ghost doesn't tell us much. Did they stop viberating due to a problem with the shaft weight? Stop runnin due to a broken electric wire? Stop running due to a stuck motor shaft? Did the bowl springs break? It makes a difference if you want to repair the ones you have, otherwise buy what you feel best about.

There really isn't much difference between any of them. One moving part, the motor shaft. One shaking bowl. Some springs. A base, and a lid. ??

Spend a lot or go "cheap", it probably won't make a lot of long term difference.

billcarey · July 12, 2009, 05:04 PM

I use a Thumler's rotary tumbler. It's been in use for about 20 yrs doing brass, rocks and other small parts. I've replaced the belt with one from a sewing machine shop 3 times and kept the roller bushings lubed. It runs for days at a time with rocks and still works like new. Brass is usually 2-4 hrs with walnut. If it breaks I'll buy another or put a new motor in it.

bc

frumious · July 12, 2009, 09:54 PM

choicesmade24, that is AWESOME.

-cls

choicesmade24 · July 12, 2009, 10:02 PM

I know its cheap but it works good here is a pic of the one I built.

toomb · July 13, 2009, 08:04 AM

choicesmade24....awesome post! i'm gonna try it!

July 7, 2009, 09:08 PM	#1
The_Vigilante Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2008 Location: Far West Texas Posts: 200	Tumbler Recommendation I purchased two Frankford Arsenal tumblers (one from Midway and the other from Sportsman's Warehouse) within several months of each other. Both of them just gave up the ghost several months past the warranty date-how convenient for Frankford Arsenal). So I am now in the market for a new tumbler and am looking for recommendations that do not include Frankford Arsenal. Dillon's tumblers look good but are soooooo expensive-even their cheapest is $129. I checked out the RCBS Vibratory Tumbler and it gets good reviews on Midway and also appears to have a better warranty than any of the tumblers I've reviewed. Does anyone here use the RCBS? Review of pros and cons. Thanks in advance

July 8, 2009, 08:38 AM	#5
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	Like above I bought a Cabela's eons ago - literally 10,000's plus through it, and although the clear top is scratched and I have duct tape on the rims to quiet it down - it still shines them up like new! If mine quits - I'm back to Cabela's for another. I also use almost exclusively their polish - outstanding shine in a small amount of time! Can't say enough about it! Good luck however you go! God bless Margiesex And remember - hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both - and soon!

July 8, 2009, 09:38 AM	#6
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	I use a Hornaday after having a Frankfort tumbler go south like yours. __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

July 8, 2009, 03:02 PM	#9
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,357	I have a Midway 1292 (not Frankford, actual Midway branded) that is still going strong after 20+ years. I see they no longer have their own brand of tumblers though. I would think any of the mainline brands would be reliable: Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, Dillon. They sure have gone up in price since 1988! __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

July 9, 2009, 06:10 AM	#10
gun44 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 125	Thumler's Tumbler................ Been using a Thumler's Tumbler since 1974, and other than a couple of belts, it is still running flawlessly!

July 7, 2009, 09:17 PM	#2
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	I have only used a Dillon, though it is 15 years old so I know it is more expensive now than the what I paid for mine. However 15 years of some hard use is a pretty good indication of how well it has worked for me. RCBS probably makes them just a good, I know that the newer stuff that I have bought for reloading my rifle's seem very well made.

July 7, 2009, 10:24 PM	#3
BobCat45 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: East Bernard, TX Posts: 534	My experience with Midway tumblers echos yours, except my first one lasted several years. The second went about two years and quit. Bought one from Harbor Freight that lasted about a week - took it back, full refund, no questions. It was more powerful than the Midway ones but took the same bowls; probably the same factory in China. If you look at Grainger (grainger.com) you will find that a couple of hundred dollars for a good industrial metal-finishing tumbler is not unusual. I'm too cheap to buy a good one, and plan to use a dead Midway one, bolted to a 2x10, with a window cut out of the base for a belt to run through, an externally-mounted fan motor from e.g. surpluscenter.com, pulleys, and a belt. What destroys them is that the motor is vibrating along with the bowl - it is deliberately unbalanced by a weight clamped to the shaft, causing the vibration. What I intend is the motor is stationary and the eccentric-weighted shaft is bolted to the bowl, run by a V- or toothed belt. It is all pie-in-the-sky right now; if you have the dough, buy the Dillon or an industrial one from Grainger or Thumbler's Tumblers. Sorry to ramble on so. No data on RCBS tumblers but all their other tools I've used have been first rate. Regards, Andrew

July 7, 2009, 11:15 PM	#4
CortJestir Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Southern CT Posts: 1,406	I've been quite happy with my Cabela's Tumbler Kit. Pretty inexpensive compared to others. Check out the reviews on their site...

July 8, 2009, 12:25 PM	#8
azar92 Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 209	The Cabela's models are made by Berry's, who seem to have a pretty good reputation for quality tumblers. Mine is a Cabela's/Berry's and it's great. I've only had mine for about 4 months and a few hundred rounds through it though...

July 10, 2009, 01:59 AM	#11
mike6567 Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Posts: 14	+1 on Cabelas. Great Value! I've had mine for about 2 months now and have cleaned about 3000 .223 and.40 cases.

July 10, 2009, 06:51 AM	#12
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 381	RCBS tumbler -- my RCBS vibratory tumbler failed just before the warranty expired I mailed it to them, and they returned a new tumbler to me no charge ( free ) I have learned this has happened to many others, in other words this means many of then fail some in warranty some out of warranty it does not say much for the quality of this tumbler I had expected better quality from a big name ( RCBS )

July 10, 2009, 09:29 AM	#13
Art in CT Junior Member Join Date: April 21, 2000 Location: Stratford, CT Posts: 4	My Trusty Tumbler I have had an RCBS Sidewinder Case Tumbler for the last 11 years and it is still going strong. I have used it so much that I had to purchase a second plastic rotating case. The first case still works but having 2 is more convienent. I would highly reccomend this tumbler. I use walnut shell media and Dillon polish in it. Shoot Straight! Art In CT

July 10, 2009, 10:04 AM	#14
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 569	Ditto Gun44. Most recently my Thumblers' motor began emitting bearing noises. Found the cup bearing in the back of the motor was dry, tight and squeaky. Cleaned and lubed and the motor now runs like new.

July 10, 2009, 10:13 AM	#15
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,498	I have a Lyman Turbo Tumbler I bought at a local Wal-Mart that has been going strong for over 10 years now. It is there smallest model, nothing fancy but it works without fail. If it breaks I'll probably go back to a Lyman.

July 10, 2009, 11:40 AM	#16
choicesmade24 Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 57	I know this seems cheap and stuff but I made this and it works awesome. http://www.speedsoft.com/theashes/tu...irections.html It work so well and it cost me $4.00 dollars to make with stuff I had around the house. My dad likes it so well that he sold his lyman and I built him one. I used car blower motors for the motors. (I have a 110 to 12 volt converter box). If you set it on a piece or carpet or a rug it is very quiet. Again I know it is cheaping out in a way but I can't argue with the results.

July 10, 2009, 01:20 PM	#17
gun44 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 125	RKG.............. About once a year, I use my air compressor at about 30 lbs of pressure to blow out the dust and stuff from my Thumlers motor, and then oil it up! Like I said, been running flawlessly for all these years! I think I paid about 49.00 for it new

July 10, 2009, 06:10 PM	#18
Diamond LawDawg Member Join Date: May 20, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 75	Dillion For me you get what you pay for....I load 45 Colt avg 600 rds @ month and the brass looks new each time....CV-500 using peacan shells and tumbler polish media

July 12, 2009, 03:22 PM	#19
rk219 Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Posts: 28	I'm also looking for a tumbler and think I'm going to go with the dillon 2001, buy once cry once.

July 12, 2009, 04:29 PM	#20
Eagle15 Junior Member Join Date: July 12, 2009 Location: Deep South Posts: 3	Have you tried taking it apart? I bought a cheapo tumbler, had to take it apart and stake the threaded shaft everywhere there was a nut. Once I did that it works great. If it gives any more grief though I'll probably buy a Lyman or RCBS, if I'm working again I will get a Dillon.

July 12, 2009, 04:47 PM	#21
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"Both of them just gave up the ghost several months past the warranty date-how convenient for Frankford Arsenal)." Gave up the ghost doesn't tell us much. Did they stop viberating due to a problem with the shaft weight? Stop runnin due to a broken electric wire? Stop running due to a stuck motor shaft? Did the bowl springs break? It makes a difference if you want to repair the ones you have, otherwise buy what you feel best about. There really isn't much difference between any of them. One moving part, the motor shaft. One shaking bowl. Some springs. A base, and a lid. ?? Spend a lot or go "cheap", it probably won't make a lot of long term difference. Last edited by wncchester; July 12, 2009 at 08:13 PM.

July 12, 2009, 05:04 PM	#22
billcarey Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 273	I use a Thumler's rotary tumbler. It's been in use for about 20 yrs doing brass, rocks and other small parts. I've replaced the belt with one from a sewing machine shop 3 times and kept the roller bushings lubed. It runs for days at a time with rocks and still works like new. Brass is usually 2-4 hrs with walnut. If it breaks I'll buy another or put a new motor in it. bc

July 12, 2009, 09:54 PM	#23
frumious Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2009 Location: Carrollton TX Posts: 523	choicesmade24, that is AWESOME. -cls

July 12, 2009, 10:02 PM	#24
choicesmade24 Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 57	homemade I know its cheap but it works good here is a pic of the one I built.

July 13, 2009, 08:04 AM	#25
toomb Member Join Date: September 3, 2008 Location: new york Posts: 42	choicesmade24....awesome post! i'm gonna try it!