After only 10 or so years of constant use, my big Dillon tumbler has died. It appears I have simply worn out the motor. I have run this thing for hours on end for days at a time processing brass. Had it melted into a lump years ago, I'd consider I had gotten my moneys worth. I called Dillon and they will replace the motor for $95. They didn't seem surprised at how long it took to wear it out. I may buy another just to speed up my tumbling.
Guinea pigs are earnest, but tend to exaggerate.
Posts: 536 | Location: Lindale, Ga | Registered: 27 May 2005
Originally posted by Slim Chance: After only 10 or so years of constant use, my big Dillon tumbler has died. It appears I have simply worn out the motor. I have run this thing for hours on end for days at a time processing brass. Had it melted into a lump years ago, I'd consider I had gotten my moneys worth. I called Dillon and they will replace the motor for $95. They didn't seem surprised at how long it took to wear it out. I may buy another just to speed up my tumbling.
Was that their large or small tumbler? My old Midway is gonna need replacement at some point...
____________________ Regards - GCF "Sometimes you make eight - Sometimes you hit dirt"
Posts: 394 | Location: Corpus Christi, TX | Registered: 10 February 2005
When you get your new tumbler remember to run it for only 3 hours. Your brass should be nice and clean by then. Running it longer will only hurt the motor.
Life's battles don't always go to the strongest or fastest man but soon or late the man who wins is the one who thinks he can.
Posts: 366 | Location: Surprise, Az. USA | Registered: 27 December 2004
I run two Lyman 1200 tumblers. The first one knocks off most of the stuff and the second one does the final polishing. The second Tumbler takes a while to get dirty and I don't really care how dirty the first one gets. All rice. Someone said to place your tumblers on a hard flat surface and not on carpeting. That way air can get underneath to cool the motor. Bought my first one in 1990. I try not to let them run all night long, but sometimes it happens!
I usually do run them about 3 hours, but I have enough brass to reload the tumblers and keep them going. I don't think Dillon ever offered a lifetime warranty on the tumblers. By any measurement I've gotten way more than my moneys worth.
Guinea pigs are earnest, but tend to exaggerate.
Posts: 536 | Location: Lindale, Ga | Registered: 27 May 2005
however, the motor burned out in less than a year after i bought it. dillon does warranty the motor (for one year) and replaced it at no charge. they did require me to send in the burned out one before replacing it, though.
since then, i always put a portable fan aimed at the base of the unit while it's on. the motor stays cool and no problems since.
bill.
Posts: 55 | Location: grant county / nm | Registered: 08 April 2006
Chaindrive is on the ball! I have an older Midway 1292 tumbler. I seem to have remembered they had a recall on these units due to motor issues. That said, mine has always been set up on blocks while running to make sure a good supply of air circulation gets to the motor..........no problems in over 10 years!
I use a lymen tumbler that I've had for about 15 years with no problems. I use a 24 hr. timer with it. I set the timer on for 3 hrs. and off for 21. If I forget to come back and shut it off, the timer does it for me. A question though, How often does everyone change their media?
Originally posted by Hangerbanger: I use a lymen tumbler that I've had for about 15 years with no problems. I use a 24 hr. timer with it. I set the timer on for 3 hrs. and off for 21. If I forget to come back and shut it off, the timer does it for me. A question though, How often does everyone change their media?
I usually change my media when it starts to "cake-up". The caking up is caused by all the crud that's accumulted over time. Instead of trying to wash off the crud with solvent, THROW IT AWAY and buy a 25 lb bag or walnut at a pet store.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who didn't !" - Benjamin Franklin. As for me, I'll never forget the FDNY343
Posts: 2580 | Location: Rhode Island, USA | Registered: 24 November 2006
I have two tumblers, a Midway and an RCBS Sidewinder, I bought the Sidewinder becasue it has the built in timer. I added a timer to my Midway by making up a heavy duty extension cord with a spring wound electrical timer in a 4 gang box with plug. That way I can set the midway and forget it just like the RCBS. A while ago Midway recalled some of their tumblers because the motors overheated and casued fires. I run my tumblers on the cement garage floor for this reason and set the timers for no more than 3 hrs. If you are using fresh media (it loses its effectiveness as the sharp edges of the grains are worn away) 3 hrs. should be plenty of time. I add Mother's Mag Wheel Polish to the corn media in the Midway, the RCBS runs walnut hulls. If you use common sense about the size of the load and the length of tumbling time your tumbler should give optimum service. At one time I considered building my own tumbler(vibratory), an extensive search for a reasonably priced motor proved fruitless. I am happy with the Midway/RCBS combination, tried the Lyman Turboflow which seemed like a good idea. It didn't work like I thought it should and I went back to the Midway.
Posts: 2343 | Location: Indiana USA | Registered: 24 October 2002
