Harbor Freight tumblers

[Jamie]

I was at a local Harbor Freight with a friend, saw they had tumblers, two different sizes. One a 5lb for $55, a 15lb one for $150. How big a tumbler do I need? Are these any good? I've been doing just pistol brass, just started saving 5.56 brass, going to start reloading that, (assuming I can find bullets, primers)

[rburg]

My oldest son gave me one for Christmas last year. He'd borrowed my Lyman he'd given me before he moved out maybe 10 years or so ago. I asked for the Lyman back, so he gave me a HF instead. It works, so I don't know what more to say. He included a big bag of pet store hampster bedding. Its walnut hulls, same as the stuff others pay a bundle for.

The only problem I had with it was it didn't have the lid on real tight. You've got to watch that. It walked itself across my garage workbench, up against the wall and then worked the top off. It shut down all by itself. I didn't check on it for a day and I figured it was a dead pigeon. But it started back up and seems to work just fine.

In the past I've heard tumblers aren't like presses. Those will last beyond you normal life if you keep the ram oiled. Tumblers have a limited life expectancy. If mine dies, I'll just buy another and not look back.

[Titegroups]

Ive got 2 of the small ones work good and have seen a bunch of brass through them. Small issue was the bowls started spinning as they ran so I put a few screw through the bottom and into the black plastic ring the bowl sits on and thats been tens of thousands of empty cases ago. I wouldnt be surprised if many of the different brands are made in the same chinese factory. Satified with both of mine.

[Rule3]

I wouldn't buy anything electrical from that junk store. For that money you can get a name brand one.

Just one example, there are many others for less also.

http://www.natchezss.com/Category.cf...gnum%20Tumbler

[tappedandtagged]

I have the small one. Has worked well for my purposes. It can handle around 120 pieces of .223 brass without being over loaded.

[SteveFi]

you can get the Berry's unit at cabelas for $58 for just the unit or for 70 you can get the bundle which inclueds 5 lbs or so of media, bottle of polish, & a seperator pan

[planojack]

My Harbor Freight tumbler died a couple of days after the warrenty ran out. I'm back to the Midway stuff. Always gave good service and a good oufit to deal with on problems.

[G-Mac]

Originally Posted by planojack

My Harbor Freight tumbler died a couple of days after the warranty ran out. I'm back to the Midway stuff. Always gave good service and a good outfit to deal with on problems.

The trick with Harbor Freight stuff is always buy the extended warranty. My local HF will do an exchange, no questions asked, if you have the extended warranty.

In fact, they told a buddy of mine that even if he runs his welding helmet over with his truck, on extended warranty, they'll replace it.

So buy whatever it is you need, destroy it a week before the extended warranty runs out, then go git you a new one.

[blujax01]

I'm with Rule3 - if I buy a mechanical device at HF and it fails that's one thing. I half expect it, to tell you the truth. Sometimes you get lucky but in the back of your mind you're waiting for that moment of spontaneous disassembly.

Simply put, Harbor Freight sells CHEAP JUNK cheap.

Electricity with its inherent shock and fire hazards takes this to another level entirely.

Do you want to chance having your heart explode or burn your house down for a $10 savings?...

[Maximumbob54]

These go on sale now and then and I would rather buy for just under $50 and pay shipping than buy the HF version:

Amazon.com: Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-Ez Case Tumbler: Sports & Outdoors

[Jamie]

Maximumbob54, I saw that one on ebay or amazon, seems like a great deal, the tumbler, sifter, media. Saw some good deals on Lyman at Natchez that Rule3 posted a link for. I would much rather get one that folks here have used and can recomend although there are more than a few that have used HF stuff and are happy. Price wise, there isn't a whole lot of difference between the name brand stuff if you look for deals and HF.

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by Jamie

Maximumbob54, I saw that one on ebay or amazon, seems like a great deal, the tumbler, sifter, media. Saw some good deals on Lyman at Natchez that Rule3 posted a link for. I would much rather get one that folks here have used and can recomend although there are more than a few that have used HF stuff and are happy. Price wise, there isn't a whole lot of difference between the name brand stuff if you look for deals and HF.

I've only been a product safety expert conducting electrical inspections for the past 31 years.

Do what you will...

[SMSgt]

Size needed relates directly to the number of cases needing tumbling. How much (at a time) do you need to clean?

I've had a Thumbler's tumbler for years, one of the little rock tumblers. I don't do large quantities, anybe a box of 50 cases at a time, and it works fine with the walnut media. Time isn't a factor with me, and a batch of cases is done about the time I finish prepping the previous one.

If you plan on tumbling 200-300 cases at a time, obviously you need something larger.

[Larry from Bend]

Originally Posted by blujax01

I'm with Rule3 - if I buy a mechanical device at HF and it fails that's one thing. I half expect it, to tell you the truth. Sometimes you get lucky but in the back of your mind you're waiting for that moment of spontaneous disassembly.

Simply put, Harbor Freight sells CHEAP JUNK cheap.

Electricity with its inherent shock and fire hazards takes this to another level entirely.

Do you want to chance having your heart explode or burn your house down for a $10 savings?...

I've had good luck with 2 small belt sanders and several pheumatic tools that I've bought @ HF. I've also bought all kinds of hand tools and such there. These get used quite a bit on the farm --- I can't think of a single failure.

I see the same "Cheap Junk" that HF sells @ Home Depot and Sears but they want (sometimes) 10 times the money for it --- and often 3-4 times.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by blujax01

I've only been a product safety expert conducting electrical inspections for the past 31 years.

Do what you will...

Not sure of your point, the Frankford Arsenal or Lyman are no good either?

[Rule3]

Harbor Freight is 100% Chinese Junk. Now for blasting media or a cheap, need it once hand tool OK. Their work bench is pretty nice also. I would buy one of those,

I bought a battery charger once, How tough can that be? Plugged it in. Nothing, no him no light Nothing. Waste of time and gas took it back . As mentioned above you can get a name brand for the same price, maybe those are made in China also but at least they have a reputation,.

[longranger]

I have a relative that is upper management with Whirlpool,which owns Kitchen Aid,Maytag,Roper and a few others."The Chinese will make you anything you want as well made as you want it." Used to be a U.L. listing meant something, what the hell happened to that ?
Get a Thumler's Tumbler and some Stainless Steel media and never look back.

[Calaveras Slim]

I bought a sonic cleaner at Harbor Freight about 15-18 months ago. $55. I suspect I been pretty lucky cuz it's still working fine. I do a mess of brass about 4 or 5 times and then into the tumbler.

I got my money's worth, for sure.

[jag22]

I bought one five or six years ago, also had the spinning but was able to work around it. That one died about six months ago but had no worries about buying another one. I shoot a couple of hundred a week so I know it got a good workout. If I knew more about electric motors I could probably get the old one working, the motor hums but won't turn. If you think about it, vibration is one of the worst things possible for any mechanical device so it is starting to destroy itself the first time you turn it on.

[Rule3]

Gee I guess I need to go buy me a HF tumbler. Us Lee guys get such abuse over the Lee Made in America Product and how bad they are, I guess the HF are so good I need one. Does it come in BLUE??

[Maximumbob54]

Lee should make a tumbler.

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by Maximumbob54

Lee should make a tumbler.

Yes, yes he should!

[Titegroups]

Any color you want as long as its blue. The only reason I have one is the store is around the corner and it was faster than ordering one. So far so good.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by Maximumbob54

Lee should make a tumbler.

Actual. Mr Lee was way ahead of his time on the problem of lead poisoning. In his manual he is not a big fan of tumbling due to the spread of lead particles,he was one of the original, "dirty brass shoots as well as clean brass" He says wash it.

They have come out with a nifty hand trimmer that sits on top of a specialized die with a rotary knob. Looks pretty slick for doing a few cases. It's in the new 2013 catalog.

It trims, chamfers and deburs all at once. It has a little catch tray underneath for the shavings. It's like $20 or less.

Lee Loader Invention Factory - YouTube

[blujax01]

Slick piece of gear. I like it!

[Maximumbob54]

Rule3,

I hope that's not the same video from Oct 2010... I've been waiting to see that and a few other things Lee has been swearing they are going to come out with for quite a while now.

[67tempest]

I use a vibratory style tumbler I purchased from Midway probably 20 years ago. Have tumbled countless rounds in it over the years and it is still going strong. Would definitely recommend the tumbler's Midway sells.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by Maximumbob54

Rule3,

I hope that's not the same video from Oct 2010... I've been waiting to see that and a few other things Lee has been swearing they are going to come out with for quite a while now.

No, It's in the new 2013 catalog. Of course it's not sold yet

Why they will not make a roller handle for the CLASSIC turret press is beyond me?? I have sent several e mails. I guess enough people have not requested it.

[Maximumbob54]

I still don't see it listed:

Case Trimming Tools - Lee Precision

My guess on the lack of a roller handle for the Classic is that if they put them out for the Deluxe then they can empty inventory of the Deluxe as I suspect they are phasing it out in favor of the Classic. That's just guessing though.

Oh, and check the date stamp on that video... Oct 2010... Still waiting on that bullet puller too! Want!!!

[tomuchiron]

I have given up on tumbling and vibrating polishers. Now use lemishine and degreaser. Mild hand agitation for 3 min. and clean. Rinse and suds with zip wax for protection, rinse, and sun dry. Whole process 10 Min.

[rkrcpa]

I use an RCBS unit marked April 17, 1987. You'll never regret buying quality tools.

[steamloco76]

I bought a Lyman 1200 back in the late 1980's. It is humming away full of .357 brass on my back porch right now. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

[358156hp]

Originally Posted by steamloco76

I bought a Lyman 1200 back in the late 1980's. It is humming away full of .357 brass on my back porch right now. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

I have two Lymans like this, a 600 & a 1200. Midway has basic 1200s for about the same price as a HF tumbler (plus shipping), so I can't get excited about the HF unit at all. It would be a different story if I were buying an HF unit for half price, but if any of my tumbles croak, they'll get replaced by another Lyman.

[doc540]

My Halbol Fleight junk tumbler has been working hard now for several months.

Since it has an electric motor, I just run my floor fan behind it to keep it extra cool.

Well worth the sale price I paid for it.

btw: best deal on tumbling media is the "lizard litter" from the pet stores, crushed walnut.

[Wee Hooker]

Originally Posted by planojack

My Harbor Freight tumbler died a couple of days after the warrenty ran out. I'm back to the Midway stuff. Always gave good service and a good oufit to deal with on problems.

As hard and long as I've tried, I've never had, nor known anyone who had luck with anything at Harbor Freight that involves an electric motor. They really seem to put the cheapest Chinese motors into their tools, generators, compressors etc. They often run OK for a few months/ 100 hrs then self destruct. ( Worth noting that many of their power tools even come with spare brush's for the motor because they know it won't last.) Consequently, while I buy allot of "stuff" there, I steer clear of their power tools unless it's for a one time job.

FWIW, I've had great luck with a small Midway Tumbler for years.

[Wee Hooker]

Originally Posted by Rule3

Actual. Mr Lee was way ahead of his time on the problem of lead poisoning. In his manual he is not a big fan of tumbling due to the spread of lead particles,he was one of the original, "dirty brass shoots as well as clean brass" He says wash it.

They have come out with a nifty hand trimmer that sits on top of a specialized die with a rotary knob. Looks pretty slick for doing a few cases. It's in the new 2013 catalog.

It trims, chamfers and deburs all at once. It has a little catch tray underneath for the shavings. It's like $20 or less.

Lee Loader Invention Factory - YouTube

Mr. Lee is right. For the first 6-7 years I was into reloading, I never polished my brass. For the first 3-4, I never even washed it. (We're talking 4-5 reload cycles on 38 cases with bullseye.) I only got my tumbler when the wife caught me with a mesh bag full of greasy brass soaking on the pot scrubber cycle in the Maytag . Worked good but I don't recommend it :-)

[rsrocket1]

Bought the "cheap piece of junk &*%#$!" Harbor Freight 5lb tumbler 3 years ago. I use it 2-3 times a week tumbling 100-200 cases at a time for about 3-4 hours using a lamp timer to shut it off. Bought a 50# bag of crushed walnut for $17 and add 2-3 used dryer sheets cut into 4 pieces.

Tumbler still going strong, lots of walnut still available and the cases come out clean and shiny.

No complaints.

The threads on the post are 6mm metric. Get a threaded knob and replace the wingnut. Also you can get 2 nuts and a wide washer to replace the aluminum post that sets the stopping point of the wingnut. That way there won't be a post to get lost when you pour out the media and the stopping point (washer) will be locked in with the 2 screws.

[smith17]

My bride gave me one of these for my birthday last week , complete with a 2 year extended warranty. I have run the dog out of it since then, almost 2,000 pieces. Found some Walmart brand cat litter today that is corncob, 10 pounds for 5 bucks. Beats the RCBS stuff.
Ed

[jsfricks]

I did buy 25# of walnut media for $23.99 at Harbor Freight the other day to use in my Thumblers tumbler.

[*chris*]

I used to restore old woodworking machines before I got into shooting. To clean all the rust, corrosion and paint off of bolts, screws and small parts I used the 18 pound tumbler wet with green cleaning triangles for several years. I also had the 5 pound model to run walnut and polish for these small screws. They work great.

I am now using the 18 pound tumbler with 5 pounds of SS pins to clean brass and it works great. I still tumble pistol brass with the walnut shells. If you get a 20% coupon out of your Sunday paper, you can buy the 18 pound tumbler for $120 right now.

[aguablanco]

I have spun wrenches for a living my entire life and I would never use a HF tool for anything other than a door stop. I do buy consumables there, gloves, rags, grinding wheels etc. I was taught to buy quality first, price second, and it has been my standard forever. There is generally a small price difference between junk and quality tools. Save your money and buy quality.
RichH

[texan4ut]

I bought the 5# one last week. New to reloading, however I thought looked like it was built better than the Frankford, Cabelas, etc. Got the Walnut medium at Petsmart. Put 500 9mm in it with about a table spoon of nufinish and a dryer sheet. Let it run about 8 hours and the brass looked great. Time will tell on the tumbler, but right now it is great.

[Titegroups]

You have to consider they all may share the motors no matter whos name got suck on the outside. Both of mine run fine.