Cartridge Case Tumbler

[bigedp51]

Apparently, judging by the number of "how to clean cases and what's best" threads that routine appear, case cleaning is far more complicated than reloading itself.

Its not complicated as long as you remember less is more when wet tumbling. And read the instruction and put a timer on the tumbler.

Aim High Air Force
MAC 69-73

 

[rockquarry]

I'm unfamiliar with the wet tumbling process. Is there any advantage to wet tumbling vs. using a vibratory tumbler? I've used either a real tumbler or vibratory tumbler for several decades and the process seems to work simply and work well.

 

[bigedp51]

Any time you have firearms that throw perfectly good brass away and makes you go look for it the cases can scratch your dies and brass.

I started wet tumbling after I started loading for three AR15 rifles and got tired of scratched brass. Meaning having dirt and grit embedded in the die. And wet tumbling will scrub any dirt and grit off these cases.

If you do not have the above problem and having to polish the inside of your dies a vibratory tumbler will work fine. But it may not add the "bling" that wet tumbling adds to the cases.

 

[mikld]

Apparently, judging by the number of "how to clean cases and what's best" threads that routinely appear, case cleaning is far more complicated than reloading itself.

Case cleaning/tumbling is probably the most talked bout, but least important part of reloading!

 

[SMSgt]

Case cleaning/tumbling is probably the most talked bout, but least important part of reloading!

Followed by "What's the best (anything)?"

I seriously doubt case cleaning is the highlight of anyone's reloading process. It comes down to a matter of what is the least inconvenient/messy/annoying for each of us.

Some like wet, some like dry, some like ultrasonic, some like vibrators, some like tumblers. They all work.

I still use a Thumblers Tumbler I bought for my son many years ago. It's small, slow, and will hold only a limited number of cases. Fill it, plug it in, and forget about it for a while. (Sometimes for a day or two!) Cases come out anywhere from clean to gleaming, depending on how long I let it run--or forget about it as the case may be. But case cleaning isn't something I put much thought into. It's not that important.

 

[rockquarry]

I don't know if it's the most talked about aspect of handloading, but it would have to be close. Least important? That's probably right.

I got my first tumbler ( an industrial rotary model) in the early '80s as part of a handloading equipment buyout from a commercial reloader. I would never have bought one outright as they appeared to be nothing more than a gadget. I knew no handloaders that used such devices. Tumbling made brass look better which really isn't worth much, but it removed case lubricant residue left from the resizing process. I wouldn't be without a tumbler today, but the process is far from necessary even for making the best ammunition.

 

[Jerry M]

Dillon

Good luck

Jerry

 

[jimmyj]

I purchased a Frankford Quick and EZ Vibrating tumbler. It Polish the brass in less than an hour. So far I am pleased.

 

[JagmanFL]

I picked up a small tumbler from Harbor Freight. They promote it as a rock or jewelry cleaner. It holds 100 .45 or .357 rounds with the S.S. media. I fill it with water, add a pinch of Lemi-shine and a couple drops of Dawn dish soap and let it tumble for 4 hours. Cases come out shining clean.

 

[mrdaputer]

I picked up a small tumbler from Harbor Freight. They promote it as a rock or jewelry cleaner. It holds 100 .45 or .357 rounds with the S.S. media. I fill it with water, add a pinch of Lemi-shine and a couple drops of Dawn dish soap and let it tumble for 4 hours. Cases come out shining clean.

I started with that too great little tumbler.

 

[mikld]

The first reloaders I met were shooting brown ammo. I met them at a range in '69 and they were shooting a lot (1911s) and getting their ammo out of ammo cans (loose). Their targets came back with one hole about 2" in diameter (50' range) for a few magazines full.

 

[daddio202]

Frankford arsenal works just fine long as you don't over tighten the top. I had the main bolt in center come out along with all the plastic it was attached to ma king jus a lare hOle in center of bowl. They key to making it work perfectly is putting a plastic funnel upside down over the center bolt and cut the funnel end as to fit perfectly once top is tightened down. The funnel creates a turbo action on the media and it then turns over media and cases twice as fast. They do not sell just the bowl as a replacement so I had to buy another whole machine but I am all set now having a complete set of backup parts. Good luck

 

[MichiganScott]

I've got a Thumbler's Tumbler Model B that has literally dry tumbled multiple tens of thousands of cases since 1977. I figure my son-in-law will get it some day.

It may not work as fast as a vibratory type tumbler, but I can't complain about it's longevity.

 

[hdwhit]

Jimmyj asked:
My old case tumbler has seen better days, so I am considering replacing it.
Suggestions ?

Are you going to dry tumble or wet tumble?

If you are going to stick with dry tumbling, my suggestion is the Frankford Arsenal tumber. Does everything the brand name tumblers do for a fraction of the price. Search Amazon and eBay for best prices.

If you are going to go to wet tumbling, then how many cases are you going to tumble? If it is only a hundred or so, now and then, I would suggest the Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler (FART). But, if you are going to do large numbers, get a Harbor Freight cement mixer, assemble it using cork gaskets and gasket sealant at each of the seams and it will allow you to tumble a thousand or more cases at a time.

 

[Papa32129]

I was following these posts closely and I chose my tumbler on your opinions.
Looks like somebody is looking out for me.


Papa