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)
Harbor Freight tumblers
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rburg
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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.
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
Member
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.
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.c...31692&prodTitle=Lyman 2500 Pro Magnum Tumbler
Just one example, there are many others for less also.
http://www.natchezss.com/Category.c...31692&prodTitle=Lyman 2500 Pro Magnum Tumbler
tappedandtagged
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I have the small one. Has worked well for my purposes. It can handle around 120 pieces of .223 brass without being over loaded.
planojack
Member
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.
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.
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?...
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
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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
Amazon.com: Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-Ez Case Tumbler: Sports & Outdoors
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...
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.
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
Member
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.
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?
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,.
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
Member
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.
Get a Thumler's Tumbler and some Stainless Steel media and never look back.
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Calaveras Slim
US Veteran
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.
I got my money's worth, for sure.
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.
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??
