Tumblers

[palmetto99]

Howdy folks. Looking at new tumblers. I've been looking at some of the "off" brands and wondering if anyone can give me some input. I've come across ones by Smartreloader, Cabela's and Midsouth's. I know what you get what you pay for, but trying to stretch a buck. Thanks all.

 

[Stillwater788]

I had good service from my Midway tumbler - Frankfort Arsenal brand. The motor burned up after six years of continuous service and Midway replaced at their expense, even though it only had a one year warrenty.

 

[kshock]

If you have a Harbor Freight near you they sell several sizes of various tumblers. They have both the vibrating type and the true tumblers. Prices are right but I have no info on the quality. I intend to try one of the drum types here soon.

 

[Rule3]

I have the Lyman. This picture is not correct it has the slots in in the lid which I do not like. I cut a piece of heavy plastic to go under the lid. That was a pain so I put duct tape on it now. I use it in the garage and did not want dust flying around. I asked them for a lid with no slots but say they do not have one??

Lyman 1200 Pro Turbo Tumbler - Natchez Shooters Supplies

As for Harbor Freight, I looked at theirs but it is no bargain and I have returned everything electrical I every bought there. Never again. Their stuff is junk. I did buy 25lbs of fine walnut media their. Figure they can't screw that up to bad.

 

[growr]

I have used a Dillon tumbler...the CV500 for about 20 years. Tumbled a million rounds if I have tumbled one....motor went bad...sent it to Dillon, they did not replace the motor as I had asked them to do.... They sent me a brand new one....NO CHARGE!!! Can you believe that?
You get what you pay for........
Maybe it will work for you as well.
Randy

 

[moxie]

I've used an old Midway Model 1088 vibratory machine for over 20 years, the kind with the Rubbermaid container attached by big rubber bands and hooks. Still works great!

 

[max]

Like the above post, I have had my Midway for years and it gets used a bunch.

 

[Wee Hooker]

MIdway here too but I wouldn't heasitate to buy any brand. It's a motor with a counter weight attached to a plastic tub. It's not exactly high tech and ( at least for me) they don't run for more than a few hours at a time every now and then. Heck, I tumbled for years in the old ladies dryer using a pickle jug and a quilt. (while she was not home of course!)

 

[whelenshooter]

I had two bad experiences with the Lyman Turbotumbler. The first one I bought mail-order didn't work at all. The company I purchased it from told me to contact Lyman. Lyman said they wouldn't replace it. I was stupid enough to buy another Lyman Turbo-1200. It ran for an hour, then died. Again, Lyman would do nothing about it, but I had bought this one from a sporting goods store and the store gave me my money back. I then bought a Thumler's Ultra-Vibe 18 and have used it for 25 years with no problems. One thing nice about the Thumler's Ultra-Vibe 18 is that the motor is attached by a couple of bolts. If the motor dies, you can remove it and replace it easily. The Lyman tumblers, at the time I bought them, had the motors contained in a plastic housing that would have to be broken to get to the motor. My personal feeling is that you need to buy a good one from a good company, or you could end up eating the thing. These things are designed to VIBRATE, therefore they are essentially trying to shake themselves apart! You need to have something tough if you want it to last. If I was going to buy anything other than a Thumler's tumbler, it would be a Dillon. Dillon backs their stuff so well you know you won't get hosed if you buy their stuff.

 

[Beans]

I have used a Dillon tumbler...the CV500 for about 20 years. Tumbled a million rounds if I have tumbled one....motor went bad...sent it to Dillon, they did not replace the motor as I had asked them to do.... They sent me a brand new one....NO CHARGE!!! Can you believe that?
You get what you pay for........
Maybe it will work for you as well.
Randy

Dillon just replaced my FL2000 tumbler, which I had purchased in 1988, for free. The motor went bad. Dillon informed me that a tumbler purchased before 7/1/99 had a lifetime warranty and a tumbler purchased after that only has a one year warranty.

My new CV2000, which Dillon provided under warranty. now only has a one years warranty.

If this one lasts 22 years, I don't think I will try and get it replaced. I'll be 88 years old by then.

I jokingly told them they needed to improved their products if they were going to wear out that fast, as it had only lasted 22 years and many, many, many rounds.


RCBS also sent me some replacement parts, under warranty, for my RCBS Jr, which I had purchased new in 1970.


KUDOS for both these companies.

 

[JOliver]

I just bought a Lyman a few months ago from Midway for about 46 bucks,was on sale I think ...I was wanting a bigger one and then wanted some of the neat features but I finally bit the bullet and got the cheapest Lyman they had ...cant complain,I have tumbled about 4000 38s and its working great.

 

[cptdco]

"I've used an old Midway Model 1088 vibratory machine for over 20 years, the kind with the Rubbermaid container attached by big rubber bands and hooks. Still works great!"

Same here, but it might be 25 years.

 

[Rangerphil]

Try a Cabelas Tumbler

I have had great luck with the tumbler sold by Cabelas. It's made by Berry manufacturing and is priced right.

 

[Jerry M]

I have used a Dillon tumbler...the CV500 for about 20 years. Tumbled a million rounds if I have tumbled one....motor went bad...sent it to Dillon, they did not replace the motor as I had asked them to do.... They sent me a brand new one....NO CHARGE!!! Can you believe that?
You get what you pay for........
Maybe it will work for you as well.
Randy

+1 for Dillon. Great piece of equipment.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[palmetto99]

Throw a question out and watch the info come in. Thanks guys.

 

[jt1]

My orange midway tumbler is still going strong, after many thousands and thousands of rounds. I think I bought it in the early 90's.

John

 

[jepp2]

I have 3 Lyman tumblers. Never had any problems with any, and they have had substantial use.

Don't be afraid to experiment with quantity of media. Turnover improves as you increase the fill level.

 

[6shot]

you can't go wrong with a thumlers tumbler. worth every penny! thats my 2cents worth.

 

[GyMac]

I've been happily using my Dillon CV-500 for about 20 years. It replaced my Thumler's Tumbler when that one wore out after 6 or 7 years.

 

[m657]

I couldn't afford the one I wanted so I bought a Lyman 1200 Turbo to do me until I was bucks up.

It's had plenty of hard use for the past 27 years and still running with no issues.

 

[EMT Edu]

I purchased a Cabella's tumbler this spring, haven't used or abused it much, but it works great. It was on sale and was the least expensive at the time.

 

[m37dodge]

You can try Harbor Freight asx well for something cheap.
But I recommend, Dillion Precision products for their "NO BS Warranty" if it breaks or wears out they repair or replace it.

 

[Cary]

I purchased a Cabella's tumbler this spring, haven't used or abused it much, but it works great. It was on sale and was the least expensive at the time.

Several years ago when I was shopping for a tumbler set up I noticed the unit Cabela's sold under their brand name was the same unit RCBS was selling under their brand name. RCBS is known for good reloading equipment and I didn't think they would be carrying an inferior product. As the two units were the same but with different names attached I went with the Cabela's unit and saved a good chunk of money as the RCBS unit was more money. I also trust Cabela's as a company that carries good products and stands behind them as well. The Cabela's unit I purchased has served me well and I have had zero problems with it. I purchased the kit and also the rotary media separator with it. The rotary media separator works good but the small sifting pan that comes in the kit should do the job as well. Here is a link to the unit on the Cabela's site.
Cabela's Case Cleaning Accessories
Cary

 

[aphelion]

My vote goes to the Dillon, as well. I looked around for a replacement for my 20 year old Midway last year, and the Dillon seems to be head and shoulders in quality above the others. Beefier contruction, better cord and switch, etc. It is a lot quieter than the old Midway, too. Costs a little more, but looks to be worth it.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I've had good luck with the Midway tumbler, had it for a long time and still working just fine.

 

[ballistic]

I have only used the Frankford Arsenal tumbler that was on sale from Midway. About 50,000 pistol and rifle cases have been cleaned and it still runs great.
I wish it had a larger capacity but, can't complain for the price.
If it ever dies I may look for a bigger one at that time.