Vibrator tumbler question??

[bananaman]

Hi, I am experiencing problems with my current tumbler. It came from Harbor Freight, and is not holding up well at all!
I don't need something that will hold more than 200 cases at a time, or be real expensive. Just one that I can expect to hold up well. It did not do a great job either. Used Lyman treated walnut media. Any suggestions to brand and models that should be considered? Thanks, Bob

 

[glen_farmer]

vibrating polisher

I got a Cabela's brand several years ago, and it's had about 200,000 shells run through it. And, I even polished a piston from a Gravely L model engine in it.

Good luck.

 

[jepp2]

I have been using Lyman tumblers since the 80's and have never had a problem. The current Lyman 1200 Pro for $45 is a good price. Mine has several thousand hours on it. The "turnover" rate is very high on this model.

 

[*chris*]

Hi, I am experiencing problems with my current tumbler. It came from Harbor Freight, and is not holding up well at all!
I don't need something that will hold more than 200 cases at a time, or be real expensive. Just one that I can expect to hold up well. It did not do a great job either. Used Lyman treated walnut media. Any suggestions to brand and models that should be considered? Thanks, Bob

I have used the large and small Harbor Freight vibratory tumblers for years to restore parts on old woodworking machines and I load them pretty heavily. What is not holding up? The 18 pound capacity one I actually run wet.

Chris

 

[Jeff423]

I have been using Lyman tumblers since the 80's and have never had a problem. The current Lyman 1200 Pro for $45 is a good price. Mine has several thousand hours on it. The "turnover" rate is very high on this model.

Me too. I bought a used Lyman 1200 and it's been perfect for 5 yrs. now.

Jeff

 

[geddylee10002000]

You might try looking at Midway's vibratory tumblers. I have a Lyman 1200 vib bowl that I have been using for 30 years and it is still going strong. The Lyman 600 is smaller and maybe what you are looking for. My latest purchase was another Lyman 1200 Turbo tumbler.

My current regiment (anal me) is decapping with a universal decapping die first. Then I load a whole bunch of cases into a plastic tub. I use a combo of hot water to cover the cases, a table spoon or two of Lemi-shine (available at Wal-Mart), a squirt or two of Dawn, and let it set for for a bit. It knocks off the dirt, etc. in no time. Cheap.

Next, I tumble in walnut shells that I bought at the pet store called lizard bedding which is nothing more than crushed walnut shells! Cheaper than tumbling media labeled "gun" stuff. Next is tumbling with "bird litter" at the pet store (which is ground corn cob) treated with a squirt or two of a automotive product called "NU Finish". Brass comes out looking as good as or better than new factory Media is cheap and if you want to extend the life of it throw in some used dryer softener sheets. I don't and just toss when it doesn't work anymore.

You will have to do some picking of media out of flash holes but it isn't bad.

 

[m657]

I lusted after a turbo model I couldn't afford, so I bought a Lyman Turbo 1200 cheapie to use until I could afford the REAL one I wanted.

That was in 1981 and I'm still using it. Heavily.

 

[bananaman]

chris, the screw that holds the lid down tight keeps stripping and the whole drum turns. At that point, it sounds like a 747 taking off. I tried rubber washers on the lid, lock waskers etc. Won't hold that lid down. Bob

 

[MWark]

RCBS Vibratory Case Cleaner, Tumblers & Scales, Reloading, Shooting : Cabela's


I have this one it's been great!

 

[62bowtie]

I have the smaller Harbor Freight tumbler with RCBS walnut media and cleaner. It works just fine. I found with any tumbler will loosen up if the load is to heavy. I put about 50-70 44 mag brass at a time, turn on and come back in a few hours with no problems. I read a lot about them walking and comming loose. I think they are just overloaded. Just like a washing machine if its rated at 20 lbs don't put 40-50 lbs in it. It won't clean right. Try it with a lighter load.

 

[62bowtie]

Just a bit more info , if you look at rcbs and the rest they are exactly the same as Harbor Freight in design. They are all probably made by the same company.

 

[growr]

And no one has yet mentioned a Dillon CV 550 tumbler. Have had one since 1988 and tumbled 100's of thousands of rounds. Finally in 2009 I think the motor went bad. Sent it to dillon for repair and they simply sent me a new one NO CHARGE! Another example of their NO BS warranty.
Randy

 

[*chris*]

chris, the screw that holds the lid down tight keeps stripping and the whole drum turns. At that point, it sounds like a 747 taking off. I tried rubber washers on the lid, lock waskers etc. Won't hold that lid down. Bob

Bob, happened to me too, maybe they use a cheap steel rod. I replaced the threaded rod with some 1/4" threaded rod and haven't had a problem in over 3 years. I used a star washer against the bottom of the bowl to prevent it from coming loose.

If the top knob isn't snug, it will shake itself apart.

Chris

 

[rburg]

Use a jam nut. Just run a second nut down against the first, then tighten it with a wrench. It takes 2, one to hold the bottom nut and another to hold the top one. Keep them handy to unload. Mine will vibrate until the top comes off if I'm not around. The Jam nut solved it.

 

[special44]

Just get yourself a Thumler Model B Rotary Tumbler, I've used one since way before vibrating tumblers came out and only had to replace the lid gasket after many years of use.
You won't be disappointed.

 

[bananaman]

chris, I thought about replacing the threaded shaft as you mentioned late last night. Good idea! Mine has started to shake itself apart, and went down on the garage floor. I wonder why it didn't break apart. I am going to fix it first! Thanks, Bob

 

[davekp]

My Harbor Freight shook itself apart twice. The first time it took 2 hours to fix. The second time it took 2 minutes to take it out to the garbage, where it belongs. I have a Hornady now, bought it because it was on sale. Much better construction than the Chinese knock-off.

 

[dickttx]

I have a Lyman 1200 and a Cabelas (Berry Mfg). The Berry runs much quieter and has much more action. But I can't really tell a lot of difference in the results.
There isn't a lot of science involved. Some kind of media, a little cheap car polish, some squares of paper towel or used dryer sheets. Turn it on, then turn it off when you think of it.

 

[03Fatboy]

I have a Lyman 1200 and a Cabelas (Berry Mfg). The Berry runs much quieter and has much more action. But I can't really tell a lot of difference in the results.
There isn't a lot of science involved. Some kind of media, a little cheap car polish, some squares of paper towel or used dryer sheets. Turn it on, then turn it off when you think of it.

Question: Do you squirt the car polish directly into the media? Also, what are the squares of paper towel for? thanks

 

[Maximumbob54]

Used dryer sheets trap a bunch of the carbon and grit much better than paper towels. Just a small squirt of NuFinish or similar polish to fresh media and let it run for a while until you don't find clumps. If it hasn't been said yet, go to Drillspot.com and buy their 14/20 corn cob blast media.