I'm planning on buying a brass tumbler soon, and I'd like to get some opinions on which brand and model to buy. Mostly I would like to hear which tumbler NOT to buy. If you've had problems with a certain brand, I'd like to know.
Nashcat
Posts: 331 | Location: MiddleTennessee | Registered: 26 May 2002
I had a Lyman 1200 that lived in the garage for about 20 years before it cashed in. I have the Midway now. Bought it used about a year ago. Runs about six to eight hours each week, sometimes more; so far, so good.
I'd go with the Dillon or Vibra-Shine. IMO, they are two of the better tumblers on the market. Midway's no longer have the lifetime warranty and they kinda gave me a hard time getting a return number to return it even though it was recalled for fire hazard.
I had a Lyman 2200 and gave it away for a Midway tumbler , the Lyman was good but removing the pot was a pain in the a....! I molycoat all my bullets and therefore I`ll have to switch the pots quite often , but the Midway has killed itself within a few hours , it vibrated the insulation through to the bare copper wire and made a perfect flash while it did so !Now I have a Berry`s and I`m pretty happy with it !
I bought a used RCBS several years ago. It broke within a few days of the purchase. I sent it to RCBS and they reconditioned it for free. Since that time it has worked flawlessly. Great product and a great warranty. Regards Rick
Posts: 236 | Location: Adirondack Mountains of NY | Registered: 21 April 2001
Thanks for the help, guys. I think I'll go with the Dillon. My gun dealer has one in stock that I looked at. Seems to be built really heavy, plus it matches my press. If it doesn't work as well as it should, I'll post back with the info.
Nashcat
Posts: 331 | Location: MiddleTennessee | Registered: 26 May 2002
quote:Midway's no longer have the lifetime warranty and they kinda gave me a hard time getting a return number to return it even though it was recalled for fire hazard.
I was a little worried after reading this because I had put off returning mine, but finally called for an RMA yesterday. The lady asked if I was certain it was affected by the recall and did I want a check for $7.95 to cover my shipping cost or 15 Midway Bucks. I was afraid they wouldn't honor the recall since I bought it used, but she said no problem. She said it would turned around in 24 hours.
I use an RCBS Sidewinder, however, if I were buying another unit greater capacity would be nice. The big Dillon unit comes to mind. The Sidewinder is nice and I like the timer, noise level, etc. However, the limited capacity can be an issue when you're loading on a progressive press for pistol ammunition. I find I have to run four or five batches of .45 ACP through to get enough to feed my RCBS 2000 for few hours. I DO recommend you get a media seperator. Worth a ton when you're doing volume. Regards, Matt.
Posts: 525 | Location: Virginia | Registered: 26 January 2001
quote:Originally posted by Genghis: If you're serious about accuracy you don't want to be banging up your case necks in a vibrator full of walnut chips.
They're fine for pistol ammo and plinking stuff. But tumblers nick and work harden the necks.
Does anyone have a comment on this? If using a tumbler isn't the way to go for extreme accuracy, what's the best way to clean cases?
Posts: 207 | Location: Sacramento, CA, USA | Registered: 15 February 2002
Posts: 8351 | Location: Jennings Louisiana, Arkansas by way of Alabama by way of South Carloina by way of County Antrim Irland by way of Lanarkshire Scotland. | Registered: 02 November 2001
wow. All you guys are working with pretty new stuff. I'm still using my Thumblers Tumbler that I bought in 1972. My guess is that it has run about 100+ hours a year ever since. Only thing I ever have to replace is the drive belt.
Capacity is only about 75 or so 30-06's at a clip. but it has served me well.
I stopped using dry media for cleaning & polishing. I now use about a pint of steel BB's, a cup of water and ONE DROP of dish soap. An hour or so in the tumbler, and even grungy brass comes out nice and bright. A quick rinse in clean water, and I lay them in the sun to dry on a towel.
------------------ Don't tread on me! Pennsylvania Frank
Posts: 1984 | Location: The Three Lower Counties (Delaware USA) | Registered: 13 September 2001
I never tumble my rifle brass. I give the outside of the neck a quick twist back and forth with a little steel wool (you can buy brass wool from Brownells if you're anal). Then, I have an old varialbe speed/locking drill mounted to a short section of 2x6 with plumbing strap. I chuck an old bore brush with some steel wool wrapped around it. Spin it med/slow and polish/clean the inside of the neck. I usually give the brass a little rap tap tap on a piece of wood to make sure any bits of steel wool are not loose inside the case. Then I give the neck a quick twist in some moly coated shot, and run throught the Redding bushing die with Ti Nitiride bushing. No tumbling, no messy lube. Works for me. I've heard you want clean brass becuase dirty brass is hard on dies--other than that, I want clean necks for even neck tension. I'm no benchrest guru, but this works for me.
R
Posts: 648 | Location: Huskerville | Registered: 22 December 2001
I bought a rock tumbler (polisher) about 20 years ago. It cleans around a hundred 06 cases at a time, has a belt driven electric motor, a rubber bucket and shines brass very well. Someone mentioned neck hardening with tumblers? What should I look for? I've always been something of a stiff-necked-fool but I wouldn't want my brass getting stiffed too. I also tried a Vibra-tek but what a loud and irratating thing that was.
[This message has been edited by Frank Martinez (edited 04-06-2002).]
Posts: 6935 | Location: hydesville, ca. , USA | Registered: 17 March 2001
My Lyman 2200 works just fine. Never heard of the work hardenning issue, I think it would be very hard to prove, unless you run the case cleaner with very little media. If said hardening does take place, it would be infinitesimally small compared to the hardenning caused by firing, and resizing operations.
I have a big Dillon that I bought from a friend's estate. We reloaded together for years and I know this thing used to run for DAYS at a time. It was old in 1989 and still chugs along.
Posts: 1275 | Location: Fla | Registered: 16 March 2001
quote:Originally posted by Genghis: If you're serious about accuracy you don't want to be banging up your case necks in a vibrator full of walnut chips.
They're fine for pistol ammo and plinking stuff. But tumblers nick and work harden the necks.
Yeah right! Maybe if you shoot benchrest but 1/2moa rifles don't care if you tumble or not!
Posts: 3097 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: 28 November 2001
