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Rotary tumblers (Read 10287 times)

KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 634 Location: Wyoming Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Rotary tumblers Dec 11^th, 2019 at 1:59pm	Print Post
	I am in the market for a new rotary/wet tumbler, please help me narrow the field. I have read many posts and comments without arriving at a make/model that I feel comfortable buying. My main interest is to clean the brass and want clean primer pockets, shiny is second. Leary of peening the cases as I read that can happen, capacity of say 50-75 45-90 shells. Do the ceramic or steel pins get the pockets clean, do the pins jam in the hole? The Lyman seems to have a lot of good comments and is priced reasonable as are a couple others, the Frankford is a possibility too. What shape-size ceramic should I get if the pins are not favorable? thanks kw


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Reverend Al Oldtimer Offline Posts: 568 Location: Victoria BC Canada Joined: Jun 25^th, 2016	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #1 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 2:13pm	Print Post
	I bought the Frankford Arsenal ss pin wet tumbler on the recommendation of a friend about 2 years ago and I'm totally happy with it. I use the supplied ss pins (and even bought an extra 5 pound package of pins) and have never had any trouble with pins sticking in the primer pockets. Some of the smaller cases have had the odd pin stuck in the neck so I always spot check the cases before I reload them. They will come out bright and shiny whether you want it or not! I fill the tumbler about 90% full of water and then add a good squirt of Dawn dish washing soap and a tsp of Lemishine. After tumbling I rinse thoroughly with fresh water and then dry them in a food dehydrator overnight. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

	I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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GrumpyBear Full Member Offline Posts: 139 Location: Western,Pa. Joined: Sep 30^th, 2017	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #2 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 2:14pm	Print Post
	I use a Rebel 17 with stainless pins, primer pockets are clean, brass is clean inside and out, no peening detected. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) My buddy uses a Thumbler's Tumbler and a Frankford, both with good results,stainless pins in both.

	Μολὼν λαβέ Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. Shash-yazhi -bear-cub Brian
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KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 634 Location: Wyoming Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #3 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 2:26pm	Print Post
	well your cases look great, and if the pins get the pockets clean i am on board. I just loathe cleaning primer pocket crud out. thanks kw


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2612 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #4 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 4:55pm	Print Post
	I had a Lyman Cyclone tumbler and I do NOT recommend it. It peened the majority of the cases regardless of my trying all of the various tricks that friendly internet forum posters swore would solve the problem . I switched to a low speed Thumblers Tumbler and cannot be happier. It is excellent. I use stainless steel pins and tumble with a squirt of dish detergent and a half teaspoon of Lemishine Booster. No peening and the cases come out looking like new. Chris.


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critter68 Senior Forum Member ASSRA Board Member Offline Posts: 293 Location: Wisconsin Joined: May 31^st, 2018	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #5 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 5:18pm	Print Post
	I have the same experience and process of rev al. wouldn't clean any other way now. I have seen no peening.

	ASSRA LIFE#294 NRA LIFE #194353342
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John Boy Ex Member	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #6 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 5:44pm	Print Post
	I've used the Lortone discontinued dual QT6, 12 lb tumbler for several years with Grande Strat-O-Sheen burnishing solution - 3mm Kramer plastic ceramic media and a 3 second squirt of Dawn 3x dish soap ... and will compare my inside & outside bright cleaned brass with anyone ... with zero dents on the case mouths (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)
	« Last Edit: Dec 11^th, 2019 at 5:58pm by »

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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 4482 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #7 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 7:17pm	Print Post
	Call me old fashioned or something but I use a Midway vibratory and walnut shell.


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ron Oldtimer Offline Posts: 579 Location: Augusta Maine Joined: Nov 15^th, 2009	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #8 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 7:34pm	Print Post
	I have been using the Franklin for a couple years and I have not had any problem. I suggest you get a magnet with a on off handle to pick up the pins. It makes life easier moving the pins. ron


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18077 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #9 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 8:02pm	Print Post
	I use a Lortone QT12 with the single large barrel. And I use ceramic media also. I personally have tried both SS pins, and ceramic media with cylindrical shape. I much prefer the ceramic as it never dings cases, and never sticks in the primer pockets. It also cleans faster, and is very easy clean up.

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KFW Oldtimer Offline Posts: 634 Location: Wyoming Joined: Dec 18^th, 2016	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #10 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 9:14pm	Print Post
	Val how many large cases do you run in it (the qt-12) at one time? do your round ceramic cylinders get the pockets cleaned out so no hand cleaning is needed? i like the fact it is american made. kw


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ohnomrbillk Newbie Offline Posts: 9 Location: NW Missouri Joined: Dec 22^nd, 2011	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #11 - Dec 11^th, 2019 at 9:51pm	Print Post
	I’ve had a Thumbler. It isn’t hard to overload it. The rebel 17 is much improved comparatively. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18077 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #12 - Dec 12^th, 2019 at 9:20am	Print Post
	KFW wrote on Dec 11^th, 2019 at 9:14pm: Val how many large cases do you run in it (the qt-12) at one time? do your round ceramic cylinders get the pockets cleaned out so no hand cleaning is needed? i like the fact it is american made. kw I can run a couple hundred .45-70 cases, and that's about max. I run the barrel about 1/3-1/2 full of ceramic. The pockets don't come out shiny clean, they are still dark. But they are clean enough for my use. The ceramic media I use is about 3/8" long, and less than 1/8" diameter. They are cut off squared on each end, not angled like some I see at various sources. I've contemplated trying some of the round ball ceramic, but the cylinders work so well I see no reason to switch. This is the last batch I did. About 90 minutes run time. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

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Just Jim Full Member Offline Posts: 212 Joined: May 11^th, 2019	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #13 - Dec 13^th, 2019 at 10:36am	Print Post
	I've been following the discussion here. I've never used one of the rotary tumblers before, but I intend to add one - probably the RCBS - when I get to the new home. I'm glad to see the good results most are getting. If anyone has any experience with the current model of the RCBS tumbler, I'd appreciate hearing their thoughts on it.


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Skalkaho Oldtimer Offline Posts: 866 Location: Montana Joined: Sep 29^th, 2006	Re: Rotary tumblers Reply #14 - Dec 13^th, 2019 at 11:44am	Print Post
	I burned out a RCBS tumbler. I wore out the grooves on tub to get traction to spin tub, Wrapped with inner tube for A couple years. I finally bought the Thumblers Tumbler from BACO, low speed. Cant beat it, have been using my ceramics for over 15 years,dont wear out. A dash of Dawn soap and let it run for 1 1/2 hrs does well. Going on 3 year+. For bottle nose brass I sonic clean ,A dash of Dawn soap, teaspoon Lemi Shine Dishwasher soap. 30 minutes look brand new. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

	May the Bullet Gods be with you.......
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