Case tumbler, what's best?

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  • Jon Field
    Senior Member
    • Aug 2009
    • 191

    #1

    Case tumbler, what's best?

    I'm getting ready to buy a tumbler, any ideas as to a good one?

    Thank.
    Freedom is not free, the cost can be seen everyday, for it is engraved in marble, cast in bronze and highlighted with little American flags!
  • Litt'le Lee
    Senior Member
    • Aug 2009
    • 653

    #2
    use the small Dillon Vibe-had it many years

    Comment

    • Dan Shapiro
      Senior Member
      • Aug 2009
      • 5864

      #3
      +1 on the Dillion............

      Dillon Precision — the world's finest reloading equipment. Progressive reloading presses, dies, accessories, and components. Made in Scottsdale, AZ since 1977.
      "No man's life, liberty, or property is safe, while Congress is in session." Mark Twain

      Comment

      • Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery
        Sponsor
        • Jul 2013
        • 195

        #4
        I use Dillon's CV-2001, which is their large vibratory tumbler. We use it almost every day for polishing some of our sling hardware (Brass and Steel) as well as rivets and cast parts. Finally wore one out about two years ago and purchased that one in 1989. They have a very good warranty as well. I think I had to send $20 or $30 along with the old tumbler and they sent me a new one. I also have another Dillon I use for polishing cartridge cases.

        If you are looking for a rotary tumbler, I use Thumler's Model A-R12 No. 130 (two small drums) and a Model B No. 140 (one large drum). Both units are rubber lined and can be run wet or dry. The large units are primarily used for rock tumbling, but work great for cartridge cases and small metal parts.

        For large runs, I use an old 4 cubic ft. steel cement mixer with a combination of cob media and 15% ceramic media or steel shot. I know of several reloaders who use the small mixers to polish large quantities of cartridge brass as well.


        RT

        Comment

        • PhillipM
          Very Senior Member - OFC
          • Aug 2009
          • 5937

          #5
          Thumbler's model B, it can use wet or dry media, including the stainless steel media that gets the cases perfectly clean, including primer pockets.

          http://www.cabelas.com/product/Model...0001844&rid=20
          Phillip McGregor (OFC)
          "I am neither a fire arms nor a ballistics expert, but I was a combat infantry officer in the Great War, and I absolutely know that the bullet from an infantry rifle has to be able to shoot through things." General Douglas MacArthur

          Comment

          • tmark
            Senior Member
            • Aug 2009
            • 1900

            #6
            I've had good results using the RCBS drum tumbler using liquid or dry media. It has a timer switch.

            Comment

            • Allen
              Moderator
              • Sep 2009
              • 10583

              #7
              For those who reload a lot.
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • barretcreek
                Senior Member
                • Sep 2013
                • 6065

                #8
                I have the big Dillon and I also have a medical ultrasonic cleaner. The ultrasonic does not get brass shiny bright but it really get the inside and primer pockets clean. I use it for my service rifle brass after decapping.

                Comment

                • joem
                  Senior Member, Deceased
                  • Aug 2009
                  • 11835

                  #9
                  I have the Dillon CV2001, RCBS sidewinder, a ultra sonic and two Thumblers. I recommend the thumbler mod "B". They are very quiet and can run all night and not disturb you. The ultra sonic does a good job on the primer pockets but is too slow for me.

                  Comment

                  • Jon Field
                    Senior Member
                    • Aug 2009
                    • 191

                    #10
                    Thanks for the ideas, good info, I have worn out 2 Lyman's wanted to try something else!

                    Thanks again.
                    Freedom is not free, the cost can be seen everyday, for it is engraved in marble, cast in bronze and highlighted with little American flags!

                    Comment

                    • albert
                      Senior Member
                      • May 2010
                      • 354

                      #11
                      Originally posted by PhillipM
                      Thumbler's model B, it can use wet or dry media, including the stainless steel media that gets the cases perfectly clean, including primer pockets.

                      http://www.cabelas.com/product/Model...0001844&rid=20
                      +1 on the thumbler model b. Mine is 30 years old and still using original motor. i must surely have polished over 150,000 rounds with it.

                      Comment

                      • joem
                        Senior Member, Deceased
                        • Aug 2009
                        • 11835

                        #12
                        "Thanks for the ideas, good info, I have worn out 2 Lyman's wanted to try something else!"

                        I did wear out the RCBS sidwinder tunmble and sent it to the factory for new rear bearings. It does a fine job but Thumblers are still much more quiet.

                        Comment

                        • PhillipM
                          Very Senior Member - OFC
                          • Aug 2009
                          • 5937

                          #13
                          Originally posted by joem
                          "Thanks for the ideas, good info, I have worn out 2 Lyman's wanted to try something else!"

                          I did wear out the RCBS sidwinder tunmble and sent it to the factory for new rear bearings. It does a fine job but Thumblers are still much more quiet.
                          My drum disintegrated, I guess due to its age, I'd bought it in 1990 or so. At first, the green started flaking off where it contacted the roller, which I fixed with some jb weld, then one day I picked it up by the ring/handle and the whole top came off. I bought a new drum, stupidly forgetting it may have been warrantied.

                          I don't know why rcbs thinks it is a $400 machine now.
                          Phillip McGregor (OFC)
                          "I am neither a fire arms nor a ballistics expert, but I was a combat infantry officer in the Great War, and I absolutely know that the bullet from an infantry rifle has to be able to shoot through things." General Douglas MacArthur

                          Comment

                          • da gimp
                            Very Senior Member - OFC Deceased
                            • Aug 2009
                            • 10137

                            #14
                            we've used a Thumbler's Tumbler since 1984 & Maurie K. convinced me on the use of the wet stainless steel media being the best thing since good ale was discovered.
                            be safe, enjoy life, journey well
                            da gimp
                            OFC, Mo. Chapter

                            Comment

                            • Former Cav
                              Senior Member
                              • Sep 2009
                              • 2241

                              #15
                              we've used a Thumbler's Tumbler since 1984 & Maurie K. convinced me on the use of the wet stainless steel media being the best thing since good ale was discovered
                              enlighten me on the stainless media. I've been using the crushed wallnut shells in my small dillon for about 20 years now. (I've changed the wallnut media about every year or so)

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