$320 to spend on a tumbler. which one should i get

[caver77]

Frankford

 

[Stevo]

I tried using just one end and really tightening the other one. It worked until the next time I used the tumbler. The tightened end began leaking. What's up with that? The rubber gasket on the Lyman seems much softer than the ones on the FA so I'm guessing that's maybe why it compresses easier and seals better. Don't get me wrong, I like the FA, I just think that overall the Lyman is the better unit.

That's crappy. Hope I can dodge the leaking.

Any chance you're over tightening?

 

[Stevo]

Same here, Got a used one on ebay for under 60.00 shipped and pins off another seller and I was off to the races for under 100.00. I have a single stage press and reload small batches at a time so it works great for me. I did it this way to see what all the fuss was about. And I am glad I went this way. Love it. mine is a small 3 lb drum. I get 15 308 cases at a time. And that suits me fine, gives me time to do any case prep from the previous batch. I reload about 100 a week for my needs.

But, I am keeping my eye out for a used dual drum one, lol.

15? That is a small batch.

I did an ice cream pail of 9mm in one batch last week.

 

[ted_dent]

That's crappy. Hope I can dodge the leaking.

Any chance you're over tightening?

I tried it initially with less tightening & it leaked. Used a strap wrench & the leak stopped but I had to lean on it pretty good. The problem then became getting the lid off when the cycle was done. Getting a good grip on the drum so it doesn't slip when you put the strap wrench on it wasn't easy. With the Lyman I can tighten & loosen the lid with finger pressure alone and so far no leaks. I might try to fabricate a gasket out of softer rubber for the FA as that seems to be making the difference between the two.

 

[jjort]

All you have to do to prevent leaks with the FA is to make sure that you wet both sides of the rubber gasket...kind of like how you need to oil the gasket on an oil filter....
if the rubber is clean and wet, it wont leak

 

[Shooterz]

+1 on this. Just get a $25-$40 media separator if you don't find a package deal. Saves a lot of time. That and a magnetic pick up tool for the pins. Can find for $10 on sale at princess auto.

Agreed with all of this.
Love my FA Platinum and the P AUTO magnet is a great addition for the $10.

 

[ted_dent]

All you have to do to prevent leaks with the FA is to make sure that you wet both sides of the rubber gasket...kind of like how you need to oil the gasket on an oil filter....
if the rubber is clean and wet, it wont leak

Sorry, I did that every time I screwed on the caps. Still leaked.

 

[MikeTheRock]

Not sure how the capacity of the Thumler Model B stacks up, but it is indestructable and will last forever. All steel construction and about the same price as the Frankford. Mine has never leaked.

 

[Happypillz]

Went to SS from Ultrasonic and Media.. And SS is by far the best.

 

[PGW Steve]

I just picked up a FA Platinum, and it came with a sample pack of the liquid additive, which they say makes one drum full. I've been trying to find the large bottle of the stuff, but can't find it anywhere. Any homemade potions to suggest?

 

[diopter]

Water, 1 table spoon ± of dish washing soap and about an empty 22lr case of Lemishine
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/l...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CN6SgNGOtNYCFUWPaQod9YYLeQ

If you have a water filter on your tap, that would help reduce spotting.

You really have to rinse well when using Lemishine. does a great job of brightening the brass but darkens the brass if not rinsed extremely well and dried as quickly as possible.

Use a towel and then in the oven for 20 minutes in a safe container at 180°.

I prefer to de-prime with a universal de-caper before washing. SS pins do a decent job of cleaning the primer pockets.

 

[Stevo]

I just picked up a FA Platinum, and it came with a sample pack of the liquid additive, which they say makes one drum full. I've been trying to find the large bottle of the stuff, but can't find it anywhere. Any homemade potions to suggest?

3-4 tbsps of Dawn and 1 squirt of Lemishine per full drum of water is what I use.

 

[PGW Steve]

Diopter and Stevo, thank you!!! The water in my house goes through a bunch of softeners and filters and finally a reverse osmosis system, should cover the spotting issue.

 

[diopter]

BTW; I found out that doing a few rinses with fresh water after draining the tumbler really help keeping the cases spotless. I have fairly hard water.

These are 3rd firing 7.5x55 Privi going to loaded for the fourth time. Rinsed three times in RCBS Sidewinder again with SS pins for about 10 minutes each rinse with tap water.

Keeping some rare earth magnets next to my press as a double check for SS pins before priming.

 

[17asleep]

BTW; I found out that doing a few rinses with fresh water after draining the tumbler really help keeping the cases spotless. I have fairly hard water.

These are 3rd firing 7.5x55 Privi going to loaded for the fourth time. Rinsed three times in RCBS Sidewinder again with SS pins for about 10 minutes each rinse with tap water.

Keeping some rare earth magnets next to my press as a double check for SS pins before priming.

That is an excellent idea.

 

[Surplus1]

Well I bit the bullet today. It took me long enough.... but I did get a tumbler today. It's a Frankford tumbler. How am I going to sneak it in the house past the wife now

 

[Chargerguy]

Well I bit the bullet today. It took me long enough.... but I did get a tumbler today. It's a Frankford tumbler. How am I going to sneak it in the house past the wife now

Right on. I love mine.

 

[mmcintyre1220]

Frankford arsenal platinum tumbler!

 

[Sakoman .308]

Thumler's Tumbler works great.