Is a tumbler worth it?

DLab said:
Haven't built it yet,but i scored 2-3 lb. o-ring sealed tubs from a rock polishing setup,not high capacity,but should work and a freebie!Just need to scrounge up a motor and the rest is easy.
Stainless media, i found a source for SS blasting media in Edmonton at SIL.
It's not the pins,they're beads, i'm thinking they should work,different diameter sizes available and only $43.50+tax for 50 lbs.,enough to share or cheap group buy.Shipping would be a killer,only be economical if you're in or around the city.
If anyone has tried this type of media,i'd be interested in the results.
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Any idea what the size's are?
 
They are listed in my phone book and website on 116 Ave.,Edm.When i talked to the fella there,he didn't mention being out of the city,they might be.
I got two sizes wrote down ,there are more,they are S110-.023-.060 and S170-.033-.085.I mic'd a .204 primer pocket at 0.173 and primer hole at .077 .
You may have to screen or sift some to get the size you need.I just thought it may be a viable alternative to pins if a person could source them locally.
I've got a nephew in Edm.,thought i'd ask him to pick some up if i was going to go with SS beads.
 
From the websites I have seen they all carry basically an odd shaped BB style of stainless steel abrasives.

I have to drive right by there edmonton office tomorrow afternoon and if I get time I will stop in and see what they have.
 
However in industry the tumblers are viratory that use ss beads/pins, ceramic media etc.
I'm curious how small steel shot works. It would be cheap and dual purpose since you could load it when you are done cleaning with it.
 
madpat said:
Next question... anyone in the Vancouver area want to split shipping? Perhaps a few people at 5 lbs each?
I guess I could try buying and dumping the rest on EE... but I don't really want to get stuck with a $130 bill and a lot more media than I will ever need.
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Ship happens in sumas, or a couple of places in Pt Roberts, $5 to receive your package, drive over, pick it up, fill the tank, come home....rarely have to pay duty and usually if you do you're still saving
 
1. Any local (sand)blasting supply will sell you 5lb of stainless shot 0.025" in dia for about $30. Better than pins IMO, rarely get stuck in primer hole, and are removed when brass is shaken. I only reload pistol brass (for now), and I no longer bother with de-capping first, primers go in just fine.

2. For container, try a round cooler from CTire or Walmart. I paid $15 for the 2gal container I use. I tumble small batches of about 200-250 9mm cases. Not an industrial size operation by any stretch, but I get about 1,000 cases cleaned each week, and it only takes 2min to set up when I come from work, and another 5min 3-4Hrs later. That's where ultrasonics suck IMO, too much babysitting.

I wrapped the cooler with a sheet of galvanized flashing, to prevent the container's core and outer cover from cracking. Ductape holds it nicely together. A also JBWelded a couple of aluminum profile ribs along the container's length on the inside, to help with the stirring action. I would be careful with square containers: unless the motor has the power to take constant changes in torque, it will burn out.

3. There is no dust when whet-tumbling, so a big plus IMHO. Still, I only bring brass that's been cleaned inside the house.

4. Last one: don't use dishwasher soap/agent, they will discolor your brass. Just a 9mm casefull of LemiShine, and a 38Spl case of laundry detergent is all it takes. When done, turn tumbler off and wait 15min for the suds to disappear, then rinsing becomes real easy.
 
aridan said:
1. Any local (sand)blasting supply will sell you 5lb of stainless shot 0.025" in dia for about $30. Better than pins IMO, rarely get stuck in primer hole, and are removed when brass is shaken. I only reload pistol brass (for now), and I no longer bother with de-capping first, primers go in just fine.

2. For container, try a round cooler from CTire or Walmart. I paid $15 for the 2gal container I use. I tumble small batches of about 200-250 9mm cases. Not an industrial size operation by any stretch, but I get about 1,000 cases cleaned each week, and it only takes 2min to set up when I come from work, and another 5min 3-4Hrs later. That's where ultrasonics suck IMO, too much babysitting.

I wrapped the cooler with a sheet of galvanized flashing, to prevent the container's core and outer cover from cracking. Ductape holds it nicely together. A also JBWelded a couple of aluminum profile ribs along the container's length on the inside, to help with the stirring action. I would be careful with square containers: unless the motor has the power to take constant changes in torque, it will burn out.

3. There is no dust when whet-tumbling, so a big plus IMHO. Still, I only bring brass that's been cleaned inside the house.

4. Last one: don't use dishwasher soap/agent, they will discolor your brass. Just a 9mm casefull of LemiShine, and a 38Spl case of laundry detergent is all it takes. When done, turn tumbler off and wait 15min for the suds to disappear, then rinsing becomes real easy.
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Nice read. Thanks for that.

Would like to see a picture for your set up.
I'm starting to get interested it this jubject.

Thanks
 
dinsdale said:
The use of square containers with round ends to facilitate rotation is not an issue as I am using a 20:1 gear box
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Agreed. I found that a good geared motor is the hardest thing to come by. I'm using a geared motor I scavenged from a dead copier. However, I see most people use a belt & pulley system, so unless the motor is decent - 1/3HP or better - there could be trouble.
 
aridan said:
Agreed. I found that a good geared motor is the hardest thing to come by. I'm using a geared motor I scavenged from a dead copier. However, I see most people use a belt & pulley system, so unless the motor is decent - 1/3HP or better - there could be trouble.
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Agreed,
I was lucky in that a neighbour had one lying in his parts box.
Kind of kick started the idea for me,
 
...funny, I just found a decent geared motor kicking around in my parts bin while scavenging parts for a small coffee can tumbler (driven directly by an old variable speed drill...)

It's an old rotisserie motor... and I used to have two or three of them... see them at garage sales all the time.

...May be time to make a 5gallon bucket tumbler...?
 
aridan said:
If it is anything like my rotisserie motor, it may be a bit too slow. You are looking for something around 60rpm.
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I was thinking about an old handheld drill. I bet everyone has one that the battery has crapped out and it costs more to get a new battery then it is to buy a new drill. Just wire it up with the transformer that came with it, adjust the speed under load and away you go.

As far as speed I know that dryers turn at 48 rpm, if they went quicker the clothes would stick to the outside drum (centripetal force) and if it went slower the clothes would all bail up at the bottom so 60 should be about correct.
 
hunter64 said:
I was thinking about an old handheld drill. I bet everyone has one that the battery has crapped out and it costs more to get a new battery then it is to buy a new drill. Just wire it up with the transformer that came with it, adjust the speed under load and away you go.
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I'll letcha know how it works tomorrow... Should be finished making a quick and dirty mount for it then...
 
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