Frankford Arsenal tumbled durability?

[1340]

I have been thinking of getting a Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler. Just wondering durable they are. Would they last a long time? How tight do the end caps have to be so it doesn't leak?
Any advice?
Thanks.

 

[Paul_T]

Mine has been running fine for about 2 years so far. I drop the rubber seals in water before I install them then 'snug' the caps fairly tightly (one handed).

I store the unit with the caps unscrewed.

 

[jethunter]

They are probably as reliable as any tumbler made with low cost components. Most of them will give good service, the odd one fails prematurely. Quality inspection and testing costs money.

 

[Mangun]

I have cleaned at least 15-20 k with no problems caps generally don’t leak If they do stop loosen make sure no pins are in sealed areas then retighten Don’t need to over tighten these caps What I do is run for 11/2 hrs put slotted cap on shake over 5 gal pail fill tumbler with hot tap water repeat generally by the time 5 gal pail is full water will be clean & free of soap Then I let dry on a towel in front of hot water tank for a couple of days Very impressed with tumblerBuy a paint strainer (@$2.) Put plug in laundry tub in case of accident Dump 5 gall pail with pins through paint strainer carefully then rinse pins
BTW I use Dawn & 2 .40 shells full of lemishine as cleaner

 

[B]

There are commercial reloaders using them. I haven't heard them complaining about longevity. Mine has seen so much brass I couldn't even take a wild guess at a number and it's running as well as the day I bought it.

 

[1340]

I like the design. Allows flow through rinsing

 

[coreyd]

I've run 100+ loads through mine and have no issues with leaking.

 

[GarDian]

Bought mine three years ago, cleaned countless rounds. Still strong like new. The two slotted end cap is great when rinsing brass after tumbling.

 

[ted_dent]

I have one and although it works well I have had issues with the lids leaking. I wet the gaskets but still have to cinch them down with a strap wrench to stop the leaks.
Because I got a great deal on one I also bought the Lyman wet tumbler. I like it much better than the Frankford. It only opens at one end (I don't see the value of opening at both ends like the Frankford) and the sealing gasket is made of a softer rubber which I can snug down leak free with one hand. It also comes with two trays, one with a coarse grate to catch the brass which you put on top and a fine mesh screen tray you put under the coarse grate to catch the pins.
Both do an excellent job of cleaning brass but I have found the Lyman to be the better system. YMMV

 

[Wiskey1]

my tumblers has cleaned 500,000 or more,and still going strong,did another 20,000 just in the last couple weeks,they work great.

 

[Trinimon]

Hmmm, I don't have leaking on my drum. I do get some water that were on the threads but that's about it. I ordered mine from Amazon from a US company. I think it was $270 to my door? The damn timer was not working out of the box. I couldn't bother to pay to ship it back to the US retailer so I just use an outdoor timer instead.

 

[Magoo22]

Same here on the "it's seen more brass than I can count" and still running like new. For the slotted cap I got a pair of used tights from moma bear and put the cap inside those. I can then rinse really well without worrying about the pins. I use a RCBS media separator to remove the pins. Works like a charm. For pistol I don't use pins. Just tumble with the solution and they are good enough for me.