Frankford Arsenal-- Wet brass tumbler.

[caruguy]

Hi there,
Looking to see if anyone has used a Frankford Arsenal wet pin tumbler, and if so would they recommend it . I am currently looking at the Frankford Arsenal "Lite" version, where only one end of the container opens, and cleans smaller batches of brass.
please remove

 

[stewbud]

I have been using my FA wet tumbler with stainless steel pins for about 4 years now and wish that I would have switched years ago.

I decap the cases prior to cleaning and the cases are clean inside, outside and in the primer pocket. I have started annealing and get no salt carryout with the spotlessly clean brass.

I highly recommend the system. I use a very small amount of LemiShine and elCheapo dish soap. The hardness of your water will dictate how much of each is required.

I usually clean a hundred mixed 38/55, 44 Magnum and 45 Colt cases at a time. I have only ever used one end of my tumbler and have never had it leak.

.

 

[DiMP]

I have the smaller "lite" version. I've used it without issue for about 2 years. I really like the results. The only modification I did was wrap a couple layers of electrical tape around the drum to add extra traction for the wheels since when I first got it full brass loads would occasionally bog it down and the drive wheels would spin without moving the drum. After adding tape in the first 2 weeks I haven't had any problem since

 

[mac100]

I’ve had mine for 2 years and love it. Cases are sparkling inside and out. I use Lyman turbo sonic cleaner. 1/2 capful and one squirt of any dish soap and way better than Lemi shine. I found it turned the cases Color’s if you didn’t rinse thoroughly.

 

[NZClaybuster]

i built one with triple the foot print and without the timer and struggled to find a container that didnt leak. should have just bought this in the first place.

 

[Paul_T]

I have the standard unit. Would not get rid of it.

FWIW I stopped using steel pins to lessen the process by one step (removing the pins). I have seen very little difference omitting the pins.

 

[langfordbc]

Curious why people would choose the FA over the STM tumbler? STM is only ~$40 more (give or take, depending on the seller), and appears to be far superior in construction - steel vs plastic.

Not knocking the FA model, I just haven’t used it so I’m wondering.

 

[OldNewGuy]

I have been using my FA wet tumbler with stainless steel pins for about 4 years now and wish that I would have switched years ago.

I decap the cases prior to cleaning and the cases are clean inside, outside and in the primer pocket. I have started annealing and get no salt carryout with the spotlessly clean brass.

I highly recommend the system. I use a very small amount of LemiShine and elCheapo dish soap. The hardness of your water will dictate how much of each is required.

I usually clean a hundred mixed 38/55, 44 Magnum and 45 Colt cases at a time. I have only ever used one end of my tumbler and have never had it leak.

.

^^^ This exactly. Bought my full-size FA tumbler almost 10 years ago, it's been faultless and works every time. Much quieter than my old solid-media vibrating system. The only thing I'd suggest is to get the FA bucket-type with cage roller pin separator, those little cage strainers that come with the tumbler bottle are next to useless (unless you have an extra hour or two to keep shaking the bottle to make sure all the pins are out). Lastly, pick up a magnetic lifter from Princess Auto or similar, around $10 to $15, it's great for picking up the pins and dropping them on trays to dry after you're finished cleaning.

Other little hints - I haven't had any issues mixing caliber brass (i.e. .357 with .270, or 9mm with 30.06) with one exception - don't mix larger caliber straight wall brass (i.e. 444 Marlin, or 45-70 government) with brass that will fit inside. I got 9mm's stuck inside my 444 Marlin brass and had to toss a bunch of once-fired. If you've bought 444 or 45-70 factory rounds, you KNOW how much each one costs, plus 444 Marlin rounds are getting a little tough to come by.

You likely won't regret the FA tumbler - I'm still working on my original SS pins, and I've cleaned 1,000's of cases over the years.

O.N.G.

 

[ted_dent]

I bought the FA tumbler when it first came out. It did a great job of cleaning the brass. The only problem I had was that the cap(s) leaked unless I really reefed on them to tighten it. Since both ends come off it doubled the chance of a cap leaking. I got a great deal on a Lyman wet tumbler when they came out so I bought one. It only opens at one end so one less cap to leak. The rubber gasket also seems a lot softer than the FA gasket and I can tighten the cap with just hand pressure (had to use a strap wrench on the FA to stop the leaks)) and have never had a leak problem. One day I'll get around to making a softer gasket for the FA and see if that helps but for now it just sits on the shelf as I only use the Lyman.

 

[G_Alan]

I've got the FA one ended opening tumbler. No issues in 2 years, I find it not as leak prone as the Thumbler tumbler that I replaced. That being gases burping the rubber friction ring that held the lid. I can run hot water in the FA with no issues.

 

[M1-Garand]

I've had the full size FA tumbler for about 6 years, love it.
As far as leakage is concerned, before the end caps on I always remove the seals and wipe them and the sealing surfaces clean, they have to be spotless or you will have a leak.Ask me how I know.

In mine I use soft hot water with a bit of Tide laundry detergent, a pinch of lemmishine and only a small amount of pins, let it run for less than one hour and the brass comes out like new.

 

[Otto V]

I bought the full size FA tumbler a few years ago . . . for the small amount of brass I clean, if I had to do it again I would buy the Lite version. I've also had issues with one of the caps leaking, I had to make a special gasket for one end of the drum.

 

[FarmerDanz]

I had trouble with mine. The gear preload was out and it started to slip. Thankfully I'm handy but for the price, I expect it to work.

 

[Deathrawt]

I have the lite version and had some issues with the cap leaking
My solution is to lubricate both sides of the rubber washer with dish soap. This makes the rubber slipperier and you can tighten the cap down better
It works great otherwise
I have the FA brass drier too

 

[jetfixer]

^^^ This exactly. Bought my full-size FA tumbler almost 10 years ago, it's been faultless and works every time. Much quieter than my old solid-media vibrating system. The only thing I'd suggest is to get the FA bucket-type with cage roller pin separator, those little cage strainers that come with the tumbler bottle are next to useless (unless you have an extra hour or two to keep shaking the bottle to make sure all the pins are out). Lastly, pick up a magnetic lifter from Princess Auto or similar, around $10 to $15, it's great for picking up the pins and dropping them on trays to dry after you're finished cleaning.

Other little hints - I haven't had any issues mixing caliber brass (i.e. .357 with .270, or 9mm with 30.06) with one exception - don't mix larger caliber straight wall brass (i.e. 444 Marlin, or 45-70 government) with brass that will fit inside. I got 9mm's stuck inside my 444 Marlin brass and had to toss a bunch of once-fired. If you've bought 444 or 45-70 factory rounds, you KNOW how much each one costs, plus 444 Marlin rounds are getting a little tough to come by.

You likely won't regret the FA tumbler - I'm still working on my original SS pins, and I've cleaned 1,000's of cases over the years.

O.N.G.

What they said. For the price it does a great job. I have been using mine for about 5 years. I laughed at the mixing of brass that fits inside larger brass statement, as I found out the hard way 9mm fits nicely onto 300 Blk brass.