Home-made tumbler

Me too, I've got one. I use it for about a year now.
A peu près 600 douilles passées. Je peux t'envoyer une photo. Cela m'a couté 4 CAD et une heure et demi de travail.
 
I built one out of an old cloths dryer years ago, still going strong today! Even has a built in timer.

Scott
 
Last edited:
I have one that I built, works OK but not enough capacity or speed, only holds about 20-30 rifle shells, more then that and it takes several hours.

I'm now looking at the cement mixer drum at leevalley, If I hook that up to an electric motor, I have a nice little one 1/4 hp I think 3 speeds I might be back in business
 
Me too, I've got one. I use it for about a year now.
A peu près 600 douilles passées. Je peux t'envoyer une photo. Cela m'a couté 4 CAD et une heure et demi de travail.

what is with the cloak-and-dagger stuff? don't pm the plans, post them here!?!?!?! ;)

I am interested in your 4$ tumbler system :D
 
River Rat made one for himself and one for me about 15 years ago. Uses a one gallon paint can. That will hold enough cases for almost anyone. :)

They work great, and are still going strong.

Maybe he will chime in here and post a picture. I am unable to do so at the moment.

Ted
 
I don't know how to post a photo.

what is with the cloak-and-dagger stuff? don't pm the plans, post them here!?!?!?! ;)

I am interested in your 4$ tumbler system :D

No secret at all.
The tumbler consists of a strawberry jam jar, an old printer roller and an electric motor of 120VAC 3rpm – I bought it at Maddisson (now it became Access Electronique). The motor was the only part I paid for. The rest is of some spare pieces I found in my basement. In the very first model, even the roller was wooden, but it loosened rather quickly. As for the bearing, it is just a piece of felt with some vegetable oil – I heard mineral oil is no good for the rubber on the roller. As I already mentioned, I use the thing for about a year now. It can take about thirty or forty rifle cases (I have 30-06) - I never shoot more - and I leave it to turn for the night. In the morning the cases shine better than new ones. One more advantage – the tumbler can be used with liquid cleaners – all those vinegars, citric acids, some even use pepsi. I have had some limited experience with liquids but I did not like it. It works, but often the cases darken.

How can I attach my photo?
 
Plastic folgers coffe can + media + dirty brass. Place in clothes dryer (with laundry...important!) dry clothes, shiny brass.

Intresting but how do ya keep the lid on?
ElectricTape?
I could just see my Dirty BP brass and media all mixed in with the Misses clean laundery! ya id be popular.
 
Plastic folgers coffe can + media + dirty brass. Place in clothes dryer (with laundry...important!) dry clothes, shiny brass.
Nah, all I had to do to convert my washing machine into a brass tumbler was to tape the holes shut with aluminium tape and attach 'on/off' valves onto the water supply, then turn it to the spin cycle.

I would guess I could tumble at least over a quarter to a half of a million spent cartridge cases at the same time with that thing...

- Dave.
 
Last edited:
My dad made a rock polishing tumbler years ago-it consisted of two axles on mandrels bolted to a piece pf plywood ,with a pulley on one which was connected by a belt to an electric motor.He had a rubber canister sitting on the two axles with was rotated by the powered one.You could easily make a tumblet from a section of plastic waterpipe with two end,one glued on.I would imagine you could make something similar to polish brass
 
Wrong Way said:
Plastic folgers coffee can + media + dirty brass. Place in clothes dryer (with laundry...important!) dry clothes, shiny brass.

.
Intresting but how do ya keep the lid on?
ElectricTape?
I could just see my Dirty BP brass and media all mixed in with the Misses clean laundry! ya id be popular.

What about making a stronger container with something like a piece of 6" PVC pipe and a screw on cap (sewer cleanout style)? Plug the other end and really really round off the sharp edges before beating up the clothes in the dryer.
 
Back
Top Bottom