Just about done my homemade wet tumbler, a couple questions:

[mactroneng]

1) Where can I buy stainless pin media?

2) What's the rule-of-thumb for how much brass vs media to put in (in regards to tumbler volume as well)?

Thanks!

 

[FarmerDanz]

Before answers you need to post pics of your new tumbler!

 

[Deathrawt]

The full size Frankfort wet tumbler calls for 5 pounds of stainless media
I don't think there is an exact science to how much your supposed to use
Lots of times I don't even use media in the wet tumbler and the brass comes out pretty darn clean

 

[6MT]

.....

 

[lawn gnome]

Salad spinner, caustic soda powder and a sink.

 

[JohnnyPython]

1. LGS - Frankford Arsenal brand

2. 5 lbs of pins, fill with cases 1/2 to 2/3 full then water, detergent and lemishine.

I usually pre-soak night before with hot water and then tumble next day. One hour is enough for my needs.

Post a pic if you can.

 

[xingyc]

 

[mactroneng]

Here is a picture of what I have so far:

The motor is from a broken carpet cleaner (as is the mess of wiring, but transformers, switches, etc. are all pre-wired so I think I'm just going to hide it underneath the platform) with a worm gear for speed reduction (operates at about 10k RPM), bearings are old roller skate wheels.

Depending on how this works out, I am thinking of either adding a second tumbling station, connected to the first with a belt, or moving all my case-prep stuff to this, adding some folding legs, and making it it's own little table that I can set-up and take down when not in use.

 

[FarmerDanz]

Nice man! My local store, tiger arms, has the ss media in stock and they ship.

 

[Suther]

Here is a picture of what I have so far:

The motor is from a broken carpet cleaner (as is the mess of wiring, but transformers, switches, etc. are all pre-wired so I think I'm just going to hide it underneath the platform) with a worm gear for speed reduction (operates at about 10k RPM), bearings are old roller skate wheels.

Depending on how this works out, I am thinking of either adding a second tumbling station, connected to the first with a belt, or moving all my case-prep stuff to this, adding some folding legs, and making it it's own little table that I can set-up and take down when not in use.

Very interesting! And to think I just threw out a vacuum a month or two ago... Now I might need to keep an eye out for another one...

 

[greywolf67nt]

What did you do in the tube to make the brass and media tumble?

 

[OkayShooter]

I went DIY once, till the lid popped off under pressure and leaked.

 

[375 RUM]

FOC in ajax has pins ; load pins in add 50 rounds of 38 brass and fill with water to just cover brass, use that as a start point ; I found the one I built run to fast

 

[mactroneng]

What did you do in the tube to make the brass and media tumble?

I have a couple of 1/2" PVC pipes I'll be screwing and and sealing to the inside to force mixing. Haven't got that far yet because the flared end of the PVC pipe is a little misshapen and the glued-in reduced leaks around that joint, I need to seal that too.

 

[4n2t0]

How will that motor perform under a heavy load?

 

[bertn]

Nice job, very compact besides the long tube
My 6 inch pvc pipe drum is less than half your length and I use 5lb pins.

With brass pinns and water in it that is heavy enough and I wouldn't be surprised if at some point you end up cutting down your drum for easier handling.

What rpm is your drum rotating?

 

[jethunter]

1) Where can I buy stainless pin media?

amazon is as good as anywhere

What's the rule-of-thumb for how much brass vs media to put in (in regards to tumbler volume as well)? Thanks!

Tumbler should be about 50-60% full when tumbling but a bit more or less doesn't hurt. Pins should constitute at least half the mix. 4 liters of brass = 4 (or more) liters of pins. More pins is better than less pins.

 

[mactroneng]

How will that motor perform under a heavy load?

This is the only thing that worries me, but I have a hell of a reduction on that system (10,000 RPM to 30 RPM) so I'm hoping to be able to squeeze out a lot of power. Couldn't find the exact model online but similar looking models say they're used for floor care (where I stole it from), hand mixing kitchen tools and coffee grinders.

Nice job, very compact besides the long tube
My 6 inch pvc pipe drum is less than half your length and I use 5lb pins.

With brass pinns and water in it that is heavy enough and I wouldn't be surprised if at some point you end up cutting down your drum for easier handling.

What rpm is your drum rotating?

I have the drum set to rotate at about 30 RPM. I am looking to get some grip tape to ensure the drum doesn't slip on the rods, and if I need to I can wrap it around to build up the rods to a larger diameter.

Will probably go to the store tonight to grab the last remaining supplies to construct this thing and just do a dry run (just a pile of brass I have laying around, and maybe some water) to test it for weight. Got my stainless steel pins from Bullseye in London and they should be here by Monday.

 

[667]

31 pages of DIY wet tumbler info/ideas.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/How_i_built_my_own_rotary_tumbler/42-344986/

I built one a few years ago and it still serves well today... Tens of thousands of pieces of brass have gone though it.
I used a 1/4 HP motor, belt drive to get the drum RPM to about 60.
Agitators are made from 1/2" ABS pipe that I cut length-wise and fastened into place with stainless steel nuts/bolts. The tapered bolt heads countersunk underneath the caps at either end of the cylinder.
The video is from the first time I ran a load through it...
Shortly afterward I cleaned up the power supply and went with a rubber "cap" which was/is much easier to use.

 

[FarmerDanz]

Damn 30 to 1 reduction? That thing will climb mountains!