Looking for advice on inexpensive tumbler..

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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It's only for pistol brass right now, but being able to handle small quantities of rifle brass (~25-50) would be nice.

Not looking for anything top of the line or fancy unless it's affordable of course, but I am looking for something of good quality. Usually only relaod about 100rds of .38spl per session.

Any input would be appreciated!!

Thanks
 
Check ebay there are always lots of used ones that people get rid of to upgrade to a bigger one. If you are handy you can build one yourself like I did 20 years ago and I am still using it.
 
I recently bought a lyman, 600 I believe. It was the second cheapest at the store and it came with the media. Nothing else to buy, just plug it in and tumble away. I think had I bought the cheapest, I would have spent just as much after getting the media. I am very happy with the tumbler. I do small batches and it does a nice job.
 
Arlo_Dog said:
I recently bought a lyman, 600 I believe. It was the second cheapest at the store and it came with the media. Nothing else to buy, just plug it in and tumble away. I think had I bought the cheapest, I would have spent just as much after getting the media. I am very happy with the tumbler. I do small batches and it does a nice job.
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Ive got one of these and I overload the poor thing incredibly:redface: I really need to get a bigger one. That being said, they work great and seem to keep on ticking!
 
I bought a Lyman 600 about 1985 and I've been trying to KILL it by overloading the darn thing.

What a great piece of kit. It works so very well even after abusing over the years. I've even molycoated (Dillon tubs) 1000 69gr. .224 bullets in there... Very heavy for any lightweight and price point tumbler, but my Lyman keeps on going. Best hundred bucks I ever spent.

Now I've upgraded the 600 bowl to a 1200 bowl and now I can really try tumbling 300 plus .223 cases inside there, hoping to KILL it once again.

NO Such luck.... Keeps on working well.

Good luck with the search.

Barney
 
I've got a Lyman 1200, it works fine, no problems at all. One cool accessory I just got for it is open mesh nylon bags that you put the shells in then drop it in to the media. It makes it simple to separate the brass from the media or even to tumble multiple batches of brass at the same time. I got them at Russell Sports in Calgary, a few bucks for about 1/2 dozen bags. They're re-usable.
 
Cheap Tumbler

Don't have any experience with it but Midway currently has one on sale for $29.99(US). At that price I should buy at least two.
 
Consider a cheap ebay ultrasonic cleaner, ~$40. It won't polish brass to a bright shine, but it will clean it up like you wouldn't believe, and you CAN improve shine a bit with vinegar & birchwood casey brass cleaner.
 
KFN: I made my own tumbler in the early 80's sometime and it is basically the same thing as the picture shown. For the off weight balance that goes on the motor I just used a long bolt the same threads as the collar and just added nuts onto the threads until it was vibrating correctly. For the bucket I used a 1 gallon ice cream pale but I think I will get a cheap bowl like is pictured and give that a try and see if it speeds up the process. Made a wooden box, bought 4 springs for the base of the bucket to sit on, picked up a 110v motor at princess auto for 6 bucks and away I went. Took about an hour in total to make and have had it working all the time at least 10 hours a week for the last 25 years or so.
 
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