Rotary Tumbler Questions

Thank you all again for the help!
Wet tumbling is definitely the best option for me since it would be quiet.
How difficult was it to pull the heater hose over the steel rollers?
I too was thinking of using 3/4" cold rolled steel with heater hose from Canadian Tire.

Buddy has 9" diameter 12" long stainless pipe he'd be willing to sell for cheap-ish.
Would a stainless barrel with stainless media speed up the tumbling process and not damage the brass if I omit using paddles at say 60-80 RPM?

I know there is a lot of guestimating but I feel you guys are way more knowledgeable about tumbling that I!
 
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sixty9santa said:
Thank you all again for the help!
Wet tumbling is definitely the best option for me since it would be quiet.
How difficult was it to pull the heater hose over the steel rollers?
I too was thinking of using 3/4" cold rolled steel with heater hose from Canadian Tire.

Buddy has 9" diameter 12" long stainless pipe he'd be willing to sell for cheap-ish.
Would a stainless barrel with stainless media speed up the tumbling process and not damage the brass if I omit using paddles at say 60-80 RPM?

I know there is a lot of guestimating but I feel you guys are way more knowledgeable about tumbling that I!
Click to expand...

Mine has rubber tape on two spots around the shaft. Very easy to apply.

A stainless pipe is fine but how are you closing the end and make a waterproof lid?
I would go for a 6 inch pvc with some fittings, much easier. Drop in at a local plumbing business and they might have a scrap piece for a a few bucks or some donuts.

No padles is not going to work, the brass will just sit at the bottom with the drum spinning around it.
 
The rubber hose I got just slipped over the rods. If it’s tight, try some hairspray but work quickly.

Stainless might be harsh on the brass in addition to being quite loud. PVC pipe makes a bit of racket.

Paddles ensure the the brass tumbles and doesn’t just slide around.

Some have gotten good results with no media. I like to soak my brass overnight and tumble the next day for 1.5hrs.

sixty9santa said:
Thank you all again for the help!
Wet tumbling is definitely the best option for me since it would be quiet.
How difficult was it to pull the heater hose over the steel rollers?
I too was thinking of using 3/4" cold rolled steel with heater hose from Canadian Tire.

Buddy has 9" diameter 12" long stainless pipe he'd be willing to sell for cheap-ish.
Would a stainless barrel with stainless media speed up the tumbling process and not damage the brass if I omit using paddles at say 60-80 RPM?

I know there is a lot of guestimating but I feel you guys are way more knowledgeable about tumbling that I!
Click to expand...
 
There's a jewelry tumbler on Amazon and Ebay, I use the 3 kg version for small batches of rifle but the 5kg should be good for you guys doing bigger volumes. I use 2 lbs of steel pins in my tumbler and despite it's very Chinese origin it's quite a solid machine. The drum gets scuffed up after 2 or 3 uses and you can't see inside any more but that's no big deal.

My brass is spotless and it's cheaper than the frankford
 
Awesome and thanks for that!
After all the amazing feedback, advice and help, my 10 liter wet tumble is almost ready for brass!
I sourced some schedule 80 8" PVC pipe 16" long, the mailman delivered my 10lbs of stainless pins last week, 1/4HP motor good to go with pulleys, purchased 2lbs of citric acid, pillow blocks and drive rods mounted on frame.
All I'm missing now is a timer switch that can be adjusted in 30 minute increments and heater hoses for the drive rods.
Over built but, should last!
My out of pocket cost thus far was the tumbling media and the citric acid.
Will need to purchase a switch but not necessary, just convenient.

Reloading bench frame is almost complete as well, I need to weld some mounting tabs for the top since the entire frame is made from 1/8" thick 1.5" angle iron from a 30yr old bed frame. The good kind and not the bent "angle iron" that they are now being made from.
Still need to purchase the Hornady LNL AP and accessories.
Cash is tight with renovations but I do what I can in the mean time.
Things would go faster, but still dealing with a busted leg.
Luckily, my Mrs. And father have been a huge help!
 
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sixty9santa said:
Thank you all again for the help!
Wet tumbling is definitely the best option for me since it would be quiet.
How difficult was it to pull the heater hose over the steel rollers?
I too was thinking of using 3/4" cold rolled steel with heater hose from Canadian Tire.

Buddy has 9" diameter 12" long stainless pipe he'd be willing to sell for cheap-ish.
Would a stainless barrel with stainless media speed up the tumbling process and not damage the brass if I omit using paddles at say 60-80 RPM?

I know there is a lot of guestimating but I feel you guys are way more knowledgeable about tumbling that I!
Click to expand...

No issue with sliding heater hose on the shafts. Mine runs at 72 rpm and has paddles.
 
TSPIRI said:
There's a jewelry tumbler on Amazon and Ebay, I use the 3 kg version for small batches of rifle but the 5kg should be good for you guys doing bigger volumes. I use 2 lbs of steel pins in my tumbler and despite it's very Chinese origin it's quite a solid machine. The drum gets scuffed up after 2 or 3 uses and you can't see inside any more but that's no big deal.

My brass is spotless and it's cheaper than the frankford
Click to expand...

Link, please?
 
Another source for the larger sized "pipes & fittings" (6-8 or even 10" dia if you prefer) is a new residential development site (the outside edges of every city in the country will have a bunch of sites). The contractors always have a refuse bin on site for cut-offs & such from the water or sanitation pipes that they are installing. You can probably get the end fittings as well from the foreman for a box of doughnuts for the crew.
 
I run my jewellery tumbler on the lowest speed and it's more than enough. I think slower is better as far as the cleaning of brass is concerned. The higher speeds are just too fast the brass doesn't really tumble at all, it gets stuck to the drum by centrifugal force on maximum
 
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