Rule of thumb for Tumblers

[C Broad Arrow]

I have been cleaning brass these past 2 weeks. With all the different calibers I have been cleaning I was wondering if any of you have come up with a rule of thumb as to how much brass to place in the tumble at any one time?

Do you just cover the surface area of the tumbler? Or do you just dump everything in?

I am curious to know what everyone else does.

Thanks!

 

[Canuck223]

The cases are cleaned by movement. I can fill mine up about 60% full of brass, then add media, turn it on, then top up the media. As long as I get good movement, it's AOK>

 

[Rob 22]

I dump in the cases that I have to be cleaned and turn on the tumbler if everything is vibrating around okay on goes the lid. If its a bit on the full side I pull out a hand full and then let it run, usually thats all it takes. I try to keep on top of the cleaning so as not to get to much dirty brass piled up.

 

[heavyBullet]

I only just bought a Lyman last week,so have no experience to share, but the info that came with my tumbler gave some recommendations if that helps.

model 600/pop top 175 (.38 specials) 60(30-06) 1lb. of media
model 1200 350 / 125 / 2lbs.
model 1200 Auto Flo / 350 / 125 / 3lbs.
model 2200 Auto Flo / 750 / 250 / 5lbs.
model 2500 Pro Mag / 1000 / 315 / 6lbs
model 2500 mag Auto Flo / 1000 / 315 6.5lbs.
model 3200 Auto Flo 1200 / 450 / 7lbs.


Mod. 600 has a 3 pint bowl
mod 1200 has a 1gal bowl
mod.2200 has a 1 gal. bowl
mod. 2500 has a 1.75 gal. bowl

I assume that if you have another model and just match up the bowl capacities, it should give you an good idea.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

I only just bought a Lyman last week,so have no experience to share, but the info that came with my tumbler gave some recommendations if that helps.

model 600/pop top 175 (.38 specials) 60(30-06) 1lb. of media
model 1200 350 / 125 / 2lbs.
model 1200 Auto Flo / 350 / 125 / 3lbs.
model 2200 Auto Flo / 750 / 250 / 5lbs.
model 2500 Pro Mag / 1000 / 315 / 6lbs
model 2500 mag Auto Flo / 1000 / 315 6.5lbs.
model 3200 Auto Flo 1200 / 450 / 7lbs.


Mod. 600 has a 3 pint bowl
mod 1200 has a 1gal bowl
mod.2200 has a 1 gal. bowl
mod. 2500 has a 1.75 gal. bowl

I assume that if you have another model and just match up the bowl capacities, it should give you an good idea.

Thats terrific.. thanks... I bought my tumbler on ebay and it did not come with any instructions.

That helps alot! Seems I have been underfilling the tumbler!

 

[SandRoad]

Thats terrific.. thanks... I bought my tumbler on ebay and it did not come with any instructions.

That helps alot! Seems I have been underfilling the tumbler!

You will find that in some tumblers the "action" really slows down when you overfill them. As above, about 60% with brass, and then up to about 75% including media is a pretty good rough measure.

Do a trial for yourself, fill up to suggested levels per the previous post, turn it on, and then keep adding brass and see what happens. It will become pretty obvious when you have too much in there. At that point, scoop some out and see how the action changes.

I have a Thumler 18 Industrial Vibrating rock tumbler. (designed for 18+ pounds of material), and is a bit of an exception. Doesn't matter really how much it gets filled, since it is designed to be filled with rocks and cutting media. Brass and walnut is very light in comparison.

Still, if it is filled with brass to 90% and media added to 100%, there isn't enough room in the bowl for a good vibrating action. Cleaning works, but is slower.