Stainless pins arrived, now I need a little help

i'm curious as to why you put the top on an angle like that? the only reason i can see is you so didn't have to buy 2 more pillow block bearings.

One advantage that I can see, is that it places more weight on the drive roller, which will help prevent slippage.
 
i can't completely tell, but from the pictures it looks like the rollers are at the same height, it's just the frame that's off center.


Correct, looks like he had to due to the height of the pillow blocks and the fact that the other roller is centered in the square tubing.
 
i like how you used the motors weight to put tension on the belt, although it may slip on start up with a full drum. i'm curious as to why you put the top on an angle like that? the only reason i can see is you so didn't have to buy 2 more pillow block bearings.
i assume that's 1" square tubing?

That is how I always mount motors. I suppose if slippage was a issue you could add a spring, but I have never had to on any of my builds. And yes the tubing is 0.100" 1X1.

i can't completely tell, but from the pictures it looks like the rollers are at the same height, it's just the frame that's off center.
Rollers are same height. The angle is only to maintain roller height.


Correct, looks like he had to due to the height of the pillow blocks and the fact that the other roller is centered in the square tubing.
Yup. I had one set of pillow blocks on hand, and a pair of bearings to build my idler. Gotta build with what you have... :)
 
Yes I tried the search function but it seems there are many versions, and I am looking for the best - or at least the standard. My tumbler is pretty much done, my stainless pins arrived, picked up some lemishine, but now need help with the receipe and operation. Do I fill the drum with water? hot or cold? Do I only need lemishine or do I need soap aswell? how much brass can I add? how long to run it? The drum turns at 45rpm. Thanks for the help.

Tumbler_zpsb6d6bfea.jpg

Wow that tumbler is pretty SWEET!!!!!!

Wish i had one like that, would allow me to do many cases at once..

Good job..

RDG
 
What's the drum made of?

I'm just using a "old/new" treadmill (one year old model) I got for free and fixed within 1.5 hours. I like the adjustable speed and durability of the unit but I've yet to find a nice drum... I was going to use it to also run my dog when the weather is really cold, but I'm thinking since its a funtional treadmill I should jump on it too.....
 
Well, first batch is done and I am happy. I want more pins, and will use more cases next time - but overall I am quite happy. The machine and drum worked perfectly, and cleanup wasn't near as bad as I was expecting.
 
Well, first batch is done and I am happy. I want more pins, and will use more cases next time - but overall I am quite happy. The machine and drum worked perfectly, and cleanup wasn't near as bad as I was expecting.


Glad to hear it! I decided early on that 5 lbs wasn't enough pins, it works MUCH better with more, less peening and cleans better.
 
Maybe this is a thread I can ask this.

Does anybody have an issue with the brass coming out of the stainless tumbler spotless, but darkening after drying?

I know the first couple times I used way too much Lemishine and I'm wondering if it maybe alterted the brass' chemical make-up on the outside.

I reduced the amount quite a bit on my last go-around and still darkened. It doesn't bother me much but I'd love to keep them ultra shiney.
 
Well, first batch is done and I am happy. I want more pins, and will use more cases next time - but overall I am quite happy. The machine and drum worked perfectly, and cleanup wasn't near as bad as I was expecting.

With the size of your drum i would say you would need at least 10 if not 15 lbs of pins for that monster.. What is the internal volume of your drum???

RDG
 
Maybe this is a thread I can ask this.

Does anybody have an issue with the brass coming out of the stainless tumbler spotless, but darkening after drying?

I know the first couple times I used way too much Lemishine and I'm wondering if it maybe alterted the brass' chemical make-up on the outside.

I reduced the amount quite a bit on my last go-around and still darkened. It doesn't bother me much but I'd love to keep them ultra shiney.

I have done a bit of experimentation with Lemishine... Lemishine is crystalized citric acid so when you put it into water it is acidic. Don't
forget the drop of detergent. For the large Thumbler barrel i use about a 9mm case just full of lemishine. Always use cold water..
I used to use very hot water and found it promotes the darkening of the brass. It is likely the chemistry of the acidic environment on the brass that is
causing it to darken.. so if you use cold water and limit the amount of time for exposure you will get nice shiny brass.. i only wash for a few hours..

In my small Thumbler tumblers i use only 1/2 of a 9mm case full... but if you leave your tumbler overnight with too high a concentration of lemishine
you will get dark brass.

Good luck

RDG
 
With the size of your drum i would say you would need at least 10 if not 15 lbs of pins for that monster.. What is the internal volume of your drum???

RDG

Its deceiving because of the wall thickness. Off the top of my head: the od is about 11", with a wall thickness of about 1.25" so the id should be about 8.5". The outside length is 10 or 11" and the ends go inside 3/4" or so on each end so the inside length would be around 8.5" - 9.5".
 
I have done a bit of experimentation with Lemishine... Lemishine is crystalized citric acid so when you put it into water it is acidic. Don't
forget the drop of detergent. For the large Thumbler barrel i use about a 9mm case just full of lemishine. Always use cold water..
I used to use very hot water and found it promotes the darkening of the brass. It is likely the chemistry of the acidic environment on the brass that is
causing it to darken.. so if you use cold water and limit the amount of time for exposure you will get nice shiny brass.. i only wash for a few hours..

In my small Thumbler tumblers i use only 1/2 of a 9mm case full... but if you leave your tumbler overnight with too high a concentration of lemishine
you will get dark brass.

Good luck

RDG

Thanks!

I'll try reducing the quantity again. Like my cooking, I just go by feel and I've been putting a lot in. I also thought it was tablespoon and not teaspoon so I will decrease my QTY much less. We have very good water here so shouldn't have an issue with minerals, etc.

I have also been using hot water which probably isn't helping. Tumbling anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hours and 1.6 MPH to 2.2MPH. (It's on a treadmill, haha)

Next I'll try 1.6 at 2.5-3 hours, cold water, and very little lemishine. I've went from whatever soap I had to Dawn which the instructions mention. Not sure why specific brands are mentioned over others...
 
1/4 teaspoon per batch is what I use for lemishine. And have always used cold water. The one time I used hot when I first got the tumbler, I ended up with a few hundred very dark 40 cal brass. I used too much lemishine, hot water and 4 hours. Won't do that again.
 
Trying right now with some old 9mm cases I had laying around. I don't own a handgun but was going to do some loading for a buddy for poops and giggles. We'll see how they turn out. I used very little lemishine and less soap and cold water. I SHOULD be measuring, but probably 1/4-1/2 teaspoon.
 
what are people using for motors on their home brew tumblers? I have a 1/3 HP furnace motor on mine, but after running it for half an hlour last last, it become super hot. Thoughts? Might have to see if Princess Auto or someplace had some surplus treadmill motors and give one of those a whirl instead.
 
what are people using for motors on their home brew tumblers? I have a 1/3 HP furnace motor on mine, but after running it for half an hlour last last, it become super hot. Thoughts? Might have to see if Princess Auto or someplace had some surplus treadmill motors and give one of those a whirl instead.

My treadmill motor has a fan on the end. Adding a small computer fan to yours would probably solve the issue.
 
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