I guess that any type of tumbler that has a thick bowl/barrel would be much quieter than the typical tumblers marketed to reloaders that have just a thin plastic bowl and all around lightweight construction.
Does the Thumler 18 allow for both wet and dry tumbling? One thing I like about my Lortone is that the rubber barrel is watertight, so I can wet tumble cases to remove sizing lube or to clean my plastic media and the barrel using water and TSP.
The Thumbler vibratory is designed for wet/dry polishing, even the lid is gasketed. The top of the bowl is curved inward so the lid will seal, and the centre post of the bowl comes up high, just under the top lip of the bowl, to keep liquid from leaking down the centre "tie down" rod.
The bowl and lid are made of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and is at least 3/8" thick (the Industrial model) and smooth inside, and is one of the reasons it is quiet. The lid is even thicker and has radial ribs to help keep pressure on the gasket around the outside. They are also very solid machines, designed to run continuously for months or years, polishing rocks.
18 Industrial - without lid (designed to hold over 18 lbs)
45 Industrial - with lid (designed for up to 57lbs)
Vibratory is much faster than rotary, and doesn't peen the case mouths like a rotary if you use stainless media.
Yep, they are expensive, but also the last tumbler you will ever buy. I got mine in the US about 4 or 5 years ago, and was relatively inexpensive compared to what they cost now.
Or if you want a bigger unit thats cheaper but noisier, and will even wet polish,
Harbour Freight $219 US -> 3 1/2 cubic feet
