tumbling on wood floor?

E

eg23

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Ok,
I'm just getting into reloading. I just bought a tumbler and I want to start tumbling my 9mm brass. Be patient please, I'm a total nervous newbie. I was reading the instructions that came with the vibrating tumbler and it says I have to place the machine on a concrete floor. My basement has a wood subfloor that is solid...can I tumble on it or is it to "soft". I know this is a really stupid question but I really want to get into reloading and I am a little nervous about it.
Thanks for the help and patients...I'm sure this is the first of many questions.
Eric
 
Hi Eric,

First off congrats on getting into reloading. It's fun and measurable increases in accuracy can be obtained. The instructions for your tumbler indicate that it should not be used on a surface that has give to it, like a carpet. Their recomendation of a concrete floor is mainly to cut down on noise. So, go ahead and use it on your subfloor.

Phil aka tazzman
 
Welcome to Reloading

.. Tumblers can make an "Annoying" and constant noise. What I use is piece of Playground Rubber Matting beneath the Tumbler. Deadens the sound just enough to keep the Wife Off my Back ! ..... Similar Workshop matting would work just as well. Carpet also raises the possibility, of "Fluff" being sucked into the Motor and attendant Fire Hazard. "Lizard Litter" from your local Pet Store, works very well, and is cheaper than specially marked, "Tumbling Media" ( Both are Crushed Walnut Shells)....David K ;)
 
U will be fine. You should see my "neighbour underneath me friendly tumbler vibration dampening contraption" that i use. Just remember not to overload your tumbler as less is more... and you will finish 2 small batches faster then one big one. There would be less noise too.
 
Thanks so much for the replies and encouragement. I'll do a batch and let you guys know how I make out.
Thanks again.
Eric
 
The instructions say place tumbler on a concrete floor because the hard surface will allow the tumbler to work with maximum efficiency.

If you place the tumbler on a soft surface like carpet or foam, which will absorb the vibration from the tumbler's motor or base, less vibration will be transmitted to the tumbler bowl and therefore the tumbling effect on the brass will be weaker, so the brass will be less clean. On a hard floor, all the vibration is transferred to the bowl, and not dissipated into the soft floor.

The tumbler will also run quieter on a concrete floor, i.e garage floor or basement slab.

Another issue with placing tumbler on carpet or foam is that the bottom vent holes may be covered and your motor may overheat greatly reducing its life or even cause burnout.
 
Easyrider hit the nail on the head. Deadening the vibration to eliminate noise will reduce the amount of vibration to the bowl. Makes less noise but takes much longer to get the job done.You need to decide which is better for your application. I put mine on a timer and at 3:00 in the morning, nobody complains!
 
I`ve use both rotrary and vibrating tumblers, they have been used on a concrete floor, my wood work bench and on carpet, all work just great. Just a note of interest, if you are using crushed walnut it is very dusty, when you have the casings in the cleaner with the media also add a half sheet of fabric softener, I use bounce sheets, it picks up the dust really well, try it you will like it. One more suggestion, buying crushed walnut from your local gun shop is expensive, I get a 50 lb. bag for $15.00 from my local industrial supply store. Enjoy !!!.
 
Mine works just fine on a carpeted floor. A cardboard box over it deadens the noise.
"...absorb the vibration from the tumbler's motor or base..." If it does that there's something wrong with it.
 
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