Tumbler

[Chief_10Beers]

My Frankford Arsenal Vibrator/tumbler to a crap after a year and 7000 cases :evil: . The bearings in the motor froze up solid. Called Frankord Arsenal and they will not sell me a replacement motor, got to buy the whole enchilada :evil: .

I'm looking at other Tumblers and I narrowed it down to the Lyman 1200. Who has them and what are your opinions..........................................

 

[Cracker-American]

I am new (6 months) to tumblers. I have the Lyman 1200. With a half and half mixture of walnut and corn cob media and about six hours I get a clean but not bright shiney case. I have nothing to compare that too.

 

[tomisu]

I have a Lyman (not sure of the model #) that I purchased used 15 years ago - and it was well used, but cared for when I purchased it. Still going strong! I tumble about 500 rounds per month if not more, 4-5 hours for the first cleaning after shooting, then again for about an hour after sizing to polish and clean off lube. It has worked so well that I have never considered what I would do if it broke - after thinking about it I would purchase another Lyman!

Tom

 

[gerryb158]

I too use the Lyman and have had it for more years than I want to admit (or remember) and I'd buy another if it quit. Gerry

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I had a Frank/Arse tumbler and it did the same thing. The bearings wore out quickly and the armature froze up. I got it going a couple of times but could not repair it. I have a Lyman 1200 now and like it very much except for the fact that there is no switch, (plug, unplug), it walks across a smooth floor, and the top had vent holes that allow dust to escape. The first two things are non-issues but for the top I took a solid plastic plate, drilled a hole in it, and use that as the top cover now, problem solved. The capacity is less for sure, about 200 .44 magnum shells is full, I think.

...Jimbo

 

[Bucks Owin]

I'm still in the old school "dash of dish soap, vinegar, and hot water" camp for now, it's got me by the past 45 yrs....

I've heard a few folks say the inexpensive Harbor Freight tumbler ain't a bad way to go.... :? .Been watching for one to get a look at locally.

FWIW...

 

[ScatterGun4015]

I have had my rcbs tumbler for about 10 years now and it still runs strong. I used to pack it full of shells, but now will keep it a little more empty. It seems to clean better that way and the motor doesn't sound like it is working as hard.

 

[APEXDUCK]

I've got an old Lyman 1200 Classic Tumbler (no inline switch but solid lid) that is at least 25 years old and still going strong. I would like a little more capacity, but it will do for now. I'm thinking a Dillon if I go bigger, but hard to argue with the use I got from the Lyman.

I have to agree that not over stuffing a tumbler lets it work easier, produces better results in a shorter amount of time.

APEXDUCK

 

[Chief_10Beers]

I had a Frank/Arse tumbler and it did the same thing. The bearings wore out quickly and the armature froze up. I got it going a couple of times but could not repair it. I have a Lyman 1200 now and like it very much except for the fact that there is no switch, (plug, unplug), it walks across a smooth floor, and the top had vent holes that allow dust to escape. The first two things are non-issues but for the top I took a solid plastic plate, drilled a hole in it, and use that as the top cover now, problem solved. The capacity is less for sure, about 200 .44 magnum shells is full, I think.

...Jimbo

Thanks for the INFO, I just ordered one from Midway, on sale for about 43 bucks. As for the slotted lid, I'll just seal it with "PRC" It's a Windscreen/Panel sealent used on Jet Aircraft. I'll also install a inline switch from the dead tumbler...................................

 

[Chief_10Beers]

I'm still in the old school "dash of dish soap, vinegar, and hot water" camp for now, it's got me by the past 45 yrs....

I've heard a few folks say the inexpensive Harbor Freight tumbler ain't a bad way to go.... :? .Been watching for one to get a look at locally.

FWIW...

That's what I do with heavy oxidized Shells that the tumbler can't touch, it does work good.......................................

 

[Chief_10Beers]

I have had my rcbs tumbler for about 10 years now and it still runs strong. I used to pack it full of shells, but now will keep it a little more empty. It seems to clean better that way and the motor doesn't sound like it is working as hard.

I found out that there is a fine line between too much and too little shells for maximum efficiancy......................................

 

[Chief_10Beers]

I've got an old Lyman 1200 Classic Tumbler (no inline switch but solid lid) that is at least 25 years old and still going strong. I would like a little more capacity, but it will do for now. I'm thinking a Dillon if I go bigger, but hard to argue with the use I got from the Lyman.

I have to agree that not over stuffing a tumbler lets it work easier, produces better results in a shorter amount of time.

APEXDUCK

And this is supposed to be Lyman's Large capacity Bowl........................

As long as it last longer than the FA tumbler, I'll be ok with the smaller capacity.................................

 

[Donaldjr1969]

I've heard a few folks say the inexpensive Harbor Freight tumbler ain't a bad way to go.... :? .Been watching for one to get a look at locally.

FWIW...

I have the Harbor Freight 5lb tumbler and it is great! I got it for 50 dollars with a store coupon. I use their fine walnut media with some cheap liquid car polish added and the cases come out spitshined bright after about an hour. However, it will not remove the carbon residue that may remain in the case. But then, ultrasonic cleaning tends to be ineffective on that as well.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Dunno if you've ever considered a rotary tumbler, Chief, but some of the Thumler's models can be used w/ wet as well as dry media. Cabela's has the Model B which is the big "old standard" (15 lbs) for about $180, and some of the rock shops have it for $10-$15 less, along w/ some of the smaller ones going down to 3 lbs for quite a bit less.

Thumler's website is here: http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/index.html I've known rockhound types who swear by the Model B, as do a lot of old time handloaders, who claim you will really have to do some work to wear one out. And all the replacement parts are readily avaliable. Belts are the only thing most folks need to replace, and sewing machine/vacuum cleaner shops can keep one going w/ belts.

They make some industrial grade vibratory units, too. Don't know anyone who's used one of their vibratory models to know if they're worth the extra bucks over the conventional loading company models, though.

Rick C

 

[VA Shooter]

I'm a painter and my former boss has been reloading for 40+ years and he takes his casings and puts them in a plastic paint bucket with 200 casings and corn cob and loads them on a paint shaker for 5 minutes and they look like new money

 

[Chief_10Beers]

Hi,

Dunno if you've ever considered a rotary tumbler, Chief, but some of the Thumler's models can be used w/ wet as well as dry media. Cabela's has the Model B which is the big "old standard" (15 lbs) for about $180, and some of the rock shops have it for $10-$15 less, along w/ some of the smaller ones going down to 3 lbs for quite a bit less.

Thumler's website is here: http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/index.html I've known rockhound types who swear by the Model B, as do a lot of old time handloaders, who claim you will really have to do some work to wear one out. And all the replacement parts are readily avaliable. Belts are the only thing most folks need to replace, and sewing machine/vacuum cleaner shops can keep one going w/ belts.

They make some industrial grade vibratory units, too. Don't know anyone who's used one of their vibratory models to know if they're worth the extra bucks over the conventional loading company models, though.

Rick C

Thanks for the heads up on the cheaper priced units, some of the ones I saw were going for $400 and up :shock: I'll look into it, I might buy one just to augment the one I just bought........................................

 

[Chief_10Beers]

I'm a painter and my former boss has been reloading for 40+ years and he takes his casings and puts them in a plastic paint bucket with 200 casings and corn cob and loads them on a paint shaker for 5 minutes and they look like new money

That's a heck of a way to speed up Case cleaning! ......................................

 

[WESHOOT2]

I (still) use one 'small' Dillon, and one old Midway unit.
I replaced the fusing link in the Midway; the Dillon has soldiered on for hundreds of thousands of cases.

 

[Sgt Garcia]

I started with a Lyman 1200 a lot of years ago (that's more than 20 :? ), it's still going strong and is used for small batches. I've use a large Dillon for big batches.

You usually get what you pay for.....

Dennis.

 

[lipofsky]

Since I needed to put an outlet in for the tumbler I got one with a switch so that with the switch on the outlet is hot and switch off both the tumbler and switch shut down.
The tumbler normally runs about 200-300 9mm or .38 for about 6 hours with walnut media. Works Great