Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler

[aht_six]

I'm considering buying a rotary tumbler so I can start cleaning my brass with SS pin media.

Does anyone have experience with the Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler? It goes for $190 and includes 5 pounds of SS pin media.

http://youtu.be/QodAM7RulyE

[Ghost]

I don't have one but have been considering one.

I was leaning towards the Thumlers Tumbler Kit from Brownell's, might be worth considering for the extra $40
http://www.brownells.com/reloading/case-cleaning/case-tumblers-accessories/thumler-s-tumbler-stainless-steel-tumbling-kit-prod42993.aspx?dym=y

[LarryFlew]

Also consider the use - opening and closing is a LOT easier when you have a screw top vs several bolts.

[aht_six]

The Thumler’s Tumbler has a 15 pound total capacity, they claim with 5 pounds of pins and a gallon of water, it can clean 2 pounds of brass at a time. According to my scale, 2 pounds of brass is less than 200 de-primed .223's.

The Frankford Arsenal tumbler has a maximum capacity of 30 pounds, they claim it will clean 1000 .223 cases at time. It would seem the Frankford Arsenal tumbler might be a better choice for larger volumes of brass.

[Rodentman]

I invite you to consider the MOdel 17 from:

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

It is the upgraded Thumlers with ball bearing rollers and a fully powder coated drum to inhibit the rusting problems inherent with the red drum.



If capacity is an issue, note that this model will clean 275-300 223's in one load. I find it functional, especially since I don't often have large volumes to clean unless I save the brass up for a couple of weeks.

Note that it's not good when tumbling brass that will fit inside other calibers, like 38 and 44 at the same time. GS sells little nylon bags that I use to isolate calibers. If they get jammed into each other thy don't get as clean and they trap pins and create extra work to process.

[Deputyhiro]

Got the thumblers ar12. I load the hell out of it. Works great.

[jshuberg]

I invite you to consider the MOdel 17 from:

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

I've got one of these. It works fantastic and can tumble 4lbs of brass compared to the 2lbs a Thumler can handle.

If you put a small amount of Chapstick around the mouth of the rubber on rubber seal, it eliminates the difficulty of peeling the lid off.

[OldmanFCSA]

I must really be tumbling wrong !!! Who or Why weigh brass ???

I used 4 Thumler Tumblers Model B barrels on my homemade shaft arrangement at once.

I use 5-7 pounds of SS Pins, up to 750 pieces of 223 brass in each barrel, fill to within 1/2" of top with cold water, 2X 3"Dia squirts of Dawn soap, and a healthy dash of LemiShine, Then close up barrels and tumble 8 to 14 hours as needed dependent on how dirty brass was at start.

My drying machine takes about 15 minutes to dry 750 223 cases.
Must be careful with 9mm, 40, or 45 cases to prevent blowing across shop.

My most recent Trainees loved my drying machine.

[Rodentman]

I invite you to consider the MOdel 17 from:

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

I've got one of these. It works fantastic and can tumble 4lbs of brass compared to the 2lbs a Thumler can handle.

If you put a small amount of Chapstick around the mouth of the rubber on rubber seal, it eliminates the difficulty of peeling the lid off.

Thank you for the Chapstick tip! The seal is indeed trough to peel off and I'm always afraid I'll tear the stinking thing! Will give it a try.

[20mm]

I'm considering buying a rotary tumbler so I can start cleaning my brass with SS pin media.

Does anyone have experience with the Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler? It goes for $190 and includes 5 pounds of SS pin media.

http://youtu.be/QodAM7RulyE

Hah hah hah... You would be better off rolling a paint can down your stairs.

[aht_six]

....Hah hah hah... You would be better off rolling a paint can down your stairs.

So....do you have any first knowledge of, or experience with tumblers?

[Scratch]

I have a rotary tumbler, (neither the Frankford or the Thumblers) but the Frankford seems like it's going too fast to me...

Anyone else think so?

[mzdadoc]

My Thumler works great and I took mine apart after my first use to paint the inside of the drum. I don't do the volume you guys do and that really hurts my feelings!!!!!

[20mm]

....Hah hah hah... You would be better off rolling a paint can down your stairs.

So....do you have any first knowledge of, or experience with tumblers?

Yes I just described a gravity powered one that will last about as long as a CrapFort Arsenal one will.