Frankford Arsenal Wet Tumbler -

[MDphotographer]

How about a pic or 2 of the FA wet tumbler?

Here are a couple pics of my FA tumbler

[rollmyown]

Do they make a 240 volt version?

[Silverboolit]

I put a little white grease on the O ring end seals. Makes the end caps tighten easier and helps stop the leaks. They leak a little if the ends are not on tight. Otherwise, works as it should.

[mactool]

NExt year they will release a 240v version, they are testing it right now

[rollmyown]

Any news on a 240 volt version? Any idea who sells them or will ship overseas?
Midway USA doesn't.

[hunter49]

Good write up on the FA tumbler. I purchased my thumler's tumbler model b about two years ago and completely satisfied. I would have purchased the FA tumbler if it had been available due to the large capacity of cases you can tumble. Example; I can only tumble 230 9mm cases at a time which is what's recommended on the case load chart that was provided.

My tumble routine is now 2 table spoons of ArmorAll ultra shine wash and wax (recommended by members here) and 1/4 teaspoon lemi shine. Tumble decapped cases for 3-4 hrs, drain, rinse in warm water, use cabelas media seperator, place cartridges on towel, place in food dehydrator for an hour and then sort by headstamp and store.

The cases inside and out along with primer pockets look brand new. The best thing is the cases do not tarnish as they did using Dawn dishsoap.

[Bayou52]

Example; I can only tumble 230 9mm cases at a time which is what's recommended on the case load chart that was provided.

hunter49 -

I have the same Thumlers model B that you have. As you say, the directions that came with my Thumlers said to use 2 pounds of brass per batch. I followed these directions for several years with great results. Recently, however, I've been experimenting with using larger batches of brass in the drum.

Specifically, I doubled the batch size from 2 to 4 pounds of brass. Instead of filling the drum with water, I added only enough to go about a couple inches or so over the brass. So, less water and more brass. Like you, I use auto wash and wax (a couple of ounces) snd 1/4 TSP Lemi- Shine. I also tumble for 4 hours and use 5 pounds of pins.

Even with the larger amount of brass, the Thumler's motor is not at all straining. Thr motor starts the drum rotating without having to nudge it to start. No over-heating/motor issues.

The results are just as spectacular as when using a smaller batch of brass. So, the experiment seems to have yielded good and useful information, for me at least.

See pic of tumbled brass in a larger batch.

Happy Tumbling -

Bayou52

[Skipper]

220 volt is available

http://www.btibrands.com/product/pla...mbler-220volt/

[hunter49]

Bayou52,

Thank you for the useful info and the brass looks great, I will definately give that a try.

[Bayou52]

Bayou52,

Thank you for the useful info and the brass looks great, I will definately give that a try.

hunter49 -

I'd be interested to hear how larger batches of brass work for you in your Thumlers.

Thanks - Bayou52

[hunter49]

Bayou52,

I will keep you updated and will be doing a batch tomorrow doubling the cases up as you suggested.
Thank you

[hunter49]

Bayou52,

Update on doubling brass in thumlers tumbler, I just completed a 4-hr tumble as you suggested and am quite pleased with the results. I want to thank you for your suggestion.

[James6406]

Just noticed that Cabelas has both the Franford and Thumler's discounted on their website. Frankford is $169.99 and Thumler's is $174.99.

[Bayou52]

Bayou52,

Update on doubling brass in thumlers tumbler, I just completed a 4-hr tumble as you suggested and am quite pleased with the results. I want to thank you for your suggestion.

Hi, hunter49 -

I'm glad you had a good result on your doubling of your Thumler's capacity. My tumbling batches generally aren't of large quantities, but this will help speed things up a bit whenever I do have somewhat of a larger batch.

Happy Tumbling...

Bayou52

[PhatForrest]

They're on sale at cabelas right now for 149.99.

This tumbler will make snotty range brass shine like new! I've done about 1500 cases in the last 24 hours since I purchased it.

[rodsvet]

If anyone is interested, Midway sells an extra FART drum for $69. If my tumbler ever dies, I'll use the FART drum and make a metal framed drive unit. It would be the best of both worlds. Rod

[mongoose33]

Just noticed that Cabelas has both the Franford and Thumler's discounted on their website. Frankford is $169.99 and Thumler's is $174.99.

And the FART includes the stainless steel media...and it has a timer.

I think that's a heck of a deal.

I have both the Thumlers and the FART. While I don't know what the service lifetime of the FART will be, it's a far better system IMO. I hate those wingnuts on the Thumlers tumbler, and the Thumlers drum is harder to handle for me.

At the price Cabelas is selling the FART, I can't imagine why anyone would choose a Thumler's Tumbler, unless it's because they want to tumble rocks too. It was all I could do not to buy a second FART!

[Pee Wee]

I just got the Rebel 17 for $215.00 and have been very satisfied with it. I did a thousand rounds of 38s for 2 hrs. They look like brand new brass inside and out. 500 rounds of 223. same result. I purchased a dehydrator from harbor freight for $20.00 and brass is dry inside and out in less than a hr. I had a bigdawg style washer that was cumbersome and a pain to use. rinsing the brass was a chore with a hose in the yard, trying to hold the drum up to rinse out the brass some before putting in the spinner, the cap, I always had to have a tool to put on and take off. It just was a pain. With the rebel it holds as much or more, no tool for opening and closing, they have replaced the wing nuts with nice round knobs, Its much quieter. You can barley hear it running. (which the wife likes) the entire inside of the drum is rubber. I just set it in the work sink and rinse, throw in spinner, take to dryer and done. I love it.

[L Erie Caster]

I have been using the Rebel 17 for over 2 years now and am happy with it. But I might have gone with the FART if it had been available at the time.