Thumler's Tumbler Clone

[Ickisrulz]

It looks like the vendor has another "Ballistic Bill's tumbler available. This has already been talked about here. But if someone was interested it's on e-bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-15-lb-Ro...p2056016.l4276

[Drew P]

Anyone have this? Looks real nice for the price

[Ickisrulz]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-15-lb-tumbler

[Bayou52]

Yep, looks like a Thumlers knock-off for a much lower price.

Has anyone tried one of these. I'd be interested in learning of its quality, etc.

Bayou52

[salpal48]

I have One . It is basically Identical. all parts Interchange . Hi speed 3000 RPM motor . The carriage Has the Back strap and the lock screws are different.. Motor is the same . . liner is the same. Runs well
There is no indication where it made , No manufacturer. Just basic Generic Instruction.
For the price It's Good. Planing to order another.
The machine is shipped from Meridian ID. The blue Paint Is Identical To a Diamond Pacific. it is not a Homemade job.

[Bayou52]

Thanks for the comments, sal. Sounds as though it's as good as a Thumlers, but much cheaper.

Is the large drive pulley adjustable in some way? Seems as though I read something somewhere about the drive pulley being a bit different from a Thumlers.

Thanks -

Bayou52

[salpal48]

The large Drive wheel Is not adjustable On the shaft. That is the same as The Thumler model B

[Bayou52]

Thanks, sal....

Bayou52

[Drew P]

I snagged one and am going to try this wet tumbling thing. Didn't really need to but it's a tool I'll likely use for other tasks as well so what the heck. I'm wondering if it will allow me to powder coat boolits.

[Bayou52]

I've got the Thumlers but I'm not familiar with powder coating.

[salpal48]

I have been Running mine for a Few days. Cleaning with media. . I think there Very good. Ran 200 06 overnight.
I am not a Fan Of pins.
if you wanted to Buy an extra Thumler drum it costs over $100.00. .
. works well for me

[Drew P]

So you're using walnut?

[salpal48]

Yes, I use Walnut, Plastic Beads and Non abrasive Ceramic. Pins cause More damage than what there worth

[Drew P]

So is it okay to use this type of tumbler for rocks too, or is that going to introduce grits into my brass that aught not be there?

[VHoward]

Just so long as you clean the drum out real well after tumbling the rocks, your fine.

[VHoward]

I have used the pins. They wok well. I have switched to ceramic balls. I think they are either 2mm or 3mm in diameter. Cases get just as clean, but there is none of that brass "dust" that I was seeing with the pins.

[Drew P]

I was wondering about the ceramic balls. Do you need less lbs of media because the ceramic is higher volume/lb? Also, do they pack in cases or stick surface tension- like on stuff? I ordered larger pins because I was reading how they like to stick to soap bubbles and cases which sounded annoying.
I also considered stainless balls, as I'm not super anal about primer pockets being perfect.

[salpal48]

Ceramic Bead Clean well. But They make different sizes . Yes they will pack The case. You must use a size not to fit. They will Not clean the inside Of the case or Primer pockets. . Ceramic Triangles will clean the pockets but will not Fit in cases. Both require soap and water
To me walnut Cleans well. But not all walnut Is the same. There are Grades better and sharper Than Others

[Drew P]

I'll try the pins first and see how that goes. Tried out some harbor freight ceramic media to smooth up the latest batch of sleazyjects ad it did a bang up job in 5 hours. These are solid stainless steel parts that I have laser cut.

[Drew P]

Okay well just got in my pins and my citric acid so I immediately dropped work and headed to the reloading room to fire it up. Went looking for some brass to tumble and came to a conclusion that I probably had before but forgot. I'm getting a little dim in old age. Anyway, here's the rub, I don't want to size shiny finished cases because they are so shiny, so I need to SS tumble sized cases only, but can't size them until I clean them and I can only clean them in a tumbler so I guess my rifle case process is to dry tumble, lube, size, then SS wet tumble.
Is this what others are doing?

What about progressive pistol loading? Do you just size the shiny brass progressive? Does it make ugly?