SlowBurn
09-01-2015, 01:20 AM
I discovered that I don't like cleaning primer pockets. Actually, I discovered that I hate cleaning primer pockets. After reading the many posts here showing off brass cleaned using a wet tumbler, I decided that I needed one too, and that I could probably put one together without spending much money.
I started with an old free treadmill from the local "buy and sell". I was hoping for a DC motor with speed controller, but instead found an AC motor with a mechanical CVT - cool.
Next component was a short length of 6" PVC pipe found in the junk pile at a local construction site. I had to buy a PVC cap and a rubber cap - these were the most expensive purchases.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5775/20429404923_2113f67275_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/x8h3kn)
I was targeting 2 gallon capacity, so trimmed the pipe, glued in some speed bumps and glued on the cap.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/657/21050480975_57187858ce_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y5adBa)
I chopped out the middle of the treadmill, and re-welded the end roller on top of the frame - the intent was to transfer most of the weight onto the driven roller, and let the idle roller just balance the load. I shortened the uprights and reused the on/off switch and the speed control knob - turn clockwise to pivot the motor tighter, causing the CVT pulley to expand and decrease roller speed. I reused the plastic frame caps/feet - the tumbler doesn't travel when turned on. To keep the load from rubbing the pulley, I bought a roller ball. A scrap piece of UHMW plastic keeps the load from walking the other way.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5618/20429418143_f4ba103298_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/x8h7gi)
3/4" plywood rings increase the diameter to provide clearance for the rubber cap - now I understand why many of the PVC pipe designs use a glued on reducer. Scrap pieces of split 6" pipe are glued on to keep the plywood rings in place.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/660/21024254596_d8a7c0b2f5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y2QNqd)
I'm using a fairly standard recipe:
10 lbs stainless media
7.5 lbs brass (about 300 rounds of .303 British)
about 2 US gallons hot water
1.5 tbs Dawn
1 tsp Lemi Shine
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/776/21040536122_48968e08a0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y4hfmb)
My wife has the best cooling rack ever - works great for sorting and drying brass.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5645/21050465875_278d493873_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y5a97P)
The original handle makes it easy to transport and store upright, taking a bit less space. The new rubber feet were the last purchase - all in, I spent about $33.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/613/21058112631_7c825d75b3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y5Qker)
Thanks to all who've posted details about their home-made tumblers; helped me to get out of primer pocket cleaning.
I started with an old free treadmill from the local "buy and sell". I was hoping for a DC motor with speed controller, but instead found an AC motor with a mechanical CVT - cool.
Next component was a short length of 6" PVC pipe found in the junk pile at a local construction site. I had to buy a PVC cap and a rubber cap - these were the most expensive purchases.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5775/20429404923_2113f67275_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/x8h3kn)
I was targeting 2 gallon capacity, so trimmed the pipe, glued in some speed bumps and glued on the cap.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/657/21050480975_57187858ce_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y5adBa)
I chopped out the middle of the treadmill, and re-welded the end roller on top of the frame - the intent was to transfer most of the weight onto the driven roller, and let the idle roller just balance the load. I shortened the uprights and reused the on/off switch and the speed control knob - turn clockwise to pivot the motor tighter, causing the CVT pulley to expand and decrease roller speed. I reused the plastic frame caps/feet - the tumbler doesn't travel when turned on. To keep the load from rubbing the pulley, I bought a roller ball. A scrap piece of UHMW plastic keeps the load from walking the other way.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5618/20429418143_f4ba103298_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/x8h7gi)
3/4" plywood rings increase the diameter to provide clearance for the rubber cap - now I understand why many of the PVC pipe designs use a glued on reducer. Scrap pieces of split 6" pipe are glued on to keep the plywood rings in place.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/660/21024254596_d8a7c0b2f5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y2QNqd)
I'm using a fairly standard recipe:
10 lbs stainless media
7.5 lbs brass (about 300 rounds of .303 British)
about 2 US gallons hot water
1.5 tbs Dawn
1 tsp Lemi Shine
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/776/21040536122_48968e08a0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y4hfmb)
My wife has the best cooling rack ever - works great for sorting and drying brass.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5645/21050465875_278d493873_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y5a97P)
The original handle makes it easy to transport and store upright, taking a bit less space. The new rubber feet were the last purchase - all in, I spent about $33.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/613/21058112631_7c825d75b3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y5Qker)
Thanks to all who've posted details about their home-made tumblers; helped me to get out of primer pocket cleaning.