Homemade Tumbler Bucket?

[Cue]

I want to build a Wet tumbler for use with SS media and I cannot find a watertight bucket or drum to use. I want at least a 5 gallon bucket, and have tried the gamma seals, leaktite seals Home Depot sells, regular lids but they all leak a bit when turned on the side. Anyone know where to find a drum that wont leak water? Something like this drum would be great but I cant find anyone that sells just the drums otehr than MJR for $145, trying to do it cheaper than that.

https://www.amazon.com/MJR-Tumblers-40-lb-Tumbler/dp/B07BDJHJQZ

[dragon813gt]

You can make one out of PVC. But it won’t exactly be cheap. Large diameter pipe and fittings are neither cheap or common.

[richj]

I haven't used my Thumbler tumbler in ages but they say these are water tight. but only 1 gallon by my calculation.

https://rocktumbler.com/thumlers/model-b-tumbler-parts.shtml

[richj]

This may be silly but the right track cement mixer buckets.

https://www.amleo.com/leonard-odjob-concrete-and-material-mixer/p/ODJOB/?kc=amlshop19n,&mkwid=sXBgeFD0O|dc&pcrid=51228668872&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&prd=ODJOB,ODJOB&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=cpc&slid=&pgrid=9478621312&ptaid=pla-72228382192&gclid=CjwKCAiA45njBRBwEiwASnZT54e7IvCX_KuDqY9xXv8T ak6g4Wi2BO90tEDkKo63H7HEUdBOkIkDYxoCo2cQAvD_BwE

[Cue]

This may be silly but the right track cement mixer buckets.

https://www.amleo.com/leonard-odjob-concrete-and-material-mixer/p/ODJOB/?kc=amlshop19n,&mkwid=sXBgeFD0O|dc&pcrid=51228668872&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&prd=ODJOB,ODJOB&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=cpc&slid=&pgrid=9478621312&ptaid=pla-72228382192&gclid=CjwKCAiA45njBRBwEiwASnZT54e7IvCX_KuDqY9xXv8T ak6g4Wi2BO90tEDkKo63H7HEUdBOkIkDYxoCo2cQAvD_BwE

I saw those, would have to figure out how to get it to roll on rollers.

I have a Frankford arsenal, thumlers and 2 Lyman Cyclones, I am looking for something larger.

[Stephen Cohen]

I saw those, would have to figure out how to get it to roll on rollers.

I have a Frankford arsenal, thumlers and 2 Lyman Cyclones, I am looking for something larger.

Have a look on utube you will find several that have direct drive from motor to the bucket, you could rig it to support on the screw top I think. I use a 5 gal or 20litre bucket tired into my cement mixer and it works for what I do. Regards Stephen

[Conditor22]

I made this to help with my bucket lid.
https://i.imgur.com/j4GdmDn.jpg

You can buy replacement O-rings, I replace mine when the seal becomes finicky

The trick is to not overtighten them.
I made a 2 gal bucket setup. 5 gallon would be too heavy for me
https://i.imgur.com/eBafSuv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RLFUtJn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/J9rzhUy.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3S1Jl3L.jpg

[Cue]

I have the design down, just need to find a large container that wont leak water.

[Winger Ed.]

Even a open bucket will work if it is tilted up like a cement mixer barrel.

[Cue]

Even a open bucket will work if it is tilted up like a cement mixer barrel.

Yes but I wont be able to put much in it or the water will splash out all over, tried that with a cement mixer. I may order one of those oddjob buckets and just get it to fit tight inside a 5 gallon bucket that will be mounted direct drive.

[jmorris]

I used 100 lb chlorine buckets, lids seal tight, easy to open and free. If you know someone that has a pool or catch a pool guy before he throws them away.

They are 12.7 gallons. Here are the details.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?135223-Homemade-wet-tumbler-for-stainless-steel-media&highlight=Stainless+tumbler

[Itzdapig]

A gallon paint can from home depot will do the job as well. I use one for small jobs and my PVC for the large ones.

[Cue]

Too bad I dont know anyone with a pool.

[Cue]

A gallon paint can from home depot will do the job as well. I use one for small jobs and my PVC for the large ones.

A gallon is way too small, I already have the 4 posted tumblers above and they are too small and are larger than a gallon. Im talking about 7-8000 pieces at once I want to tumble.

[Winger Ed.]

Too bad I dont know anyone with a pool.
Check out the pool service maint. guys and make your best deal.
They have contracts to service/maintain private pools.

They'd have empty buckets from those chemicals.

[Stephen Cohen]

I get several 5gall 20litre buckets from building sites as painters get their paint in these plastic resealable buckets and I just wash out the paint. Regards Stephen

[NyFirefighter357]

I had the same problem with the 2.5 & 5gal buckets. I scratch that plan and located a couple of olive barrels to use. https://i.imgur.com/2UMyiqE.jpg

[Cue]

Where did you find olive barrels?

[Conditor22]

Same question and what size are they?

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=132073

[SvenLindquist]

Same question and what size are they?

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=132073

Dimensions are shown .

[Conditor22]

this bucket should work

https://www.uline.com/Product/AdvSearchResult?KeywordTyped=screw%20top&keywords=Screw%20Top%20Pails

or

https://www.uline.com/BL_8173/Screw-Top-Pails?keywords=Screw+Top+Pails

[NyFirefighter357]

I got them from customers, I have two red and a blue. I know one customer got them from a middle eastern store that sells olives, they may also use them for pickles as you can find the 55gal sold as olive/pickle barrels. You can try any grocery store that has an "olive bar" or maybe a Greek restaurant or dinner. They are about 5gals. https://i.imgur.com/Z3Q6Xqs.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aL8TkUW.jpg

[onelight]

Could one of these Odjob cement mixer buckets be made to work?
https://www.gardenersedge.com/leonard-odjob-concrete-and-material-mixer/p/ODJOB/

[JimB..]

A 35 gal poly drum at mounted at an angle would do a lot of brass.

You can buy the 45lb drum from STM, it works well for batches up to a 50cal ammo can plus a bit.

[Dragonheart]

I usually tumble about a thousand+ cases at a time so I use an Igloo water jug. It has a screw on lid/sealing ring and vent in the lid that can be opened. I also have a one gallon jug for smaller batches. When the tumbling process starts there is a pressure build up that can pop out plugs or push liquid past poor seals. After running for a couple of minutes I stop and open the valve to release the pressure then continue. Having a built in valve is a plus. I picked up my jugs from a Goodwill store for about $3 each.

[fast ronnie]

I built mine from PVC pipe, but it was a little more expensive than buckets. I used 6", but they are available much larger. I cut strips from PVC pipe and glued inside for riffles so the brass would tumble instead of sliding. I've seen some pretty big PVC. It can be found in areas that do a lot of irrigaton.

[Kenstone]

I usually tumble about a thousand+ cases at a time so I use an Igloo water jug. It has a screw on lid/sealing ring and vent in the lid that can be opened. I also have a one gallon jug for smaller batches. When the tumbling process starts there is a pressure build up that can pop out plugs or push liquid past poor seals. After running for a couple of minutes I stop and open the valve to release the pressure then continue. Having a built in valve is a plus. I picked up my jugs from a Goodwill store for about $3 each.

Good use/repurposing of a common item.
Do you add any internal paddles to tumble the brass?
How do you attach them without making leak points?
just askin'
:mrgreen:
edit: the suds/foam of the added soap creates the pressure build-up, adding a few drops of fabric softener will kill the soap suds and end the pressure build up 8-)

[Dragonheart]

Good use/repurposing of a common item.
Do you add any internal paddles to tumble the brass?
How do you attach them without making leak points?
just askin'
:mrgreen:
edit: the suds/foam of the added soap creates the pressure build-up, adding a few drops of fabric softener will kill the soap suds and end the pressure build up 8-)

Yes, I used 3/4" aluminum angle. I sanded the inside plastic to roughen the surface then put a few holes in the angle that contacted the inside of the cooler and bonded it down with a good epoxy, not the junk Harbor Freight sells. I considered using some blind rivets, but decided to just try the epoxy alone. So far it is holding.

My first container was a one gallon glass jar with a 4" mouth. I sand blasted the mouth and areas under the angle to roughen the glass. Epoxy down the angle and epoxy to hold down a wrap of wire mesh around the outside of the jar. I used a 4" expanding plumbing plug to seal the mouth. The jar still works well and I like to be able to see the contents as they clean, but is only one gallon. After a minute or two you need to pop the seal on the 4" plug to relieve the pressure, otherwise the plug can pop out; don't ask how I know this.

6 & 8 inch pvc pipe makes excellent tumbler buckets, but pipe is not cheap and the fittings and plug cost more than the pipe.

I will give the fabric softer a try, thanks for the tip. I have tried several cleaning combinations, but so far Dawn and citric acid seem to do the best. Armor-all car wash does let the brass keep it's shine longer, but doesn't clean as fast as the Dawn. I vibrate polish my brass in fine walnut after cleaning anyway. A little Nufinish car wax in the walnut media keeps the brass shine.

[loveruger]

Look for a local company that refills fire extinguishers the dry powder comes in a 5 gal pail. They have a rubber seal in the lid to keep moisture out and reseal tight.

[NoZombies]

The opening is small, but I knew a guy who used 5 gallon water cooler jugs (with handles) for wet tumbling on a home--made rig. He had a funnel that let him get things in pretty quick, and the neck worked to dump things pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure he was paying under $10 a piece for them.

He wasn't using pins, but I'm sure you could.

ETA: his funnel was another jug cut off about an inch below the shoulder, and some rubber hose as a coupler.

[Kenstone]

Yes, I used 3/4" aluminum angle. I sanded the inside plastic to roughen the surface then put a few holes in the angle that contacted the inside of the cooler and bonded it down with a good epoxy, not the junk Harbor Freight sells. I considered using some blind rivets, but decided to just try the epoxy alone. So far it is holding.

My first container was a one gallon glass jar with a 4" mouth. I sand blasted the mouth and areas under the angle to roughen the glass. Epoxy down the angle and epoxy to hold down a wrap of wire mesh around the outside of the jar. I used a 4" expanding plumbing plug to seal the mouth. The jar still works well and I like to be able to see the contents as they clean, but is only one gallon. After a minute or two you need to pop the seal on the 4" plug to relieve the pressure, otherwise the plug can pop out; don't ask how I know this.

6 & 8 inch pvc pipe makes excellent tumbler buckets, but pipe is not cheap and the fittings and plug cost more than the pipe.

I will give the fabric softer a try, thanks for the tip. I have tried several cleaning combinations, but so far Dawn and citric acid seem to do the best. Armor-all car wash does let the brass keep it's shine longer, but doesn't clean as fast as the Dawn. I vibrate polish my brass in fine walnut after cleaning anyway. A little Nufinish car wax in the walnut media keeps the brass shine.

Thanks for answering my questions
Had the same experience with wash/wax car product verses Dawn and continue to tumble with Dawn.
I now have a mix of car wash/wax product and water that I use for the 3rd rinse of brass and use it over and over.
:mrgreen:

[retread]

I see my question was answered.

[Cue]

So the last cement mixer I tried was the 4 cubic foot one from lowes. The opening on it was large and it was smooth around the front so there was no way to make a lid for it and I returned it.
I found this one at Northern tool for $269, and I had a $50 off coupon that they give out every couple of months so I got it for $235 with tax, just a little bit more than a Frankford Arsenal or other wet tumbler.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660229_200660229?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3vXk _Z_W4AIVR0sNCh1ciAYYEAQYASABEgJfH_D_BwE

This is a 2 Cubic foot mixer and the opening on it is smaller at around 11", and the sides of the barrel have a steep taper which would help keep the water/suds in and I figured I could make a lid for it if needed since it had a "lip" around it.

Fired it up tonight and I didnt even have to make a lid for it, I just used a garbage bag over the front of it and a couple of 8" rubber bands and that kept pretty much everything inside. I tumbled 9000 9mm pieces at one time for 2 hours, no pins needed and they came out great, did another batch after that so 18k 9mm in 4 hours. Im happy with it. :D

[tdd3748]

I am in the process of building one using OdJob mixer as container and other scrap I had laying around the shop.
This was my first attempt which worded pretty well with only 15lbs of stainless steel media and 15lbs of brass. When loaded with 50lbs of media and brass the little gear drive motor let me know I needed to rethink this design. I will repost when I have completed my design upgrade.