In need of a new brass tumbler

[scattershot]

Hi… the last tumbler I bought (used, at a garage sale) is giving up the ghost. After 40 years, and for $15.00, I certainly can’t complain, but the prices on new ones are pretty hefty, and I don’t want to make a mistake. Anyone have any recommendations? I prefer regular media vs. steel pins, thanks.

[ddeck22]

I see them in local classifieds and regional shooting forums all the time. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are yourbest bets IMO

[DocSavage]

Perhaps you can get a replacement motor from Grainger McCarr Masters. Out of curiosity what brand is it.

[1Hawkeye]

I've got a lyman 2500 pro magnum and an old midway tumbler that have worked well over the years. I noticed that even harbor freight has several models of tumblers now. What make is your tumbler? if its a dillon its under warranty an RCBS or lyman you should be able to ge replacement parts for.

[tja6435]

I’ve had a RCBS tumbler since about 2013, it’s gone through 5 motors and is still a piece of junk. I do not recommend. They’ll send you a new motor, but it’s the same junky motor that will last a few weeks and then melt itself down. My harbor freight tumbler has 10x the hours on it and on the original motor. That’s what I’d go with, the price is right and they work great.

[brassrat]

I would find an older Lyman

[fatelk]

I still have my old Midway 1288 from when I first started loading, but never use it. I recently gave away a 1292. I have no use for vibratory tumblers anymore, since buying a wet tumbler. Tumbling with stainless steel pins is so much cleaner, nice shiny brass and no dust.

[scattershot]

It’s an old Sears model.

[1Hawkeye]

It’s an old Sears model.

Yep probably nothing you could do for that one I think I'd be looking at a lyman or maybe a harbor freight the dillons are noisey and expensive.

[Bmi48219]

I bought a dual drum tumbler from HF. If you don’t clean a lot of brass it’s ok but the drum capacity is not much. The drive belt can’t handguns much of a load. Wound up replacing it with a FA five years ago. Still going strong.

[Sasquatch-1]

Do you have a motor repair shop within reasonable driving distance? If so, take the motor in and see what they say. They may be able to set you up with a new one or rebuild the old one. Another suggestion is, try and find a tumbler that looks similar. You may be able to use a replacement motor from some other brand. I am sure it was made by one of the major companies of the time. Also, post a picture.

[michael.birdsley]

I’ve got the cabelas model 400 tumbler. I’ve had it since 2015. I have used it a lot. Looks like it’s only about $5 dollars more than the harbor freight one. It comes with a sifter, 10 lbs of corn cob media and polish. I use crushed corn cob in mine with no problem


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[chill45100]

I have used a Thumbler’s tumbler since the 80’s. There are currently two in the loading room one is a high speed model and the other is the high speed version. Either will work with fry media which is what I used prior to switching to SS pins 20!years ago. The down side is the initial cost. The upsides are durability ad they are designed to tumble polish rocks. Replacement parts are readily available.

[scattershot]

Thanks for the suggestions.I’ll start looking.

[William Yanda]

Makes me regret passing on an icecream freezer at the thrift store for $5.

[doulos]

I have used a Thumbler’s tumbler since the 80’s. There are currently two in the loading room one is a high speed model and the other is the high speed version. Either will work with fry media which is what I used prior to switching to SS pins 20!years ago. The down side is the initial cost. The upsides are durability ad they are designed to tumble polish rocks. Replacement parts are readily available.

Hes right about the Thumblers. Ive had one forever it seems. Probably since around 1992. A lot of use with corn cob, ceramic and stainless steel. Have only replaced the belt. Parts are available. Yes they are expensive. But versatile. And quiet as can be.
If just using dry media just buy a vibrating tumbler from RCBS or someone you KNOW will back it up. They arent expensive. And if the manufacturer stands behind them your good to go.

[imashooter2]

Thumbler's Ultra Vibe tumblers are some top notch pieces!

[rancher1913]

i got a batch of 223 tumbling right now in a harbor freight cement mixer, little soap and water for the first wash. i can get a 5 gallon bucket in it at a time and it really speeds things up.

[Shanghai Jack]

I love my rebel tumbler.

[TNsailorman]

I have a Lyman 2500 Pro Magnum vibratory tumbler and it is a great machine. I used a Midway tumber for about 20+ years and it finally caught fire and burned out. Luckily, no damage as it was sitting about 3 feet from a concrete block wall on a bare concrete floor. I called Midway and explained what had happened. They asked for the model number. When I gave it to them they got real interested in keeping me happy. That Model was no longer available and had caused a few fires in the past. They offered me the Lyman and the only charge was about $19.00 for shipping. I jumped on it and have been using it for a few years now with complete success. I also have a Thnumblers tumbler ( about 3 years old) and use it for wet tunbling with ss pins. It is the best system I have ever used. I wish I had bought it much sooner. Dirty, grimmy cases come out looking like new. My experience anyway, james

[imashooter2]

I have a Lyman 2500 Pro Magnum vibratory tumbler and it is a great machine. I used a Midway tumber for about 20+ years and it finally caught fire and burned out. Luckily, no damage as it was sitting about 3 feet from a concrete block wall on a bare concrete floor. I called Midway and explained what had happened. They asked for the model number. When I gave it to them they got real interested in keeping me happy. That Model was no longer available and had caused a few fires in the past. They offered me the Lyman and the only charge was about $19.00 for shipping. I jumped on it and have been using it for a few years now with complete success. I also have a Thnumblers tumbler ( about 3 years old) and use it for wet tunbling with ss pins. It is the best system I have ever used. I wish I had bought it much sooner. Dirty, grimmy cases come out looking like new. My experience anyway, james

The Midway 1292 tumbler had a recall over that issue. I sent mine back in 1999 and it was years old then. I’ve used that tumbler so much the brass wore through the plastic bowl. I got a replacement bowl and it is still going strong. Not too shabby for a bushed motor in a dirty environment.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/1998/cpsc-midway-arms-announce-recall-of-tumblers

[BadgerShooter]

I wore out a midway vibratory polisher after lots of years of hard use. Wore holes through the container by the inner flutes. I patched them with JB weld and it is still working. In the meantime, I acquired the big Dillon vibratory polisher. WOW!! Takes massive loads of brass and polishes FAST. Big, expensive but it performs way better than anything I have used in the past.

[dverna]

I have three. The big and regular size Dillon vibrating units and my original Lortone rotating unit I bought over 50 years ago.

I prefer the Lortone for most of my needs now as I do not shoot as much. It is much quieter than the vibrating units. Not cheap but it will last a long time.

It is actually not too difficult to make a tumbler using an old appliance motor if money is tight.

[ShooterAZ]

I have the big Dillon CV-2001, and have been using it for decades. The only problem I ever had with it was the switch on the cord went bad. It was an easy fix though, and it'll clean a large pile of brass in short order.

[jsizemore]

i started with a Midway 1292. Really loud even in the next room with the door closed. Found a Lortone 3A in the bottom of a box of stuff that a nerd's fiance was making him sell. 25¢. That was a game changer. I couldn't hear it running across the room when the TV was on. It would handle about 100 9mm cases with crushed walnut media. About 50 223 or 45acp cases. Took about 6 hours. Sometimes I'd forget it was on and notice it the next morning on the way to cranking up the stereo. A fellow member put a Lortone 66 up for sell so I grabbed it. The 66 is 2 6lb drums. It'll handle 12lbs of brass and media. 6 hours run time and brass is good to go. Sound level is about like rattling the change in your pocket. A little louder that the 3A but not distracting. The motors get hot enough you can't touch them but that's the way they run. They are made to run for days polishing rocks. If you want to liquid wash you can but that's not my thing. I grease the bushings. Belts have never been replaced. Dependable.

[wyofool]

Go to the Swapin and sellin and put in a want to buy ad for a tumbler and see what happens.

[ebb]

Dillon is the only one that i have been unable to destroy.