Which case tumbler would be the best buy?

[cpt dan blodgett]

Started out with an orange one.  Was shooting a lot of high power in those days.  Wore out the bushings in about 3 years, may have been overloaded a few times.  Replaced it with the blue one from Scottsdale in 98, still going strong.  Something about steel bearings rather than bushings.  Got the media separator at the same time.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Remember also another HUGE benefit of running "wet" ceramic media in a rock polisher style tumbler is that there are NO lead fumes which you get with a dry media and a vibratory cleaner. This is important if you are tumbling in an enclosed area IMO. Ceramic is much faster as well. Usually about 3 - 4 hrs. and they are better than new.

[Montana Slim]

Remember also another HUGE benefit of running "wet" ceramic media in a rock polisher style tumbler is that there are NO lead fumes which you get with a dry media and a vibratory cleaner. This is important if you are tumbling in an enclosed area IMO. Ceramic is much faster as well. Usually about 3 - 4 hrs. and they are better than new.

The dust aspect of wet tumbling is an advantage if your planning to empty/sift indoors or your garage. This process should also help deburr new Starline cases. As far as speedyness of cleaning, I only vibratory-clean for 2 hrs.
Regardless of method, I've not seen cases cleanup to better than new 

Slim

[Mason Stillwell]

I used to shoot quite a bit. (understatement LOL) I bought a Dillon small tumbler back in 97 and have been using it ever since.

Works for me.

My $0.02 worth

Mason

[Fox Creek Kid]

The dust aspect of wet tumbling is an advantage if your planning to empty/sift indoors or your garage. This process should also help deburr new Starline cases. As far as speedyness of cleaning, I only vibratory-clean for 2 hrs.
Regardless of method, I've not seen cases cleanup to better than new 

Slim

That's because you are using a VIBRATORY tumbler which is made for "kitty litter" tumbling and not ceramic. 

[Montana Slim]

That's because you are using a VIBRATORY tumbler which is made for "kitty litter" tumbling and not ceramic. 

...But, I have seen new brass.....at the manufacturers plant & I've even bought some before.

As far as media life, walnut or corncob, I wash mine about once a year & strain thru a sieve. Drys in a couple days.
Been using the same batch, plus about one cup fresh added each year to makeup lost volume during shakeout & annual washing.

For pre-treatment, I soak in a weak acid solution instead of plain water/soap...this removes much of the inside case fouling.

Ceramic media will work, wet or dry, in a vibratory cleaners as well....I've seen them in use at many manufacturing plants...even ammunition manufacturers.

Bottom line, both methods work.

Slim

[Fox Creek Kid]

You're working way too hard, M.S.  Get a real tumbler and some ceramic media from Dick Dastardly and some of his "dope" to clean with. Your eyes will be opened to a new world. I merely deprime fired cases by hand on a board with stepped holes and the primer falls into a garbage can. Toss the cases into a plastic Folgers can with soap & water. When done I rinse & throw 'em in the tumbler for 3 to 4 hrs. and they come out like diamonds. Maybe Dick Dastardly can post some of his marvelous photos of his before & after brass as a kicker here.

[Buck Hunter]

For BP cases get a TUMBLER style.  The vibrating type are useless.  I have a Thumlers Tumbler that I bought used years ago.  It was under a couple of feet of water when my home was flooded by Hurricane Floyd in 1999.  I use ceramic media.  Still works fine and gets grungy BP brass looking like new.  Knock out the primers first!  Good shooting!  Bob

[wildman1]

THANK YOU ALL, the replies have been considerate, confusing and to a very small degree controversial. Also very helpful. Any more replies would be appreciated. I do shoot primaily BP so will probably go for Tumbler or Ultrasonic.  WM

[Wagon Box Willy]

I'm new at all this and have cleaned maybe 1000 cases but I have this Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler kit and I think it has worked just fine.  I toss my spent cases into a milk jug with soap, water and a little bit of vinegar.  They never spend more than a few minutes in that solution before I take them out and rinse them in hot water and set them to dry.  Usually the next day I place them in tumbler, add a squirt of the Frankford Arsenal polish and tumble for about 2 hours.  They come out very nice though not brand spanking new looking.

I still have the original media but I have also picked up a big bag of corncob media from Walmart (about 3 bucks) and though larger, it seems to work fine also.

I have no idea how long this inexpensive vibratory tumbler will last but I'm happy with it so far.  I can see myself upgrading to a real tumbler at some point if the brass really does come out looking like new.

  -Willy

[wildman1]

Thank ya'll for all a your help. I found a Thumlers B in Cabelas in Sidney, NB in their bargain basement, I haven't got the ceramic media yet but am going to. Have been using corncob until I get home. Muchas Gracias. WM