Which Tumbler?

[jjs1025]

Looking to clean 9mm, 40, 45 brass; what do you recommend and which cleaning material? Been years since I reloaded and want to get back into it.
Thanks,

[Southpaw45]

I tried it all and this is the best method hands down!

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

[ar15robert]

I used a vibratory tumbler for many years.Does well but finally got into wet tumbling with stainless steel pins.

Waited too long to switch just did a couple of batches and impressed.I went with the harbor freight dual drum for 54 bucks got some pins locally 5 pounds for 50and im set.I only use about a pound of pins per drum and about 80 pieces of handgun brass per drum and just did 80 .223 in each drum tonight.

Im still gonna use the vibratory here and there for rough cleaning but the rotary will get most use now.

Benefits of the rotary is no need to buy fresh corn cob here and there the pins will last for a very long time as long as i dont lose them.Brass comes out clean inside and out,no more stuck walnut or corn media in primer pockets,and its a quicker process

[don'ttellthewife]

I use a harbor freight vibratory tumbler with crushed walnut media and a little bit of brass and a cut up dryer sheet to cut down on dust.

Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk

[BeastMasterActual]

I tried it all and this is the best method hands down!
http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

I just purchased their Rebel 17 and the SS Pins and plan to use them soon- very impressed from the reviews I've read.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kmullins]

I upgraded to a Frankford Arsenal stainless tumbler. It's amazing how well it cleans brass and the quantity I can run in 2 hours. 1000 pieces of .223 is no problem and primer pockets come out looking new. Less tumbling time, more capacity, a few more steps but works well. I use a food dehydrator to dry the cases.

[stranded1980]

The Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler is on sale right now at Walmart for $152.60 and comes with the stainless steel pins. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Frankford-...er-7L/35847728

I transitioned to the Frankford from the Thumler Tumbler Model B, because I wanted to avoid the 6 wingnuts and worrying that the metal of the unit would rust. The screw on cap of the Frankford is a lot quicker. So far, I'm happy with it.

Having now tried the Harbor Freight dual rock tumbler, the Thumler Tumbler Model B, and now the Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler, I've been impressed with all 3. It could be my imagination, but it seemed like the Thumler cleaned the quickest, but the Frankford Arsenal is a lot faster to empty and refill.

[Bumslie]

Started with wet tumbling, got over it

Hated the galling, especially with pistol Cases.

Switched to Lyman turbo 1200 with autoflo. Less steps and no waiting for drying. I'm happy

[G38xOC]

Still on hornady media tumbler , i dont mind budget reloading , spend my money on bullet , powder , primers instead

[JMP]

The tumbler is probably the absolute least important piece of equipment. I'd go with whatever dry vibratory tumbler you can get the best deal on so long as it has enough capacity for a reasonable volume of brass. Some folks don't like the noise or the dust, but I tumble outside and do not care. Start with something cheap, then you have a backup or alternate media you can use when you buy an additional tumbler.

[Not a Cook]

Any tumbler method suggestions for noobs whose chief concern is minimizing lead dust/lead liquid residue exposure for kids and animals at home? Dry vs. wet? Constraints: Children often in garage (could also tumble outside, but that would also be near children and animals; no sewer (septic system); only places to dump liquid would be down the drain into septic or dump out into the garden (all edible plants) or fruit trees?

[Citadelgrad87]

Any tumbler method suggestions for noobs whose chief concern is minimizing lead dust/lead liquid residue exposure for kids and animals at home? Dry vs. wet? Constraints: Children often in garage (could also tumble outside, but that would also be near children and animals; no sewer (septic system); only places to dump liquid would be down the drain into septic or dump out into the garden (all edible plants) or fruit trees?

I tumble with dry media in the garage. Both of my cheap smallish tumblers have and lids and are almost dust free in operation....until I go to get the brass out, which involves opening those lids and dumping the cases into a media separator. That's the dusty part.

Couple mitigation possibilities. I always dump and sift outside. That makes it a very short live issue and localized the dust away from my work area. I usually wear a cheap paper mask, and gloves when handling the media. It's got lead in it from the spent primers. Dryer sheets cut up in the bowl help somewhat, at least they get really dirty.

But the biggest dust issue for me is using the cheap "lizard bedding" instead of stuff sold as media. The cheap stuff is WAY dustier.

[Not a Cook]

I tumble with dry media in the garage. Both of my cheap smallish tumblers have and lids and are almost dust free in operation....until I go to get the brass out, which involves opening those lids and dumping the cases into a media separator. That's the dusty part.

Couple mitigation possibilities. I always dump and sift outside. That makes it a very short live issue and localized the dust away from my work area. I usually wear a cheap paper mask, and gloves when handling the media. It's got lead in it from the spent primers. Dryer sheets cut up in the bowl help somewhat, at least they get really dirty.

But the biggest dust issue for me is using the cheap "lizard bedding" instead of stuff sold as media. The cheap stuff is WAY dustier.

Thank you!

[Kablemodem]

I use a vibratory tumbler with lizard bedding crushed walnut and I don't have any issues with dust. I use an enclosed media separator and occasionally add a used dryer sheet to remove excess dust while tumbling.