Dry Tumbling - Separating Media

[WartHog]

Found a used Thumler's Tumbler Ultra-Vibe 18 Case Tumbler for $100. What's the best system/setup for separating media with a dry tumbler?

['ol shooter]

A media separator, can be found at any store that sells reloading supplies and many online stores such as Midway or Brownells for example. Many different brands available. I don't often use my dry tumbler but it's a Lyman that has a dump plug that you pull out to dump the media while it is running. Very convenient.

[Sheldon]

I use and like the Dillon one.

[Sir Toast]

Tons of different media separators.

Let me give you some advice. Don't use corn cob or walnut husks. Use BUCKWHEAT off of amazon. It works slightly better, but much faster and it is really cheap. Just throw some Nushine car wax in there and your brass will be great.

[alland]

I use a deep fry basket (like making french fries). I work over a kitty litter pan and shake and flip a few times and all the media falls into the pan.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

been using one of these for years - it will probably out live me.

[SG29736]

If you have a plastic bucket you can drill a bunch of holes a little smaller then a 9mm case. Dump the tumbler into it with an intact bucket underneath. Shake and flip the brass around till the media is all removed.

[Bastard]

I've just been using the Frankford Arsonal Media Seporator/Home Depot bucket for years... works just fine.

https://smile.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Quick-N-EZ-Separator-Reloading/dp/B004J4F09O/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32Q901DBJF89W&dchild=1&keywords=media+separator&qid=1606358164&sprefix=media+se%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-4

[JackEllis]

Don't use corn cob or walnut husks. Use BUCKWHEAT off of amazon. It works slightly better, but much faster and it is really cheap. Just throw some Nushine car wax in there and your brass will be great.

I second this recommendation but with one caution. Buckwheat tends to get caught inside the cases and in the primer pocket. In my experience you need to use something to push a buckwheat kernel out of the primer pocket in perhaps one tenth of all the cases you tumble.

One other advantage with buckwheat is the ability to clean it though never, ever with water unless oyu like making a mess. I put a capful of mineral spirits in a tumbler full of nothing but media along with some cut up dryer sheets to collect the dirt. Buckwheat absorbs water but not mineral spirits.

[anonymouscuban]

If you have a plastic bucket you can drill a bunch of holes a little smaller then a 9mm case. Dump the tumbler into it with an intact bucket underneath. Shake and flip the brass around till the media is all removed.

I use a pool skimmer basket, same way you use the bucket with the holes drilled in it. Cost me $7 at the pool supply store.

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[Eat Dirt]

been using one of these for years - it will probably out live me.

That's The One

Been using it for YEARS

[Divernhunter]

I have an old midway one like the one above but no hood on it and it fits a 3-5gan plastic bucket. Has worked well since the 1980's.
I use treated corn cob media with a cut up used dryer sheet in each batch. The media lasts for a very, very long time and stays clean.

[Donny1]

I found a small wire mesh waste basket and a plastic pan at the $1 store, total cost $2. I had one with a crank but it took 5 times as long as just dumping them and shaking it. Just wear a mask.

[baranski]

I use this one.

[Cowboy T]

I've just been using the Frankford Arsonal Media Seporator/Home Depot bucket for years... works just fine.

https://smile.amazon.com/Frankford-A...s%2C216&sr=8-4

Yep. Old-school traditional, simple, and very functional. I use a similar one from 11 years ago, also from Frankford Arsenal. Still works great.