Homemade reloading equipment

[bumpo628]

Post pics or video of your handywork. Maybe we'll give each other some good ideas.

I made this rotary tumbler from an old treadmill. All you have to do is move the rear roller up next to the front roller. The front panel speed control allows you to adjust the spin rate based on how much weight you have in there. Either of the coffee cans can be removed while the machine is running to check.

This is an old cell phone video, so it's pretty grainy but you get the idea.

[BigBronco]

So you can circuit train your brass. Nice!

[SixPointEight]

That's a great idea. Good thinking. You could use whatever size buckets as well, as long as weight is within reason.

[Stryfe76]

I need to check craigslist for some old treadmills!

[Divernhunter]

For large amounts of brass(especially 50bmg) get a plastic cement mixer from harbor frieght . Do not install the paddles and you can make a cover from thin plywood for the opening so you can do more brass etc.

My best thing is a small funnel that I cut the tip off so it is about 3/4" long. I put this on top of my uniflow powder measure and by never allowing it to get empty it helps for very constant charge weights.

[Texas Boy]

For large amounts of brass(especially 50bmg) get a plastic cement mixer from harbor frieght . Do not install the paddles and you can make a cover from thin plywood for the opening so you can do more brass etc.

Great idea. Can't tell for sure from the photo or description, but it appears the current offering uses a metal container...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-4-quarter-cubic-ft-compact-cement-mixer-91907.html

[RaymondMillbrae]

You need to place rubber rings around the cans...or lid.

If you keep using it, the plastic ring from the lid will wear-out, and you will have a mess.

The speed is also pretty fast for what we do.

In Christ: Raymond

[Munk]

You need to place rubber rings around the cans...or lid.

If you keep using it, the plastic ring from the lid will wear-out, and you will have a mess.

The speed is also pretty fast for what we do.

In Christ: Raymond

You're right, fast tumble = abusive or ineffective (Depends on HOW fast lol) sounds like he needs to step up the size of his cans then. Larger can = Fewer RPM = Slower tumbling.

There's a number of low, wide drums that you can use for this. As an example: Christmas Popcorn cans.

[bumpo628]

You need to place rubber rings around the cans...or lid.

If you keep using it, the plastic ring from the lid will wear-out, and you will have a mess.

The speed is also pretty fast for what we do.

In Christ: Raymond

Since the cans roll, not slip, I don't think the lids will wear out. I've been using the same cans for over two years and there is no sign of damage.

The speed control does have a slower speed, but I've found that 2 out of 10 cleans the brass better/faster than 1 or 3. I typically run it for about 3 hours and it comes out nice.

Maybe if I increased the size of the drum it would change the dynamics of the tumbler. The nice thing about this type of machine is that you can adjust the speed to match the drum diameter and weight in the can.

[shootingblanks00]

homemade tumbler

Here is my version. Been refined since i made the video. I'll do a new video today and repost it if anyone is interested.

[freonr22]

since doing this, I did add 1" rubber hose, cut in 1/2 to the drum rails...

[bumpo628]

Here is my version. Been refined since i made the video. I'll do a new video today and repost it if anyone is interested.

Nice! This just proves that you can make a tumbler with minimal materials.
Now all you need to do is find a dedicated motor for it and you're set.

[Texas Boy]

Here is my version. Been refined since i made the video. I'll do a new video today and repost it if anyone is interested.

Ha! I use that same "desert blend" crushed walnut in my vibratory cleaner - works great. I also have some of those same coffee cans for holding brass.

Nice low cost setup BTW. And yes, I'd be curious to see what refinements you have done.

[killshot44]

If you've got a rotary tumbler you should use SS media.....

[freonr22]

what is ss media? please?