Harbor Freight Tumbler

[mrextc]

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

I recently picked up this tumbler and honestly, it works great for me. I was wondering if corn cob media to polish and remove the case lube would work with this kind of unit? or if I have to use a vibratory tumbler?

[dmendoza1779]

Most people use vibratory tumblers with corn cob media. I usually use ss media to polish and remove case lube, but run it only for at least 1 hour. Hope this helps.

[sunaj]

Looks kinda small

[KB1911_NewB]

For $6 more you can get this one with double capacity (5 lbs). I've been using this one for little over a year now (~70+ usages total so far at ~2hrs for each usage) so far no issue at all. I also paid extra $10 for additional 2 yrs (3 yrs?) warranty with free replacement if it breaks. Can't beat that.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html

[Raptor1Ronin]

I also have one works like a champ!

[atdski07]

Return the small dual drum and get the 5 lb one in the above link, crushed walnut and some polishing compound, gtg


Sent from the twilight zone

[rsrocket1]

The 5 lb vibratory tumbler is much better than the rotary tumbler. You can use the rotary one for stainless steel media tumbling if you don't mind buying the pins.

Useful additions for the vibratory tumbler:
Feed store crushed walnut media @ $17/50 lbs or you can buy more expensive lizard litter from a pet store.

A rotary knob to replace the wingnut. It makes twirling the nut off much easier. (Caution, the screw is metric)

Two nuts + a fender washer to replace the aluminum spacer tube that always falls off when you pour out the media and eventually lose it. The locking nuts will space the fender washer at the right height and will not allow anything to fall out.

Lamp timer to automatically turn the vibrator off. You don't have to worry about leaving it on all night.

Be sure the unit sits on a hard level surface and allow air to flow underneath the stand. Heat is its enemy.

[MrElectric03]

I'd take it back and get the vibratory one for $55. I just bought it and it works great with corncob media, that one is really small.

[Jack_O_Trades]

I've had both and the small one was ok but I eventually upgraded to two of the larger vibratory ones.

[mrextc]

how many cases can you clean in the 5lb? The dual tumbler that i got is 2x3 lb rubber tubs. I weighed a load and it cleans 200 cases each run...I got the rock tumbler because it got better reviews than the one you are all suggesting...seems less failure prone....I was originally going to buy the steel pins, but they just seem expensive for what they are...i dunno, but i was looking for an easy way to remove case lube more than anything. Wet tumble works good, but It takes a little while to dry...but conversely if i get the vib. tumbler then i will need a media remover(more money). Perhaps I'll just wet tumble again...i did it once to remove lube but thought maybe if i just throw some corncob media that it would do the same thing tumbling in there? oh well...at least i asked before i bought the corncob

[Jet Setter]

They are really small. I was excited to get one until I saw the size. It would take me forever to clean 4000 handgun rounds in these small tumblers. I am saving up for the cement mixers to use as my tumbler.

[atdski07]

how many cases can you clean in the 5lb? The dual tumbler that i got is 2x3 lb rubber tubs. I weighed a load and it cleans 200 cases each run...I got the rock tumbler because it got better reviews than the one you are all suggesting...seems less failure prone....I was originally going to buy the steel pins, but they just seem expensive for what they are...i dunno, but i was looking for an easy way to remove case lube more than anything. Wet tumble works good, but It takes a little while to dry...but conversely if i get the vib. tumbler then i will need a media remover(more money). Perhaps I'll just wet tumble again...i did it once to remove lube but thought maybe if i just throw some corncob media that it would do the same thing tumbling in there? oh well...at least i asked before i bought the corncob

What size cases are you reloading? I can throw 200 .223 cases in the 5 lb vibrator thumbler and still have room for some .308


Sent from the twilight zone

[mrextc]

What size cases are you reloading? I can throw 200 .223 cases in the 5 lb vibrator thumbler and still have room for some .308


Sent from the twilight zone

223. So it cleans about the same volume. I'm not a heavy shooter, especially how hard it is to get components right now...so everyone still recommending that i get the 5lb tumbler?

[mrextc]

http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Quick-n-Ez-Case-Tumbler/dp/B001MYGLJC

seems like this one is better than the the harbor freight?

[John Haberman]

Keep an eye on that tumbler, I bought one and lasted for a month or so. I turned it on and went to work and when I came home the motor had seized and was smoking away not far from catching on fire.. Pls read the reviews.. beware...John