Wet tumbling brass

[Bumslie]

I was looking at the Thumler model B. It says it has a 15# capacity. How many pounds of pins would I need for 10#'s of brass? Or would I have to use less brass and more pins?

They base that off 5lbs of pins, a gallon of water (8.33 lbs). And 2 lbs of brass. I use less water (fill it to just about level of the brass) and more cases.

I think stilly did a thread where he used no pins, and only lemishine.

[Zamble]

What size drum would I need to accommodate 1k brass and the needed pins?

[Bumslie]

The thumblers drum does not have the capacity for 1k (223 I'm assuming) pieces of brass.

The Frankford arsenal can do that, along with I think the big dog tumbler.

[Zamble]

I read that the Frankford can only fit that amount without pins, just using their solution. I want a complete cleaning, primer pocket and inside. This is for .223 right now, but will expand to .308 before too long.
So I guess I need to look towards the Bigdawg tumblers.

[firebert]

1k .223 brass is about 13.3 Lbs of brass..

Kobalt model SGY-CM1 should do about 40-50lbs.

[Zamble]

I bet that kolbalt is noisy as all heck though.

[damndave]

1k brass is about 13.3 Lbs of brass..

Kobalt model SGY-CM1 should do about 40-50lbs.

I bet that kolbalt is noisy as all heck though.

I got one nearly brand new for sale in the marketplace if interested. Selling for $200. It's definitely not quiet lol. But this thing is excellent quality and has a lifetime warranty.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=13945048#post13945048

[Zamble]

So, I am about to pull the trigger on a bigdawg tumbler. I have a question, how effectively does stainless deburr the brass?

[Longhill]

If you're looking for larger containers, this site has them for sale.
Up to 8 gallon barrel for $235

http://www.candmtopline.com/tumbling_barrels.html

[Psychbiker]

Built one too. Can do 400 pieces of 223 easily. Probes more. 22" long 6" drum. Cost $150 for part and media. I found a motor on Craigslist for $10.

Depending on amount of brass, a cement mixer may do the job. Those are $100+ on CL. I was debating it. That would get done thousands of 223 at one time.

Cleaning and not losing the stainless pins is tough.

[Bill Anderson]

I built one of those with the 6" PVC with agitators and I was not satisfied with the results. It's not the base, it's the drum.

I got a hold of a couple of the new Frankford Arsenal drums and it works much better IMO. I run 8# of media in each drum with roughly 5# of brass and it is perfect after 2.5-3 hours. I used the BIGGDAWG base design and made it a double so I can tumble 2 drums at the same time. This allows me to tumble roughly 10# of decapped 223 brass in about 3 hours.

The Frankford Arsenal might be a better solution, but the durability of the base is in question being gear driven and mostly plastic.

The only setup I am aware of is the BIGGDAWG large 8" setup. After shipping and media, you will be in the $500 range. Add another $170 if you want the double.

Please tell me how you were able to get ahold of the Frankford drums? I wouldn't mind having a couple myself.

[Victor Cachat]

I was looking at the Frankford Arsenal kits today and they come with steel pin media included.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/713881/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-rotary-case-tumbler?cm_vc=ProductFinding

It also has the screens to let out the liquid and rinse the cases.

I would be tempted to build a base if the drum was cheap enough.

Update: Turns out that Cheaper Than Dirt was actually "cheaper".
Just got mine today.
It works great!

http://i.imgur.com/eyONMx6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/V940N2F.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NRblFlm.jpg

[damndave]

Please tell me how you were able to get ahold of the Frankford drums? I wouldn't mind having a couple myself.

Had to work some magic with them, but they should be available direct from them this week or so.