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Posted: 7/20/2010 10:12:03 AM EDT
Now don't get me wrong, I used to use a vibrator when I was a kid, got a lot of good use out of it too, but I do not like the dust or noise.
So I ordered a Thumblers Tumbler Model B from e Rock :
http://www.erocktumbling.com/Thumler-s-Tumblers-Model-B-Rock-Tumbler-p/thu140-gp.htm
I already have the stainless steel medium that I got from a SnipersHide forum reloading member, it was a bit secretive but worth it.
Cannot wait to start washing brass...
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 11:27:59 AM EDT
[#1]
I have been using stainless media for about 9 months, you will be very happy.  The only issue I have is the batch size is limited.

I have 30# of media and if I ever spend more the 3-4 days a month home, I plan on making a larger tumbler.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 1:29:38 PM EDT
[#2]
Hope you got it from Hobby Warehouse for $155 ? (oops, didn't read your purchase location. you got a good deal too).

I love it. Few comments (and some dupes from other folks):
1. As mentioned by others, couple drops of oil on the bushings every few loads or the Nylon and/or chromes shafts will start to wear. Also a few drops in the motor oiling holes
2. The Timer at Lowes works great...countdown and stop mode. Set it and go away
3. 2 hours for a quick clean, 4 for truly spotless inside and out nasty range pick up brass with the SST media, Lemishine and a few drops dishwash det.  Don't leave it in just sitting there for hours without tubmling or the brass will take on a pink shine. But it will quickly tumble off if desired.
4. I want to add a magnet to the cover, in the middle. So when I take the thumbscrews and washer loose, I can "store" them on the magnet.
5. The drum can rust on the outside, I noticed it where the base is welded on, I think the paint there is weak. When dumping the drum, this area gets wet. Dry it each load.
6. Motor gets "hot" so I also want to add a small muffin fan thats line powered. Probably OK and will last forever, but want to make it last even longer.
7. Its pretty quiet, and I added 1" thick sound deadening material under the base, just to help a bit
8. Right now I dump the load into a larger tubberware and hand pick the brass out. I want a seperator. Tried a kitchen collinder or two, the media is .250 long and needs larger than collinder size holes.
9. Tumble all the same caliber brass in the same load, don't mix cailbers. Otherwise cases will nest into each other and not clean. i.e. a 9mm case fits inside a .40 that fits inside a .45.  So a "caliber" seperator system (multiple stacked shake trays with descending size slots) would also be nice, I've seen them somewhere (Frankford?).
10. Never had a leak yet, probably have done a 12-15 loads. About 5lb media, 3-4lb water and 5-6lb brass
11. i tumbled some machined aluminumparts before anodize, used the media,a nd a handful of 9mm brass. Worked EXCELLENT!. As if it were bead blasted, hid a lot of light machining marks and dulled the edges nicely.


Don't remember the shipping $ from Hobby warehouse, if there was any, it was reasonable, and delivery was fast.
Thats all for now, enjoy!
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 2:29:26 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
Hope you got it from Hobby Warehouse for $155 ?


I posted the location on the first post. Shipping was almost $10 more.
Did Hobby Warehouse ship free? I got the fast one.
Do you have one? Do you like it? Any problems?
Link Posted: 7/21/2010 9:01:45 AM EDT
[#4]
Be sure to get yourself some gloves.  I would say this is a must when working with wet media.   I just pick up a box of those disposable vinyl / nitrile gloves (50 box) which are cheap.  +1 to what others have said about tumbling time.  When you get towards the 15# limit there might be a little bit of slippage on the drum.  If that's the case some have used a non-slip type of tape from the hardware store that works well.  You're gonna just love how clean the brass gets inside too...

On  a side note: Watch the tumbler the first time you use it to make sure the rollers don't "walk" to one side.  Mine did and I wrote Thumlers and they sent be a new drive shaft with the star-washers installed that kept the rollers in place.  No charge to me either.  Great customer service that...
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