Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Tumbler recommendation

I have a sonic cleaner but it doesn't shine the cases. What does everyone recommend for media tumbler. At cabelas they have several and they range from 60 to 185. I dont mind the prices, just want a good unit with minimal maintenance that does the job simply.

I just run a cheap Lyman with the separator lid. Walnut bedding (for reptiles, I think) at the pet store is about your cheapest option for media. Add a cap full of Nu Finish car polish to the media for shiny brass and dust reduction. Let the tumbler run for a few minutes after adding polish to let the polish dissipate in the media. Otherwise, you'll end up with globs of polish in your brass.

I predict your number 1 answer will be, you don't need shiny cases....

I have been very pleased w/ my Thumler Ultra Vibe 18. Very quiet, very fast.

https://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=734095080&CQ_search=thumler%2527s+ultra+vibe+tumbler&CQ_zstype=REG

David

Still using one from Hornady from the late 80’s, had a Lyman Turbo for a couple years but it went south. Walnut for cleaning, corncob for polishing.

Had a Lyman, lasted for years. Beings in the motor went bad. Bought a Thumblers. Very good machine but a little pricey. Hasbeen

This is as good as it gets for tumbling brass. Brass looks like new.

https://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/stm-complete-package-2.html

I've had both vibratory units and tumblers and prefer tumblers. I've had two RCBS Sidewinder tumblers, bought both used and used walnut media with a little Mother's Mag Wheel Polish added. My current tumbler is a Frankford Arsenal purchased when the SS pin craze first became popular. I got tired of digging pins out of the primer pockets that had lodged sideways and dumping the pins out of the cases. I now use the tumbler with hot water, Dawn dish detergent and Lemi-shine, no pins. I set the timer for 3 hours and have clean brass that only requires rinsing and drying, don't need the jewelry-like luster the SS pins produced.

Thanks everyone.

I share your need for nice shiney cases and I have a Frankford Arsenal tumbler, it was Reasonably priced and is very quiet. I use corn cob media with three or four drops of Cabelas brass polish mixed in, after 3 hours my brass shines like a new dime 👍......Good luck..Hb

The old Lyman in the basement has served me very well.

I have a Thumblers tumbler, uses stainless pins. It makes the funkiest old brass like new inside and out. I’ve picked up brass laying out for years. Makes it new!

I have had an RCBS tumbler I bought in the classifieds here a number of years ago and it’s fantatic.

I don’t NEED polished cases but they’re nice to have.

I clean mine, keep them in baggies, they stay nice for a long time.

I do the same and they do look great for a long time 👍........Hb

I use about a 1/4 lb of pins with mine . Dawn Lemmie shine, and do cleanup with a magnet.
beats the hell out of the vibrator type.

I give the grandkids a silver dollar for their birthdays. The tumbler with the stainless pins will make them look like new without damaging them.

I use a little dishwashing soap and a bit of lemme shine when cleaning brass too.

Very happy with my Frankford Arsenal tumbler with stainless steel media. It has a large capacity and is fairly quiet compared to an old vibratory cleaner I had. As for cleaning solution, I use Ajax w/ citrus extract and a 1/2 tsp of LemiShine Boost. I try to have the container as full cases as possible as it seems to speed up the cleaning process a bit.

I have a Thumlers Tumbler that does a fantastic job. Without the sounds of a vibrator.

+1 on Thumbler

Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler

I also have a Dillon Vibratory Tumbler, but it never get used since I got the FART.