Sounds like you are leaning toward wet tumbling, which I have not done but been thinking about. You can go to YouTube and find dozens of videos on wet tumbling and reviews on different types of tumblers. As for me, I've been using a Lyman orange pumpkin vibrating tumbler for nearly 40 years with no trouble.
Tumbler Wet or Dry
I hope I am doing this right. This is the first time on this forum. I am reloading 40 cal, 45, cal, 9mm, 5.56, 308, 5.7, and 6.5 creedmoor. I have been looking for a wet or dry tumbler. Most of the wet tumblers have complaints about the canister leaking. I have spent the past week looking over all popular make and models but having the same complaints of over heating, the drum does not turn, the wet drum leaks and so on. I know that I will not find a perfect one but I do want to find one that I won't have to return the next week. Just wondering if someone with experience can guide me through to a good choice.
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Blackhawk355, Thanks for the advice. I'll looking youtube and the Lyman orange pumpkinSounds like you are leaning toward wet tumbling, which I have not done but been thinking about. You can go to YouTube and find dozens of videos on wet tumbling and reviews on different types of tumblers. As for me, I've been using a Lyman orange pumpkin vibrating tumbler for nearly 40 years with no trouble.
Yep, the pumpkin is hard to beat! I'm not very patient so dry is the only way for me. I can go from tumbler to press in minutes instead of waiting for my brass to dry overnight or longer.
I put a timer (bathroom fan) on the outlet I use for my tumbler and 99.9% of the time and hour is plenty.
RJ
I put a timer (bathroom fan) on the outlet I use for my tumbler and 99.9% of the time and hour is plenty.
RJ
recoil junky, Thanks for the info. Still looking and I haven't decided yet. Do you use metal pins or walnut media. Thanks again for the info.Yep, the pumpkin is hard to beat! I'm not very patient so dry is the only way for me. I can go from tumbler to press in minutes instead of waiting for my brass to dry overnight or longer.
I put a timer (bathroom fan) on the outlet I use for my tumbler and 99.9% of the time and hour is plenty.
RJ
Can't really use metal pins in a vibratory tumbler. Brass is lighter than the pins and will just float on top. Wet tumblers are all barrel shaped. I have always used walnut media in my Lyman with great results.
Thanks Blackhawk355. That helps alotCan't really use metal pins in a vibratory tumbler. Brass is lighter than the pins and will just float on top. Wet tumblers are all barrel shaped. I have always used walnut media in my Lyman with great results.
I use corn cob media. I add a bit of Flitz after the media gets "dirty" so it lasts longer between changes.
RJ
RJ
I use corn cob media. I add a bit of Flitz after the media gets "dirty" so it lasts longer between changes.
RJ
recoil junky, Thanks for the corn cob media update.I use corn cob media. I add a bit of Flitz after the media gets "dirty" so it lasts longer between changes.
RJ
wet tumble.
i've been doing this for about 7 - 8 years now. it is much better than dry tumbling.
PVC project: Larger drum for HF dual drum rock tumbler..clean reload brass!(Link to new video below) - YouTube
i've been doing this for about 7 - 8 years now. it is much better than dry tumbling.
PVC project: Larger drum for HF dual drum rock tumbler..clean reload brass!(Link to new video below) - YouTube
tdoyka, Thanks for the video and your opinion. I'll watch the video. Thanks againwet tumble.
i've been doing this for about 7 - 8 years now. it is much better than dry tumbling.
PVC project: Larger drum for HF dual drum rock tumbler..clean reload brass!(Link to new video below) - YouTube
I like them both, I use the dry vibratory for cleaning slightly dirty/tarnished cases, and after sizing lubed cases. The wet tumbler works great on older more tarnished brass.
I dry them on a stainless steel tray in the sun or on the wood stove, it usually only takes an hour or two. Only tumble one diameter mouth size or you will have smaller brass inside larger ones when you're done.
Oh and btw, welcome to the forum.
All the best,
CB
I dry them on a stainless steel tray in the sun or on the wood stove, it usually only takes an hour or two. Only tumble one diameter mouth size or you will have smaller brass inside larger ones when you're done.
Oh and btw, welcome to the forum.
All the best,
CB
I have been using the Lyman orange pumpkin, too, for quite a while. (30 years?) Never tried wet tumbling, so I can't compare. I use either corncobs or walnut shells, whatever I get a deal on.
Walnut hulls get caught in the primer pockets if you de-cap prior to tumbling, and is a little dustier if you don't keep it dampened with your choice of additive.
Wet tumbling after running the brass through a universal de-capping die gets the primer pockets nice and clean.
I do believe that the wet tumbler will work harden the brass more the the vibratory, partly because it takes longer and it gives the brass more of a pounding.
Wet tumbling after running the brass through a universal de-capping die gets the primer pockets nice and clean.
I do believe that the wet tumbler will work harden the brass more the the vibratory, partly because it takes longer and it gives the brass more of a pounding.
Decades of reloading have come down to a corn cob/crushed walnut mix with liquid brass polish additive to vibrate brass. Tried ultrasonic wet cleaning, but didn't like the continuous restarting the unit to get a satisfactory clean. Then, the rinsing and drying time.
Sometimes, if only a few cases, I'll simply use 0000 steel wool and either hand turn of use a cordless drill.
Sometimes, if only a few cases, I'll simply use 0000 steel wool and either hand turn of use a cordless drill.
And if you really want to simplify your life, don't do any case cleaning.
I haven't done any real care cleaning in at least a decade, but when a need arises I use corn cob media.
Cheers
I haven't done any real care cleaning in at least a decade, but when a need arises I use corn cob media.
Cheers
Thanks for welcoming me to the forum. Still searching and haven't really made my mind up yet. I just find it funny that the dry tumblers don't have timers. Thanks for the infoI like them both, I use the dry vibratory for cleaning slightly dirty/tarnished cases, and after sizing lubed cases. The wet tumbler works great on older more tarnished brass.
I dry them on a stainless steel tray in the sun or on the wood stove, it usually only takes an hour or two. Only tumble one diameter mouth size or you will have smaller brass inside larger ones when you're done.
Oh and btw, welcome to the forum.
All the best,
CB
Jack, Thanks for the replyI have been using the Lyman orange pumpkin, too, for quite a while. (30 years?) Never tried wet tumbling, so I can't compare. I use either corncobs or walnut shells, whatever I get a deal on.
Clawed 1, Good information. I'll keep that in mind as I searchI like them both, I use the dry vibratory for cleaning slightly dirty/tarnished cases, and after sizing lubed cases. The wet tumbler works great on older more tarnished brass.
I dry them on a stainless steel tray in the sun or on the wood stove, it usually only takes an hour or two. Only tumble one diameter mouth size or you will have smaller brass inside larger ones when you're done.
Oh and btw, welcome to the forum.
All the best,
CB
kdub, Adding your imput to the search ThanksDecades of reloading have come down to a corn cob/crushed walnut mix with liquid brass polish additive to vibrate brass. Tried ultrasonic wet cleaning, but didn't like the continuous restarting the unit to get a satisfactory clean. Then, the rinsing and drying time.
Sometimes, if only a few cases, I'll simply use 0000 steel wool and either hand turn of use a cordless drill.
1 - 20 of 45 Posts
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