Interesting Tumbler barrel

[1$Chuck]

I thought this was a pretty smart setup for the barrel. Its just a short piece of PVC pipe with a cap, reducer and a rubber end cap. Wouldn't be too expensive, easy to build and would be pretty tough. Give's me some ideas....

35lb cap. Rock Tumbler Ball Mill Case Debur Polish - eBay (item 260730808727 end time Feb-10-11 18:51:10 PST)

 

[1$Chuck]

Of course if you do a lot of reloading and you happen to live up north you might want to go check this thing out.

Wet Tub Stainless Steel Jewelry tumbler- Media, Screens - eBay (item 370387614563 end time Feb-21-11 09:06:38 PST)

Not sure how strong that tub looks. It might not hand stainless steel media too well.

 

[redneckmedic]

I'm a cheapo, but it works!

Rock Tumbler Refill Kit with Stones Grit Polish Glue - eBay (item 370286658385 end time Mar-01-11 12:16:47 PST)

 

[ANeat]

I use a 5 gallon bucket, 4 paddles are screwed to the inside to provide more agitation

 

[1$Chuck]

I was looking at it for the fact that it would be able to do wet tumbling and that it could have the weight capacity to use stainless media.

 

[hornadylnl]

I was looking at it for the fact that it would be able to do wet tumbling and that it could have the weight capacity to use stainless media.

A cement mixer will do all of that for a lot cheaper.

 

[1$Chuck]

A cement mixer will do all of that for a lot cheaper.

This is true, but I don't want a cement mixer in my house and dumping it into the sink might be pretty interesting.

 

[hornadylnl]

I keep mine in my barn. I don't have my bathroom built in it yet but I have a hydrant and hose. I got a 3.5 cf mixer for $200. I currently use two 5 gallon buckets of cob and it will take a full 5 gallon bucket of 223 brass. I'll be switching over to ss media before long.

 

[william]

I keep mine in my barn. I don't have my bathroom built in it yet but I have a hydrant and hose. I got a 3.5 cf mixer for $200. I currently use two 5 gallon buckets of cob and it will take a full 5 gallon bucket of 223 brass. I'll be switching over to ss media before long.

So you just dump two 5 gallon buckets of corn cob and 1 bucket of brass into the mixer and go? Is there any cover on the end of the mixer? How long does it take compared to a vibratory tumbler? Thanks

I too am getting ready to go the SS media route, but I just bought 20lbs of Lyman Turbo Brass.

 

[wolfman]

One of these works great with stainless media.

1-1/4 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer

 

[hornadylnl]

So you just dump two 5 gallon buckets of corn cob and 1 bucket of brass into the mixer and go? Is there any cover on the end of the mixer? How long does it take compared to a vibratory tumbler? Thanks

I too am getting ready to go the SS media route, but I just bought 20lbs of Lyman Turbo Brass.

I run it open as I haven't made a cover for it yet. But in my barn, I'm not that concerned about dust. I run it for about 6 hours or so but I havent put any polish in the media. It definitely moves the brass around.

I burnt up a franford arsenal and Lyman tumbler before I got this mixer. It's a Chinese import so I have no delusions that it will last forever but cob and brass will put much less of a load on it than cement ever will. I should have no trouble replacing the bearing or motor should I ever burn them up.

 

[hornadylnl]

One of these works great with stainless media.

1-1/4 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer

Harbor Freight used to run sales on those for $100. I'd keep an eye out for their sale flyers.

 

[j706]

Not trying to hijack the thread but where do you guys buy your SS media? I have been thinking about trying it out also.

 

[billt]

Not trying to hijack the thread but where do you guys buy your SS media? I have been thinking about trying it out also.

Stainless, Zinc, Aluminum and Copper Cut Wire Shot - Pellets, LLC

This is the cheapest place I've found. I got 15 pounds delivered for $71.40 USPS Priority Mail. Ask for Kevin Walters or Kathy Reitz. The size you want is.... SCW-41 X .265. Bill T.

 

[billt]

Hornadylnl,

1-1/4 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer

Is this the mixer you have? I want to get one but I'm concerned about the long running time. Most of these things are for very light duty, and are only run for a few minutes at a time. I also wondered about the steel drum banging up and dinging the brass??? Bill T.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Just buy a tumbler intended and designed to do what you want to do. Save money, save hassle, works better.

 

[hornadylnl]

Hornadylnl,

1-1/4 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer

Is this the mixer you have? I want to get one but I'm concerned about the long running time. Most of these things are for very light duty, and are only run for a few minutes at a time. I also wondered about the steel drum banging up and dinging the brass??? Bill T.

I bought a 3.5 cf Tool Shop mixer from Menards.

 

[CountryBoy19]

I use a 5 gallon bucket, 4 paddles are screwed to the inside to provide more agitation

I built something very similar for less than $35. Do you have additional bearings for support or are you running on the stock bearings in that gear motor? If the latter you probably will ruin the gearbox eventually putting that kind of force on the box.

My tumbler has support rollers at the front edge of the bucket, and the drive shaft is a quick coupler so I can just pull the bucket right off the gearbox and dump it.

ETA, btw, you running wet? If so, what lid are you using? I absolutely cannot get my gamma seal lid to stop leaking. I talked to gamma's cs and technical people and they can't come up with a solution... they sent new seals to me at no cost but still no luck. My only thought is to get an o-ring with an oversized cross-section diameter so I can squeeze it down a lot tighter, but an undersized ring diameter so it pulls in tighter so it won't "squeeze out" so easily.

 

[billt]

Just buy a tumbler intended and designed to do what you want to do. Save money, save hassle, works better.

The problem is when you go up in size they get real expensive, real fast. Bill T.

65T Heavy Duty Commercial Tumbler - Kingsley North

 

[ANeat]

I built something very similar for less than $35. Do you have additional bearings for support or are you running on the stock bearings in that gear motor? If the latter you probably will ruin the gearbox eventually putting that kind of force on the box.

I just had to buy the lid for the bucket on mine......


The motor is a chip auger motor out of a Machining center, its got a hell of a set of bearings in it, I dont think I could ever wear it out.

I got it because it was going to get thrown away, it was replaced because the keyway was worn out, and Ive used it for almost 10 years now.


I put about 20 pounds of brass in it at a time dry, use walnut media.

I never cared for the idea of drying out the brass