Oppinions on Tumblers

[Sshuker]

I have had a Harbor Freight 5lb. vibratory tumbler for about 3 years now. I owned it before I started reloading, so it just became my case tumbler by default.

I tumbled some cases last night and when I came downstairs this morning, I could hear the tumbler in my office, which means that it was much louder than usual. I checked it out and the wing nut that hold the lid down was hot and there was black rubber powder on the lid. I shut it down and came back later once it cooled down to see what the issue was. Well, the rubber washer under the hardware that holds down the bowl had split, thus loosening up the whole rig and the entire bowl was vibrating instead of having the the contents tumbled. Interestingly, all of the 30-30 brass was necks up, so the polish pattern is strange, in that only the points of contact between them is polished.


Anyway, so it looks like it may be time for a new tumbler if I decide not to just get the replacement bowl for mine.

Any opinions on the various offerings at Cabela's?

Not looking to spend more than $100 as my $50 Harbor Freight one did fine.

Cabela's Model 400
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...h-All+Products

Lyman 1200 PRO Turbo Tumbler
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lyman...h-All+Products

Hornady® M-2 Case Tumbler
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Horna...h-All+Products

RCBS® Vibratory Case Cleaner
http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBSr...h-All+Products

[Gunsnwater]

I bought the big one from dillon when it first came out. No bull warrantee is real. In your shoes I'd replace what was needed and buy the dillon.

[Sshuker]

Don't get me wrong, I am a Dillon fan. I have a 550b.

But the Dillon design looks like the same design as the Cabela's unit which has a remarkably similar description, making me wonder if Cabela's is not having their unit produced as a generic version of the same design. I am sure there are some component differences, but Dillon only gives you a one year warranty where Cabela's gives you three.

I think I have ruled out the Lyman. The open top seems like it would be a bitch with dust. My office is my man cave where I do several different things and the dust from even opening my tumbler always bothers my sinuses, so I would hate to have that dust just wafting into the air.

The RCBS and Hornady look to be based on the same design, but I have nothing more to push me in one direction or another.

[FO 1/501]

Dillon here 2.
Own mine since 86.

[M&P Chris]

I have 2 of the cabelas model 400 tumblers. They have been fabulous over the years.

[Steve in PA]

I have two Lyman 1200 tumblers. Love 'em. I did have to replace one last year because the motor died, but it was almost 24 years old.

[Sshuker]

I have two Lyman 1200 tumblers. Love 'em. I did have to replace one last year because the motor died, but it was almost 24 years old.

how much dust do you get with that open top?

[wanneroo]

If the dust bothers you go with wet thumbling or an ultrasonic cleaner. I was just looking at the 1200 pieces of brass I did on Sunday in my Hornady ultrasonic cleaner and wondering what the hell I'd ever buy a tumbler for.

[dkf]

I got the largest Lyman tumbler, the 2500 Pro magnum. I got the auto flow version which I don't like so I bought a standard non auto flo bowl for it. The auto flo makes a mess and is a pain because the spout is too short. I have used to debur steel and aluminum parts (really heavy) with ceramic media and water for days on end and it has held up so far.

[Sshuker]

If the dust bothers you go with wet thumbling or an ultrasonic cleaner. I was just looking at the 1200 pieces of brass I did on Sunday in my Hornady ultrasonic cleaner and wondering what the hell I'd ever buy a tumbler for.

Which one?