Brass Tumbler
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Plant.One
Well-known member
i have a thumblers ar-12. nice unit but the modern "for reloading" tumblers surpass the thumblers lapidary models in several ways
1) price point. you can get a significant savings over thumblers stuff. dont get me wrong - thumblers make great product meant for years of abuse (rock tumbling typically takes a month or more to go thru all the stages - 4 stages of 1 week or more each- vs our 1.5-2h cycles)
2) volume - something like the thumbler wont take 1000 223 cases + pins like the franklin kit will
3) small features like screw on end caps, built in timers for our shorter cycles, etc
the franklin platium kit is on sale right now for $133 vs $300 for a thumblers model b, and it comes with the SS pins too.
https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Separator-Polishing-Reloading/dp/B00HTN4R6O/
hth
1) price point. you can get a significant savings over thumblers stuff. dont get me wrong - thumblers make great product meant for years of abuse (rock tumbling typically takes a month or more to go thru all the stages - 4 stages of 1 week or more each- vs our 1.5-2h cycles)
2) volume - something like the thumbler wont take 1000 223 cases + pins like the franklin kit will
3) small features like screw on end caps, built in timers for our shorter cycles, etc
the franklin platium kit is on sale right now for $133 vs $300 for a thumblers model b, and it comes with the SS pins too.
https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Separator-Polishing-Reloading/dp/B00HTN4R6O/
hth
Plant.One
Well-known member
did a bit more digging re the Model B from thumblers
its rated for 15 lbs capacity in the barrel.
so if you put 5 lbs of pins in (pretty standard) and 1.5 qt (3 lbs) of water you're down to 7 lbs of brass that can safely go into that particular tumbler.
1000 lake city 5.56 is roughly 14 lbs.
so based on capacity alone, the franklin platimum is capable of 2x the quantity of cases of the model B you're looking at.
with my ar-12 thumlers - and its 12lb limit - i'm limited to 5lbs of brass per batch (5 lbs pins, 1qt/2lbs water, 5 lb brass)
so just a little more food for thought
its rated for 15 lbs capacity in the barrel.
so if you put 5 lbs of pins in (pretty standard) and 1.5 qt (3 lbs) of water you're down to 7 lbs of brass that can safely go into that particular tumbler.
1000 lake city 5.56 is roughly 14 lbs.
so based on capacity alone, the franklin platimum is capable of 2x the quantity of cases of the model B you're looking at.
with my ar-12 thumlers - and its 12lb limit - i'm limited to 5lbs of brass per batch (5 lbs pins, 1qt/2lbs water, 5 lb brass)
so just a little more food for thought
Rustydust
Active member
I have been using a Thumbler B for over 10 years. I do not use the pins but instead I use SS media that looks like tiny footballs. They do not get stuck in flash holes.
Dump in the brass, fill it almost up with water, add a dash of Dawn and turn it on. Come back....whenever. Prettiest brass you ever did see.
Dump in the brass, fill it almost up with water, add a dash of Dawn and turn it on. Come back....whenever. Prettiest brass you ever did see.
Rustydust
Active member
Originally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: RustydustI do not use the pins but instead I use SS media that looks like tiny footballs. They do not get stuck in flash holes.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: RustydustI do not use the pins but instead I use SS media that looks like tiny footballs. They do not get stuck in flash holes.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Not a problem Sir. I'll do some research. Thanks again for that idea
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Not a problem Sir. I'll do some research. Thanks again for that idea
Kenlguy
New member
Originally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: RustydustI do not use the pins but instead I use SS media that looks like tiny footballs. They do not get stuck in flash holes.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Not a problem Sir. I'll do some research. Thanks again for that idea
Got mine from E-bay. Jewelers use it.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Not a problem Sir. I'll do some research. Thanks again for that idea
Got mine from E-bay. Jewelers use it.
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: KenlguyOriginally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: HidalgoOriginally Posted By: RustydustI do not use the pins but instead I use SS media that looks like tiny footballs. They do not get stuck in flash holes.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Not a problem Sir. I'll do some research. Thanks again for that idea
Got mine from E-bay. Jewelers use it.
A search on Amazon turned up a lot of various options. Ceramic, glass, as well as SS are available.
Where do you get this stuff? Sounds like the way to go.
I'm sorry but I do not know how to buy that media. It was given to me by someone that had some leftover when he bought his.
Not a problem Sir. I'll do some research. Thanks again for that idea
Got mine from E-bay. Jewelers use it.
A search on Amazon turned up a lot of various options. Ceramic, glass, as well as SS are available.
Plant.One
Well-known member
the kicker is - with the rigth size pins, you dont get them stuck in the flash holes to begin with.
nothing against the little football shaped fellas, i'm sure they do a suitable job, but just pointing out that for the most paart the stuck pins in flash holes has been a thing of the past from about the time i got into stainless tumbling.
im sure somewhere in the bowlels of the interwebs some jackhole is selling the old smaller dia pins, but all the modern stuff is using the standard larger 0.047 pins
nothing against the little football shaped fellas, i'm sure they do a suitable job, but just pointing out that for the most paart the stuck pins in flash holes has been a thing of the past from about the time i got into stainless tumbling.
im sure somewhere in the bowlels of the interwebs some jackhole is selling the old smaller dia pins, but all the modern stuff is using the standard larger 0.047 pins
Coyote-conquest
Member
Originally Posted By: pyscodogI'm not gonna say the pins don't do a great job, but all the water and the mess just isn't worth it to me. I'll stick with the media.
This!
This!
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
I've never bothered to add the pins, I have the FA. I run the brass with hot water, Jungle Jake cleaner, a shake of lemi-shine or a splash of lemon juice. Bright and clean just rinse and dry.
Zastava223rem
Member
I have a frankfort arsenal thats going on probably 6 years and many many many loads and its still going strong.