Wet tumbler

45 2.1

45 2.1

Active Member
I built a large one... 1' diameter & 1' long.... in the early '80's. You need to keep the RPM's between 45 and 60 for good results. I tried rice, tumbling media, old primers and wire rod cut up like the current SS pins. The old primers won out then. Hot water and dish detergent cleans a lot of cases. I tumbled for about 3 hours.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
The wife and I just bought a Thumblers tumbler for polishing rocks. I've been toying with the idea of getting some ss pins and trying my brass in it.
 
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carpetman

Active Member
Years ago, I saw a Thumbler Tumbler at a garage sale for $3. I was unfamiliar with them and thought a toy and didn't buy it. Months later at another garage sale, saw another one also $3 and did buy it. All these years later, still going. I did replace the barrel. Every once in a while, it wont start and I chuck it up the pulley in my drill and give it a good spinning and it will again start. I didn't like having to unplug it everytime, so I did install a toggle switch on it that I think the factory should have done. I made a leather belt for it years ago and it's still going great. To make a leather belt, get some thick leather--an old belt would work. Cut a strip the width of the thickness so that you have a square piece of leather. Use an edging tool and knock off the edge on all four sides. Then roll it on a flat surface to make it close to round. You can oil it with lanolin or neets foot oil and that helps. Cut it to length so that on the pulleys it butts up. To attach the two ends you can cut a very small slit and tie it together with heavy fishing line or you can get a heavy staple and put it through each end and then bend the ends of the staple down. The leather belt outlasts a bunch of the rubber belts--how many? Can't say mine is still going. I use dry media and have thought about using ceramic or stainless steel but not yet.
 
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freebullet

Guest
I have some ss pins but, no tumbler yet.

I spec'd local parts to make one for $50. It's on my project list. I've had the pins and plan for 1.5yrs so don't feel bad about your build being long term.
 
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carpetman

Active Member
Forgot to add: If you make a leather belt, it will stretch initially, no problem, just trim to length and reattach. After the initial break in, it will seldom need resizing.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
3$$$ for a Thumbler?!?!?!?
That was a steal! They are very expensive tumblers. Way to go!
 
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carpetman

Active Member
If you have a kinetic watch you don't wear much, you can place it in a plastic bag and tumble it and it will charge it up. I have one that the capacitors are weak or something and it is hard to get it charged, but it takes a charge if I tumble it.
 
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