Lortone rock tumbler for cleaning brass ?

[Real-Tech]

I read a review that the Lortone 12 lb rock tumbler is better and [quieter] for cleaning brass than any case tumbler you can get from the major well known press manufactures. I don't think this thing vibrates so I wonder how long it takes to clean brass. Anyone use this rubber drum machine.

[Graham Smith]

Not familiar with the. I do know that people have used a Thumler tumbler

[TreblePlink]

Rotary "tumblers" do work, but are generally slow. Possibly quieter. With a vibratory machine, 4 hours usually does it. I would not BUY a rotary tumbler for brass - but if you already have one ...

Below is a link to a complete kit for $99.

http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/frankford-arsenal/catalog.asp?family=case-tumbler-kits

[21 shooter]

I used a Lortone a decade or two ago. It was small and only held about 50 .38 spl. cases. Rotary tumblers will polish brass and do a good job, and are usually quieter. But they are far slower than a Dillon tumbler. To each his own, but I would not willingly go back to one after using a vibratory tumbler.

One place where a rotary tumbler would "shine" would be polishing case lube from cases. I don't think it would affect the powder like a vibratory tumbler would. And that right there could spawn a thread or two arguing that point.

[Graham Smith]

One thing you can do with a rotary tumbler that you cannot do with a vibrator is wash brass.

[m134b]

I'm using stainless steel media to tumble my brass now.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1153883#Post1153883

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1513345#Post1513345

I got one of the BIG Lortone tumblers though.... LOL 40# capacity, have 15# media and about 10# of brass, that with some dish soap and a dab of Lemishine makes the brass look like brand spankin' new. It takes about 4 hours for even the nastiest of brass.

Ken

Edited June 19, 2010 by m134b

[AzShooter]

I started out with a rotary rock tumbler many years ago. It was slow but worked great. Took about 8 hours to clean the brass.

With my current Dillon tumbler I only run it for an hour as per the instructions. Longer and you can burn out the motor. After an hour the brass is as clean as can be. The noise level is high though.

[lll Otto lll]

I have a Thumlers rotary.

Walnut and corncob are way to slow and they only clean the exterior.

I've used ceramic and stainless steel media but prefer the ceramic.