IrishPsych Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I really want to make this. I found a 1/4 hp 1725rpm motor I should be able to get for $10. What are the pipe lengths everyone is using? It seems that the piece that adds up fast. My initial plans were to make vertical tumbler with a BBQ rotisserie motor but those only spin at 2-5 rpms. What about making a tumbler part out of a 5 gallon bucket and a water tight lid like here? The buckets are cheap and the is $10. http://www.amazon.com/Gamma2-Gamma-Seal-Lid-Black/dp/B0089QJQTS/ref=pd_sim_hg_3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggdawg Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 the problem of using the 5 gallon pail is the ends are 2 different sizes. i have had several guys try but they end up building or buying a drum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorillamotors Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Is the agitator really necessary? I have tried it with and without one tumbling for the same time and I get the same results. Or am I missing something? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggdawg Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 if it works for you without then you don't need them. i did my testing with a clear container and with out agitators and the brass and pins just stayed on the bottom and didn't clean very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradandash925 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 No one has thought about skipping the electric motor and using an exercise bike? If anyone has some SS media I would love to buy a few pounds for .223 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyK Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) .... quick question...is there a toggle switch that can handle 120 volts? I would like to use a toggle switch instead of a household light switch Most toggle switches, even the ones you use in cars are rated for ac. Just have to read the switch volt ratings.... Edited January 12, 2014 by Flexmoney To remove copied pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cworks Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks I have just been plugging it in when I want to use it. I feel I have a faulty motor that turns off after approximately 18 minutes. After it has cooled off it turns back on. It generally takes about 3+ hours to get a decent polish on my brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmc90 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 What does this offer that a normal tumbler for under $100 doesn't? Besides being wet of course. bling factor no media in primer pockets primer pockets get cleaned and inside of cases are cleaner and it is faster than the dry tumbler for me. i had to tumble for about 8 or more hours to get them shinny and they still weren't as good as the wet method does in 2 hours. ++ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanktm Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I picked up my tumbler to day that my brother built for me. He is a farmer which explains the John Deere green paint job. I have a 1000 223 tumbling right now! thanks to BigDog for the info and thanks to brother Jerry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Looks like your brother did an excellent job !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Joe Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 When I got it finished, I could not believe how well they work! Much cleaner and a heck of a lot LESS time being cleaned. To keep all the pins from going everywhere when draining the water, I put a fine mesh paint strainer over the opening. Then I set the brass on an old screen and let them dry. THANKS to ALL who contributed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastshooter03 Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Electric motor? Why not hook it up to an exercise bike.....then have your wife or girlfriend take over Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Joe Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Yep electric motor and she welded up the frame! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trgt Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Rather than the screw type metal clamp that goes around the rubber end cap, has anyone tried or found something like an adjustable quick-release buckle with metal strap that would work to hold the rubber pipe cap on leak free? Or would the vibration over an hour or two tend to shake loose or release a buckle unless you secure it somehow, which puts you back to about the same amount of hassle/time to use the screw type metal clamp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almostold Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I do like the idea of wet tumbling but there is no way I'm taking the time to de-prime my brass before I clean them which leaves moisture in the primer cup. Short of baking each batch, I see this as a deal killer for wet tumbling without de-priming. Am I missing something here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jluther820 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I dont always deprime, but I always bake...baking is no problem using the lowest setting on the oven, about 170. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmanktm Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I don’t bake mine but put them in the clothes dryer. Most dryers have an accessories rack that allow you to dry things without them tumbling around. I can dry 1000 223 at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldpoopie Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) Bigdawg, what do you think about this motor on surpluscenter.com? item number10-2609 I'd link to it but apparently I'm not allowed yet as a new member... Edited February 24, 2014 by oldpoopie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropsitos Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Here is what I eventually built. Used a gear motor to drive a wooden hub that has a PVC pipe flange screwed to it. Connected the pipe flange to the drum (which has a pipe flange attached to it's rear) with a flex coupling. Rolls on cart wheels I picked up from Tractor Supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanniek71 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) What about using a small cement mixer like these: Then you dump in the water, the brass (large amounts), media, etc, and wander away for while. Is there any reason this would not work?, if you built your own "base" might be easier than making a PVC tube. http://www.amazon.com/Scepter-04239-7-Gallon-Odjob-Mixer/dp/B000BPK766 or even use one of these http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356929_200356929 I did this for my last job....Got a cement mixer, rhino-lined the drum, and was in business. We started with the cheapy Harbor freight model to test it, and had to beef it up quite a bit for it to withstand the every day use. 1 - 5 gallon bucket of brass (any flavor) 1/4 cup of Lemi shine 2 squirts of generic dish detergent (liquid) 1 cup of non chlorinated generic lemon scented automatic dish machine powder about 5 gallons of water 10-15 minutes would come out pretty clean, we would then resize and deprime and then wash again, but cut the soap to 1 pump generic dish detergent (liquid) 1/2 cup lemi shine 1 cup of non chlorinated generic lemon scented automatic dish machine powder about 5 gallons of water 5-10 minutes After the 2nd cycle it would literally come out looking brand new! Best part was no media required! Edited February 27, 2014 by Vanniek71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trgt Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) For those that _don't deprime_, SS tumble, then bake to prep brass - have you had any problems depriming that brass after that process? My buddy does this, and we had a strange run of more than a few where the primer would stretch out from the deprime pin rather than pop out. (edit: will an oven that is too hot soften the primer metal to cause this?) edit - I deprime first, so I haven't seen this issue with my brass Edited February 27, 2014 by trgt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jluther820 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I have not had a stretched primer problem. Maybe you are baking too hot. I bake at 170. Try leaving the door open Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonman556 Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 I do like the idea of wet tumbling but there is no way I'm taking the time to de-prime my brass before I clean them which leaves moisture in the primer cup. Short of baking each batch, I see this as a deal killer for wet tumbling without de-priming. Am I missing something here? I have tumbled brass without de-priming, I lay them out on a towel on a folding table and put a fan on them for 2-3 days and they are bone dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ams30gts Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 What length 6" PVC do you use for different capacity? I would like to make a 1gl and also a bigger 2gl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggdawg Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 8" of 6" pvc with caps makes about a 1 gallon drum and 15 3/4" makes about a 2 gallon drum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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