GARD72977 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I added some bearing housing to my Thumblers thumbler. Not a clean build but it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARD72977 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 This changes how I have used the unit. It still does not like to be over half full. It turns freely but does not clean as well. I run it with S/S media and brass to the half way point. After the brass is cleaned I take it to the sink and pour out the dirty and fill it to the top of the brass 2 times and dump it. I fill it almost all the way to the top and let it run for about 10 minutes. This gives the brass a good rinse. Now its ready to be separated and set out to dry. I still use the corn cob and old vibrating tumble to put a final shine on the brass. The corn cob never gets dirty and last somewhat longer. It still breaks down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Instead of corn cob, try fine walnut hull and Nu-Finish. Harbor Freight has some really good fine grain walnut for about a buck a pound. It really lasts well and doesn't stick in flash holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARD72977 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Im a big fan of corn cob. It not the best to clean with but nothing polishes like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynngordon Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Can you give us some details of what ball bearings you used. I'd like to make the same mod. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARD72977 Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Can you give us some details of what ball bearings you used. I'd like to make the same mod. Thanks! I just used skateboard bearings. They are not a tight fit for the rods but they do work great. I used the O-rings on the housing to keep them from spinning in the frame. I don't think this is needed. My base started flexing after a while so I took a 1/4 threaded rod and ran it from side to side. This really stiffened up the base. The rotation is so slow that I think any bearings would work. This was not a high tech project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynngordon Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Thanks for the reply - I'm going to make the same mods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARD72977 Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 If you need any help just PM me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gussers Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I've been running my Thumler with more than the recommended weights too and had great results. A little longer in the tumbler is all it takes and don't forget the Lemi-shine. It is what makes the brass shine up really nicely. 2 Tbsp Dawn detergent 1 9mm case full of Lemi-shine 2 hours in the tumbler I did find somewhere the optimal ratio of brass to SS media is something like 1:2, so that means only 2.5lbs of brass to 5lbs of media. I generally run a lot more brass than that, but I did notice it doesn't shine as well as when I stick to the 2.5-3lbs of cases. When I do that, it is incredibly shiny right out of the tumbler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savageman25 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Thanks for the info op. Very needed upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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