home made tumblers built and pic added

tazzer

anyone ever build there own tumbler [?] we are thinking about giving it a shot [:D][:D] we have a few old motors laying around and all the stuff that we think we can do it [:D][:D]

FrancF

Yep, but nothing suitable for brass. Big stuff like angle iron, pipe etc., for de-burring/scaling .

gunnut505

I used to toss a bag of rice in a pillowcase with the brass and chuck the whole mess in the dryer (fluff, no heat).

uni82

I'll bite.



gunnut505....did that work? Seems simple enough.

-JD

cbyerly

I built one from the following parts. 5 gallon can, two rollers from an old wringer washing machine, a large pully, a 1/3 hp motor and belt. You will have to build a framework to mount the rollers. I used barley, but rice can be used also. Just keep the speed of the drum down.

JustC

by the time you compile the parts and add your labor, you could have just bought one.

tazzer

quote:Originally posted by JustC
by the time you compile the parts and add your labor, you could have just bought one.


not for 12 bucks [:p][:D][:D] had all the parts laying around and had the time to tinker with it [:D][:D]
it works great to

deerslayer3

Ya, but it is nice to know you can build it yourself and not have to rely on anyone else.

Tazzer, I am having a hard time seeing where you placed the rollers at? Looks like you send some time planning this out.

JustC

that thing looks like it's spinning at 5000RPM in the pic[:D] you sure all the brass and media isn't stuck to the sides of the bucket[8D]

tazzer

quote:Originally posted by JustC
that thing looks like it's spinning at 5000RPM in the pic[:D] you sure all the brass and media isn't stuck to the sides of the bucket[8D]


good [:D] we changed out the pully to a bigger one to slow it down [:p]

some 38 we cleaned today

JustC

looks like it works just fine.

v35

If it's just going to rotate it might be a good idea to screw some ribs
inside the drum to give it some agitation.
A vibratory tumbler could have a slightly offset weight and not rotate the drum.
A waterproof drum would allow liquid cleaner.
I wasn't happy with a recently bought tumbler until I really loaded it up with 9mm brass. Small charges took a long time and didn't do a good job.

reload999

Very creative [:D]

gunnut505

Works like a champ, and the rice leaves a nice smooth surface. Did it that way for almost 12 years.
Be sure to poke the rice out of the primer holes when you're done.

starmaster1953

I'm late to the party, but eons ago I made a tumbler using a 3# coffee can (remember honest 3# cans?), some aluminum plate, and old copier parts. It's low volume but it works for me.

oneoldsap

It's good to see that Rube Goldberg is alive and well !