Thumler's Tumbler Modification

[powereng]

I just got back into reloading and decided to go with the stainless steel media method for cleaning my brass. So I picked up a Thumler's Tumbler from Sinclair. Nice piece of equipment but I did noticed that it vibrates a lot when tumbling brass. So I came up with and easy and cheap way to eliminate some of the vibration.

I went to the hardware store and picked up 4 1-1/2" rubber medical stoppers and 1 3/4" rubber medical stopper. I used the 3/4" stopper to make motor mount by using the bottom bolt coming out the back of the motor. I just drilled a hole in the rubber stopper at the same height as the bolt and turned the rubber stopper onto the thread. Voila! No more motor shake.

Next I drilled four 1/8" holes at each of the four corners of the metal base. Using 4 #8 x 3/4"pan head metal screws, I turned the screws into the pilot holes. From there I turned on the 4 1-1/2" rubber medical stoppers onto the threads of the screws to make rubber feet. This does two things, one it keeps the tumbler from scratching your countertop and two does a great job of eliminated vibration for the whole unit.

I know it's no major feat of engineering, but it does do a great job of quieting the sound from the tumbler and eliminating vibration.

Happy Tumbling!

 

[338RUM runner]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Good job, i'm going to copy your idea and thanks for the the post

 

[NoFail]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Hey now there you go!!! That's a great idea, thanks Powereng!!!

 

[ScottNC]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Nice mod, Thanks for posting it.

 

[opeagle]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Nice. I braced the motor on mine with a stainless L bracket but your fix was super easy.

 

[afate45]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Thanks for posting this! I really like the motor mount mod.

Does anyone here have grip tape on their drum? I found it eliminated slippage 100%. I have little pieces of black rubber from the tape eating away at the rubber, but after tumbling a good 4000 pieces of brass, it doesn't appear to be wearing away much of the rubber on the rods...

 

[judgedelta]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

First rate idea... I've had mine try to walk off of the counter several times and anything to cut down the noise. Thanks...

 

[judgedelta]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

First rate idea... I've had mine try to walk off of the counter several times and anything to cut down the noise. Thanks...

 

[powereng]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Thanks guys. The biggest problem with being an engineer is your always trying to find ways to improve stock equipment. You should see the plans I have drawn up for my wife.

 

[zuke]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: afate45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for posting this! I really like the motor mount mod.

Does anyone here have grip tape on their drum? I found it eliminated slippage 100%. I have little pieces of black rubber from the tape eating away at the rubber, but after tumbling a good 4000 pieces of brass, it doesn't appear to be wearing away much of the rubber on the rods... </div></div>

Had that mod but removed it. It was starting to eat up the rubber on the roller's.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

nice mod. im doing it too.

 

[filmgear]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Glad to see it's not just me that is looking for ways to make the tumbler run more efficiently. So nix on the grip tape? Mine was sliding, but I wiped it down with a dry cloth and works better. Still loud. I had to put a drop of oil underneath the outer rubber pieces as the rods were making a loud whining noise within them. That took care of that as well. This weekend I plan on moving the rollers to center the drum perfectly and setting the whole assembly on a rubber mat since I have it on the garage floor.

 

[Jayman_10X]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Great idea. I've read other instances too where vibration was an issue. For some reason I have not had trouble with vibrations with mine but have had trouble with the white wheel mounts sqweeking like crazy. I put a drop of oil on all four of them and now it runs like a soft country breeze. Love the tumbler.

 

[Jayman_10X]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Great idea. I've read other instances too where vibration was an issue. For some reason I have not had trouble with vibrations with mine but have had trouble with the white wheel mounts sqweeking like crazy. I put a drop of oil on all four of them and now it runs like a soft country breeze. Love the tumbler.

 

[Jayman_10X]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Great idea. I've read other instances too where vibration was an issue. For some reason I have not had trouble with vibrations with mine but have had trouble with the white wheel mounts sqweeking like crazy. I put a drop of oil on all four of them and now it runs like a soft country breeze. Love the tumbler.

 

[Jayman_10X]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Great idea. I've read other instances too where vibration was an issue. For some reason I have not had trouble with vibrations with mine but have had trouble with the white wheel mounts sqweeking like crazy. I put a drop of oil on all four of them and now it runs like a soft country breeze. Love the tumbler.

 

[Jayman_10X]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Great idea. I've read other instances too where vibration was an issue. For some reason I have not had trouble with vibrations with mine but have had trouble with the white wheel mounts sqweeking like crazy. I put a drop of oil on all four of them and now it runs like a soft country breeze. Love the tumbler.

 

[Jayman_10X]

Re: Thumler's Tumbler Modification

Great idea. I've read other instances too where vibration was an issue. For some reason I have not had trouble with vibrations with mine but have had trouble with the white wheel mounts sqweeking like crazy. I put a drop of oil on all four of them and now it runs like a soft country breeze. Love the tumbler.