Need help on Tumbler

[Estes640]

Alright everyone, I need some help. I am still getting everything for my reloading setup, and this seems to be the last item. I am looking at two options:

berrys 400 tumbler
thumlers model-t tumbler

I am on a budget so I don't really want to spend more than $100. If anyone has any insight on these or suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. My main question is, is the thumler the better bet with stainless media?

 

[GhengisAhn175]

Frankford arsenal tumbler

around 130 bucks. I love it

 

[Estes640]

Which Model?

 

[GreenBlood10]

The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary tumbler. Its $147 on Amazon. A little more than you want to spend but it comes with 5lbs of stainless steel media ($40'ish value). I bought one a few months ago after a ton of research and couldn't be happier.

 

[big_matt_duq]

I bought 5 lb of pins and the cheap harbor freight tumbler. It works great for small batches but kinda wish I would have bought a bigger one to start. I don't tumble stainless all the time but it turns once fired 556 and range pick up pistol brass to like new. I always follow it up with a trip through the vibratory with polish to help it keep its shine.

 

[wxl]

I went with the Thumbler Model B and quite happy with it

 

[cav has been]

One of the great things about the Thumbler is that every single part is available and still from the same folks out in Washington.

 

[MtnCreek]

The Berry's is a great tumbler, but I don't believe a vibratory tumbler is suitable for SS media.

 

[Estes640]

I appreciate all the responses so far. If I got the Berry's I would use Walnut media not stainless. It's just a cheaper option and I've read great reviews on it. Just trying to decide if stainless is worth the extra, and if I'd need to go to a higher price point if I went stainless.

 

[lash]

Contrary to popular belief, one can absolutely use stainless media in a vibratory tumbler. Is it the optimal platform for it? I don't know, but as long as the vibe tumbler you have can handle the weight, it will give a good roll to the stainless pins just as well as it does walnut media.

 

[big_matt_duq]

How much brass are you doing at one time in a batch? Less than 100 I would just get the little harbor freight. I actually think having a wet and a dry tumbler is good. I use my dry to take off sizing wax and also after stainless tumbling as it seems to help brass stay brighter for longer. The real advantage of wet tumbling with stainless is that it can take cases that are terrible and get the gunk off. It also cleans primer pockets pretty well. There is the argument that it makes brass too clean affecting neck tension which may explain some of my 223 flyers...

 

[big_matt_duq]

I forgot to mention that I use my wet tumbler for suppressor baffles. My spectre 2 stainless baffles go in for a few hours and then cleaned up with a dental pick. It really helps loosen the deposits.

 

[Estes640]

I won't be doing much, maybe 150 rds a month for now. I don't get to shoot as often as I'd like yet.

 

[lash]

For that volume, a vibratory bowl and walnut media with some car wax or other polish in it will work just fine.

 

[spife7980]

For 150 a month I would go low end (and did). I got the Lyman 1200 and a jug of walnut media and its works great. Yeah, the media sticks in flash holes but I think thats an issue with all media though to some extent but it pokes out well enough. Stainless gets jammed in case mouths if the proper size isnt selected (and that depends on caliber) or walnut in flash holes.
less than 50 bucks shipped
https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Pro-120.../dp/B000KKEPOW

The lid sucks in that its vented so I cover it with a couple paper towels and tuck them in around the rim to keep and dust contained as I put it in my bathroom. Dont have a whole lot of exterior plugs and its the most removed and quietest room in the house to do it in.

 

[Cornholeo]

For my bolt guns I use the Frankford vibratory with medium grain rice and for the gas guns suppressed the Thumblers with SS media followed up with the Frankford after sizing. Range brass always hits the Thumblers.