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Ammo and Reloading Factory Ammunition, Reloading, Components, Load Data and more. |
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#1
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Has anyone had a tumbler break like this before?
Hey all,
Below is a picture of what used to be my Frankford Arsenal tumbler. The last couple of times I polished brass with it there was some of the finer dust of the walnut media I use on the ground. There was the slightest of seams I could see where it was leaking out. I call it a seam because it was too perfect of a circle to be anything else, or so I thought. It was strange because I was sure that the tub was a one piece design, it only makes sense. But any who, the thing was still functioning 100% just a little dust on the floor. Then, last night I was tumbling another load of brass and dumping it into the sifter the whole thing came apart, spilling walnut shell and brass all over the floor. It seems that over the course of the two years I've owned it and maybe 100,000 cases I've tumbled it made a bunch of microfractures right along where the base was bolted to the tub. This resulted in a strange, perfectly circular, break as you can see. Oh well, I got my $40 worth out of that particular tumbler. I just thought the way in which it failed was kind of interesting. Next I am going to take a big step up and get a Thumler rotary tumbler with stainless steel media. Been hearing good things and the setup looks real slick.
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RLTW WTB: AMD 65 parts kit with original barrel Interested in a Front Sight Diamond membership? PM me. |
#4
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Yes, I had a Lyman tumbler fail that same way, the Hornady bowl fit it perfectly.
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Frank One rifle, one planet, Holland's 375 Life Member NRA, CRPA and SAF |
#6
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I could just replace the bowl, but I am going to use this opportunity as an excuse to upgrade. I'm pretty OCD with cleaning my brass and those rotary tumblers clean inside, outside and the primer pockets. Also, I reload in my apartment, so no dust would be a plus.
I'll probably replace it and just keep it in reserve.
__________________
RLTW WTB: AMD 65 parts kit with original barrel Interested in a Front Sight Diamond membership? PM me. |
#7
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For as many cases that ran through it that $40 tumbler did pretty good IMO
At the same time I have seen tumblers from the 80's still running strong. I have been using stainless for almost a year now and love it. If you are on the border let me push you over the edge. I still do use my hornady vibratory tumbler prety often though. To remove lube mostly.
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I will share my opinion and my load data, BUT I am just a guy with too many cigars and too many guns. Whatever I say is probably wrong. |
#8
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Replacement available @ Harbor Freight . . . Same identical bowl for $12 if my memory serves me correctly.
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-Duct tape is like The Force. It has a dark side. It has a light side. Used correctly, it holds the universe together. Used incorrectly, it sticks your cat to the wall. - |
#9
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I have worn out 2 bowls with my Midway tumbler that is 20 years old. Worn holes in the center hub. Buy a replacement bowl for a few bucks and still buy the Thumler. I would bet you will still use the vibratory tumbler also.
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#10
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Thinking about it now, this is probably what I will be doing. I was thinking with things like rifle brass I would probably use the rotary for the initial polishing. Then after lube and resizing it would be less of a hassle to use the vibratory to get the lube off rather than dealing with wet media for only a twenty minute tumble.
__________________
RLTW WTB: AMD 65 parts kit with original barrel Interested in a Front Sight Diamond membership? PM me. |
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