Bought a new tumbler tonight

[hornadylnl]

Picked up a cheapo cement mixer at Menards tonight. It's still in the trunk but I may go out tomorrow and put it together. I've burnt up vibratory tumblers so I thought I'd step up to the big boy.

 

[HICKMAN]

heh, that's a good idea

 

[nrar15]

A few buddies and I have been using them for a few years now. It's a good idea to make yourself a lid or use Glad press'n seal in a pinch saves a lot of mess.
Bob

 

[Trickpony]

I used to use cement mixers for case tumblers back when I worked in the Custom ammo business... They work great and can do thousands of rounds at a time.

 

[hornadylnl]

I got the mixer put together a little bit ago. It's a 3.5 cubic foot model. I put almost 2 5 gallon buckets full of cob in it and there is still plenty of room. I put 200 or so pieces of 223 brass in to see how it does. My cob is a little too coarse so I have a feeling I'm going to have to dump out each case and clean the primer pockets out but I couldn't wait to give it a try. For $200 I don't think I could go wrong.

How did you guys make your lid? I was thinking about welding a nut in the center and using some all thread for a post. I could then cut out a circle from plywood or something and use a big wingnut to tighten it down with. I think the drum is thin enough that I don't want to try to use my stick welder and weld the nut on.

I'm thinking of a latch to use but I have no idea what it's called or where to buy them. It's a flat piece of metal about 3/8" wide with a slight arc. It has one end bent over into a hook. It fits into a slot on the other piece. You flip the lever over and it pulls tight. Anyone?

 

[hornadylnl]

I think what I'm looking for is called a draw latch. Anyone know where I can get some locally? It's like C and D on this McMaster link. McMaster-Carr

 

[IndyGunworks]

 

[hornadylnl]

Here are some pics. I took one with my hand for scale of this thing. My hands are huge. I took a pic of the brass to show how big the media is. A little too big for 223.

 

[Trickpony]

We cut some 7mm steel in a circle to match the outside of the mixer lid, welded it and used draw latches to fasten a solid wood lid to the opening. Same concept for a cob strainer. And we did some mods to the inside to the mixer too. Good luck. Mixers work great if you have the room. Dump into a wheel barrow works great. And you can mix about a whole 5 gallon pail of brass in the thing!

 

[super38]

I like the concept but how loud is it? Also, is there a big difference in the amount of time it take to polish in this compared to a tumbler?

Thanks

Super38

 

[hornadylnl]

I like the concept but how loud is it? Also, is there a big difference in the amount of time it take to polish in this compared to a tumbler?

Thanks

Super38

It isn't really any worse than a vibratory tumbler on noise.

The only cases I've ran through it were ones that I've sized and had lube on. I ran them about 3 hours or so and they looked pretty good. I just put in new cob without any polish.

I think you could put 2-300 bmg brass in here if you wanted to.

 

[lawrra]

Slightly off topic, but how big/what type of tumbler would I be looking for to use on .40 brass? I'm not a reloader, but I may be soon.

 

[super38]

2500 Pro Magnum Tumbler

This is what I use and I think it does a great job. (up to 1,000 .38 cases, so I would say maybe a few more .40's.)

 

[lawrra]

2500 Pro Magnum Tumbler

This is what I use and I think it does a great job. (up to 1,000 .38 cases, so I would say maybe a few more .40's.)

Not too shabby, thanks!

 

[mospeada]

This is so hilarious. I thought about doing this at one point, but don't really have the space for it. I hate processing brass, so anything that makes it go quicker is +1 in my book.

 

[drgnrobo]

Tim Allen would be proud ...MORE POWER ARGH ARGH ARGH

 

[super38]

Tim Allen would be proud ...MORE POWER ARGH ARGH ARGH

+1

 

[hunter_47443]

It isn't really any worse than a vibratory tumbler on noise.

The only cases I've ran through it were ones that I've sized and had lube on. I ran them about 3 hours or so and they looked pretty good. I just put in new cob without any polish.

I think you could put 2-300 bmg brass in here if you wanted to.

I was wondering what kind of polish do you use?
I used to use Brasso until I found out it has ammonia in it.

 

[hornadylnl]

I was wondering what kind of polish do you use?
I used to use Brasso until I found out it has ammonia in it.

I haven't run any polish in this cement mixer yet but I was running Nu Finish in my vibratory tumbler.

 

[cprbycps]

Great idea....what about media? I also do woodworking and have wondered if the saw dust would work as well as corn or walnut. I do create a fair amount....what about mixing it with media or using it as a replacement.....anyone have any ideas?

chuck