WTB - Case Tumbler

[ccondrey]

I'm wanting a case tumbler for reloading. Preferably a Lyman, Dillon, RCBS, or Hornady (not necessarily in that order). What brands work well and what brands am I to avoid.

I was hoping someone upgraded to a bigger one or has an extra one laying around that they're not using and wants to sell.

I figured I'd ask here before ordering - had a couple people tell me they had a reloader the day after I ordered mine.

thx-Chris

[dmeis]

I use a Lyman. I should get another one so I don't have to switch media during my "process".

Sportsmans has some inexpensive ones...

I've had good luck with the Lyman bbrand.

[pineneedle]

I have used a Hornady unit for about 20 years with no problems, but that is probably what each respondent will say. Here is a different idea. You will notice that there are several tumblers listed in the Eastwood Catalog. They are designed to clean up auto parts. My guess is that they would be super-tough (my experience is that Eastwood sells good stuff). Anyway, it might be worth consideration.

Pineneedle

[ZappBranigan]

I got about 6 years out of my Cabelas tumbler. Eventually, the rubber/plastic part that connected the motor to the bowl cracked and broke. To replace it I got a $35 tumbler from http://www.cheaperthandirt.com It's still in the box as I just moved and haven't got room to set up my reloading bench yet.

I probably could have gotten more years out of a more expensive tumbler, but there's always the cost/benefit analysis to do. I have no idea how many rounds I tumbled and reloaded in the 6 years I had my Cabelas tumbler - I'm sure the number is well into the thousands. I paid around $65 for the tumbler, the sifter pan and the media (and I still have the sifter pan and the media) so I figure I got my money's worth. If the new tumbler lasts 5 years that's $7/year, so I think it's a bargain, even though a $200 tumbler would probably last longer. :P

FWIW I tumble my cases a lot longer than recommended. In some cases, I tumble them for 4-5 hours to get them nice and shiny. This is using corncob media with a polishing agent (can't remember the name) added in. I tried the red walnut media that is supposed to be good for cleaning really dirty cases, but I didn't like the residue it left behind, and my cases aren't all that dirty anyway.

[Jeffro600]

Ive got a Lyman thats probably got at least a few thousand hours on it and its still chugging along just fine.

[philip_g]

I use a dillon, same story as everyone else.

[Whitey]

I have a spare Lyman, NIB, sitting in my closet that I won in a drawing. :flipoff2:

[Budman]

I have a cheap arsed rock tumbler from the hobby store that I got years ago. It does a great job, and was cheap...