Has anyone here had any experience with one of the vibrating media tumblers sold by harbor freight. They have two sizes and appear solid enough. The only one I have experience with is one sold by Lyman many years ago.
Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
- Thread starter captmike03
- Start date
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I bought one. It worked great for a few months and took a dump.
Go with a name brand one and dont look back.
I bought one. It worked great for a few months and took a dump.
Go with a name brand one and dont look back.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
You get what you pay for... Buy once, cry once.
Harbor freight is only good for that tool you're only going to use once a year like the 20" adjustable wrench I bought there for a plumbing project.
You get what you pay for... Buy once, cry once.
Harbor freight is only good for that tool you're only going to use once a year like the 20" adjustable wrench I bought there for a plumbing project.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I bought one in 2010 - it tumbled over 20k pieces of brass. I just replaced it yesterday because the bowl was getting warped out of shape (yes, I could have just bought a replacement bowl...). I got another HF 5lb model - with a 20% off coupon and their warranty, it was about $54. If this one lasts another 2 years I'll be fine with that.
I bought one in 2010 - it tumbled over 20k pieces of brass. I just replaced it yesterday because the bowl was getting warped out of shape (yes, I could have just bought a replacement bowl...). I got another HF 5lb model - with a 20% off coupon and their warranty, it was about $54. If this one lasts another 2 years I'll be fine with that.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
As I mentioned,I once had a Lyman vibrating one and it worked great for my needs (I don't shoot/reload for a living). I think a Lyman can be purchased for about $75 delivered and a RCBC for around a hundred. The HF one is $55 plus tax. Except for the Lyman, they all look pretty much alike. Maybe the bowl designs are different. I say all this as I can pick up a HF one and return it anytime I need to.
As I mentioned,I once had a Lyman vibrating one and it worked great for my needs (I don't shoot/reload for a living). I think a Lyman can be purchased for about $75 delivered and a RCBC for around a hundred. The HF one is $55 plus tax. Except for the Lyman, they all look pretty much alike. Maybe the bowl designs are different. I say all this as I can pick up a HF one and return it anytime I need to.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
Screw the tumbler! I got a HF ultrasonic cleaner and haven't tumbled since. It's actually an Chicago Electric brand that HF carries. It was on special for $30. It's not big but I don't need big, so I bought it. It gets the gunk out of inside cases fine enough and does good job on primer pockets and I don't have to pick the walnut media out of flash holes, because there be no media! It seems like it's well made.
Lemon juice, a few drops of Dawn & distilled water does the trick.
Screw the tumbler! I got a HF ultrasonic cleaner and haven't tumbled since. It's actually an Chicago Electric brand that HF carries. It was on special for $30. It's not big but I don't need big, so I bought it. It gets the gunk out of inside cases fine enough and does good job on primer pockets and I don't have to pick the walnut media out of flash holes, because there be no media! It seems like it's well made.
Lemon juice, a few drops of Dawn & distilled water does the trick.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
Ignorance showing here, but what is SS?
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside?
Ignorance showing here, but what is SS?
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside?
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Capt Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance showing here, but what is SS?
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside? </div></div>
Stainless steel
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Capt Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance showing here, but what is SS?
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside? </div></div>
Stainless steel
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Capt Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance showing here, but what is SS?
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside? </div></div>
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1513345&page=1
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Capt Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance showing here, but what is SS?
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside? </div></div>
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1513345&page=1
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I've had one for a year and half I've tumbled over 10k pieces of brass with it sometimes I'd forget to turn it off over night and the damn thing hasn't skipped a beat. YMMV
I've had one for a year and half I've tumbled over 10k pieces of brass with it sometimes I'd forget to turn it off over night and the damn thing hasn't skipped a beat. YMMV
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Capt Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside? </div></div>
it does ok but I'm sure SS is better for that. If I got some real cleaner solution and used it maybe that would improve. But I just did some once fired and they came out looking brand new. That slowly degrades through several firings. But insides of brass is washed out real well, primer pockets are done pretty good, real solution like Hornady cleaner for ultrasonic would be much better I bet, like I said before I just use lemon juice and Dawn. I don't care much about looks, just want clean as possible for when annealing and for the sizing die. After sizing I ultrasonic again to wash lube off.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Capt Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I have looked at the ultra sonic cleaners at HF,they have two sizes. Do they do an OK job on the outside? </div></div>
it does ok but I'm sure SS is better for that. If I got some real cleaner solution and used it maybe that would improve. But I just did some once fired and they came out looking brand new. That slowly degrades through several firings. But insides of brass is washed out real well, primer pockets are done pretty good, real solution like Hornady cleaner for ultrasonic would be much better I bet, like I said before I just use lemon juice and Dawn. I don't care much about looks, just want clean as possible for when annealing and for the sizing die. After sizing I ultrasonic again to wash lube off.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
Viberator case tumblers are a dry process, the cases are ready to use when you want to. Both Ultrasonic and Steel cleaners do a 'better job' but not meaningfully so. They are wet processes so the cases must be totally dried before use, and they are <span style="text-decoration: underline">much more costly</span> too. I have a moderately large Ultrasonic cleaner and two vib tumblers; my cases go in a tumbler! I won't be spending the money to get a wet rotary tumbler and SS media, I just don't need to make a wet mess to clean cases!
HF tumblers are totally Chinese made, so are some other much more costly brands, but they all use Chinese motors. The best current deal for quality/price are Berry's (also sold as Cabela's) which <span style="font-style: italic">is</span> American made (except the motor). Berry's price is about the same as HF but the motors have large diameter shafts and ball bearings so, on average, they should last longer than most others and do it with fewer maintanance problems.
Fine grit tumbling media (20-40) works as well as the more common grit size (12-20) and it won't clog flash holes.
Viberator case tumblers are a dry process, the cases are ready to use when you want to. Both Ultrasonic and Steel cleaners do a 'better job' but not meaningfully so. They are wet processes so the cases must be totally dried before use, and they are <span style="text-decoration: underline">much more costly</span> too. I have a moderately large Ultrasonic cleaner and two vib tumblers; my cases go in a tumbler! I won't be spending the money to get a wet rotary tumbler and SS media, I just don't need to make a wet mess to clean cases!
HF tumblers are totally Chinese made, so are some other much more costly brands, but they all use Chinese motors. The best current deal for quality/price are Berry's (also sold as Cabela's) which <span style="font-style: italic">is</span> American made (except the motor). Berry's price is about the same as HF but the motors have large diameter shafts and ball bearings so, on average, they should last longer than most others and do it with fewer maintanance problems.
Fine grit tumbling media (20-40) works as well as the more common grit size (12-20) and it won't clog flash holes.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I got many years of use out of my Harbor Freight Tumbler, even with the regimine of tumbling shells overnight. You can find them for as low as $30 (I looked last week) but shipping brings the minimum delivery price up intothe $60 range.
I got many years of use out of my Harbor Freight Tumbler, even with the regimine of tumbling shells overnight. You can find them for as low as $30 (I looked last week) but shipping brings the minimum delivery price up intothe $60 range.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I bought this combo from Graf's over three years ago when I started. Throw some corncob and some polish in it, turn it on for a couple of hours.
10,000 centerfire rounds and it hasn't skipped a beat.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5397
I don't see the need to polish my brass 'till I can shave in the reflection, they don't shoot any better...
I bought this combo from Graf's over three years ago when I started. Throw some corncob and some polish in it, turn it on for a couple of hours.
10,000 centerfire rounds and it hasn't skipped a beat.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5397
I don't see the need to polish my brass 'till I can shave in the reflection, they don't shoot any better...
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I have been using a vibrating cleaner for about 15 years now with ceramic as a slightly wet medium for my Black Powder cases and a rotary tumbler for all my smokeless stuff with SS pins .The motor on my vibrating cleaner got to where it was speeding up and slowing down . After a few months of this ,it quit working .I took the motor apart and found the bearings wore out .Searched for that size on the internet and discovered they were skate board wheel bearings .Replaced them and its working now for almost a year . The reason i dont tumble clean my BP brass is because they tend to get the mouth beat in or rolled in.You cant see it but can feel it with a sharp hook .Arnie
I have been using a vibrating cleaner for about 15 years now with ceramic as a slightly wet medium for my Black Powder cases and a rotary tumbler for all my smokeless stuff with SS pins .The motor on my vibrating cleaner got to where it was speeding up and slowing down . After a few months of this ,it quit working .I took the motor apart and found the bearings wore out .Searched for that size on the internet and discovered they were skate board wheel bearings .Replaced them and its working now for almost a year . The reason i dont tumble clean my BP brass is because they tend to get the mouth beat in or rolled in.You cant see it but can feel it with a sharp hook .Arnie
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
i have a HF vibratory tumbler.
i turn it on when i leave for work, and with walnut media come home to nice shiny brass hours later.
had it a little over a year - when i was starting with my reloading stuff i had to budget cut somewhere. for the approx $50 i spent its more then paid for itself already. when it dies i'll smile knowing that i was able to use a budget tool to get me going and later worry about upgrading as the budget things die off. I'll have "saved" enough by then to justify replacing it with a long term solution, but until then i'll keep tumbling away with it!
i have a HF vibratory tumbler.
i turn it on when i leave for work, and with walnut media come home to nice shiny brass hours later.
had it a little over a year - when i was starting with my reloading stuff i had to budget cut somewhere. for the approx $50 i spent its more then paid for itself already. when it dies i'll smile knowing that i was able to use a budget tool to get me going and later worry about upgrading as the budget things die off. I'll have "saved" enough by then to justify replacing it with a long term solution, but until then i'll keep tumbling away with it!
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
I have an old MidwayUSA tumbler that isn't available anymore but I think is the same as the small Lyman. It has ran for 3 decades. I also bought a Franklin (?) Arsenal unit from Midway but the bowl isn't shaped to "roll" the cases like the old unit. My point is, make sure the bowl is shaped with curved sides to facilitate movement of cases and also, I used a holesaw, probably 1 1/2" (at least) to cut 3 holes in the plate on the bottom of the unit to facilitate cooling. I read about it somewhere else so not an original idea but I figure it can't hurt. Just a suggestion to make whatever unit you buy last as long as possible.
I have an old MidwayUSA tumbler that isn't available anymore but I think is the same as the small Lyman. It has ran for 3 decades. I also bought a Franklin (?) Arsenal unit from Midway but the bowl isn't shaped to "roll" the cases like the old unit. My point is, make sure the bowl is shaped with curved sides to facilitate movement of cases and also, I used a holesaw, probably 1 1/2" (at least) to cut 3 holes in the plate on the bottom of the unit to facilitate cooling. I read about it somewhere else so not an original idea but I figure it can't hurt. Just a suggestion to make whatever unit you buy last as long as possible.
Re: Vibrating tumblers from Harbor Freight
Been running one since early 2009 to tumble brass, I used it for a year solid before switching to the SS process and now I only use the corncob for loaded ammo polishing/cleaning up.
The compression bolt (all thread) up the center is worn out and I need to replace it.
Overall, it's cheap but not total trash. I'm pleased with it for what I paid for it.
Been running one since early 2009 to tumble brass, I used it for a year solid before switching to the SS process and now I only use the corncob for loaded ammo polishing/cleaning up.
The compression bolt (all thread) up the center is worn out and I need to replace it.
Overall, it's cheap but not total trash. I'm pleased with it for what I paid for it.
