Side load tumblers, messy to use?

[thefitter]

Looking at tumblers, most seem to be top feed except for the Tumler and Sidewinder. Are the side feed harder to use?

Seems like the SS media is the way to go and I think that works best in the side feed models.

Also the Tumler looks like you need a wrench to open. And the sidewinder is expensive.

 

[XTR]

Re: Side load tumblers, messy to use?

Long ago I had a rock tumbler for my first brass tumbler, and it worked great. Dump it into a screening pan sitting in a cheap wok, shake it around and viola, shiny brass.

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: Side load tumblers, messy to use?

The drum in a Thumler lifts off the rollers for loading and emptying so it's not really side-loading. And the lid is held on with wing nuts. And the stainless media is magic. The only drawback is how to dry your brass if you're in a hurry to use it.

 

[thefitter]

Re: Side load tumblers, messy to use?

Thanks for the clarification. What are some of the ways people are drying brass? Air dry should only take a day or so I would imagine.

 

[Suasponte]

Re: Side load tumblers, messy to use?

Take a look at this thread!

Terry

 

[fncannon]

Re: Side load tumblers, messy to use?

The quickest drying method would be towel(s) coupled with a heat gun/hair dryer. I'm not in that much hurry usually, so I use my home built case dryer like the galvanized bucket version in the thread.