Would one of these work as a stainless steel tumbler?

[Creature]

I've been racking my brain on how I could build a SS tumbler with a larger capacity than the paltry 2lbs the Thumlers has. What do guys think about using/converting one of these(or something similar)?

Northern Industrial Mini Electric Cement Mixer – 1.77 Cubic Ft., Model# CM125 | Cement Mixers| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I've been racking my brain on how I could build a SS tumbler with a larger capacity than the paltry 2lbs the Thumlers has. What do guys think about using/converting one of these(or something similar)?

Northern Industrial Mini Electric Cement Mixer – 1.77 Cubic Ft., Model# CM125 | Cement Mixers| Northern Tool + Equipment

Thumlers makes a 15# wet tumbler, so why not use that?

I mean, how much brass do you need to do at a time, buddy?

If you have 55 gallon drum's worth, maybe the cement mixer would work well.

You could just get the big Dillon CV-2001 for $190, a 40# bag of corn, or walnut for $50 and a bottle of Dillon's Rapid Polish for $9 and go to town in the comfort of your own home. 90 minutes per batch and you're golden.

Except for getting primer pockets whistle clean, which really doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things, there's really no tangible benefit seen on paper, wrought by 'wet cleaning' and it's definitely more of a hassle.

I've seen guy's posting here, who have tumbled large lots of brass in that type of cement mixer, but they used corn/walnut and didn't go the 'wet' route.

Chris

 

[Creature]

The 15lb model requires 12-13 pounds of water/stainless steel pins. They have a 40lb model but they want $700.

 

[Doyputasos]

Ya don't do that. I just tried out the double 3lb'ers from harbor freight. In each barrel I got 100 pcs of 45 brass and enough pins and water to make em shine (I went over at 4lb ea). Those are $49 at HF right now and make sure to search a discount code in google. Saved about $15 on my order. $7 shipping to boot. Also the reviews suggest buying extra belts since they break quickly in some people's experience.

ORRRR, you could go the route of finding a suitable bbl, coating it with Line-x or rhino lining, find a way to make a suitable waterproof lid, find an appropriately sized electric motor, find a way to connect it to one of the two metal horizontal shafts and then let her spin!

 

[TacT-MecH]

I had considered the same thing but space is an issue for me. I was told if I was going to do the cement mixer route to line the drum with rubber. It gets loud. But If you have a local harbor freight they have what looks to be the same model for $150 . Portable Electric Cement Mixer - 1-1/4 Cubic Ft.. Midway has stainless pin media for $35 a bag on sale this month.

 

[Brasscow]

I fill my thumler's to the top with brass. 600 pieces of 5.56.

I've probably owned it for 5 or 6 years now, no problems... tumbled tens of thousands of pieces now and I often tumble overnight or let it go all day while I'm at work.

I've worn out one of the cross bar's rubber rollers that the drum sits on. I called thumler's and had a whole new bar with bushings and rubber/guides in a few days for less than $20.

 

[P7id10t]

You want to save money, or is more capacity the issue?
For build your own, check out this link: My home built wet tumbler - General Reloading - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!
For more capacity, already built: Biggdawg Tumblers stainless wet tumblers

 

[Creature]

You want to save money, or is more capacity the issue?
For build your own, check out this link: My home built wet tumbler - General Reloading - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!
For more capacity, already built: Biggdawg Tumblers stainless wet tumblers

Kind of trying to achieve both. Would like more capacity and not have to pay out the nose for it. Not wanting to invest more than $200-$300. Thanks for the link to Enos thread.

To poster above: is yours the 15lb model? I didn't think it could hold that much. That's not too bad.

 

[P7id10t]

I have everything i need to build something similar just in the stuff in my bone-yard. Bought a 5 gallon drum ($8).
I had to chuckle at his use of pillow block bearings.
Now if i had the time. Its just not a priority.

Kind of trying to achieve both. Would like more capacity and not have to pay out the nose for it. Not wanting to invest more than $200-$300. Thanks for the link to Enos thread.

To poster above: is yours the 15lb model? I didn't think it could hold that much. That's not too bad.