Hi Picker, hopefully I would change my mind and buy a rotating drum for wet
cleaning with stainless steel pins.
Tony
cleaning with stainless steel pins.
Tony
I am going to purchase a vibratory case cleaner
I like Dillons large one, but the Lyman with the media dump has me interested.
What would you buy, Both have good reputations.
Dillon is big, I like that, Lyman has a pretty neat idea about the media release or so it would seem ?
What would you buy, Both have good reputations.
Dillon is big, I like that, Lyman has a pretty neat idea about the media release or so it would seem ?
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
I'm using the big Dillon. Wouldn't consider anything else!
I have one I like the Frankford, wet tumbler, but sometimes I like to dry tumble especially in the winter.And truthfully for pistol I don't see a lot of advantage to wet tumbling.Hi Picker, hopefully I would change my mind and buy a rotating drum for wet
cleaning with stainless steel pins.
Tony
Best/Joe
Separating media and brass is cheap and easy, I wouldn't worry about the presence or absence of a built in separator. A mesh laundry bag and plastic bucket works fine.
I have the small Dillon and a Lyman 1200 without the auto flo deal. I'd like to have a big Dillon but the giant separator has always kept me from it. The Lyman cleans well for an inexpensive unit. I use it primarily as a small batch cleaner.
I got the Dillon media Seperartor, I just was thinking it would be nice to tumble brass in walnut, use the Lyman easy dump and refill with corncob and polish.Separating media and brass is cheap and easy, I wouldn't worry about the presence or absence of a built in separator. A mesh laundry bag and plastic bucket works fine.
But I suppose I have drank the blue kool aid too long I ordered a Dillon.this will give me the capacity I need.
Best/joe
I have two mid-size tumbler, one old Midway 1292 and a F/A. One's for cleaning with walnut and the other for polishing with corncob. Started out with only one but quickly got tired of dumping and refilling....... I just was thinking it would be nice to tumble brass in walnut, use the Lyman easy dump and refill with corncob and polish.
I bought the small Dillon, and looking now at the price difference and what the large one will clean, wish I had ordered the large.
I also have the drum/wet/SS pins and love that as well. but the SS pins are only used after 3-4 reloadings using the Dillon in between.
I also have the drum/wet/SS pins and love that as well. but the SS pins are only used after 3-4 reloadings using the Dillon in between.
I have a Berry's (Cabela's badged) and I like it because the plastic tub isn't seamed around its waist like nearly all the others.
And quite a few guys I know have had the seamed kind split after a while.
(I see that some brands with the seam are now adding a wrap of wide tape to the seam, and that probably helps a lot)
And quite a few guys I know have had the seamed kind split after a while.
(I see that some brands with the seam are now adding a wrap of wide tape to the seam, and that probably helps a lot)
I have the Lyman with the media dump. It does an OK job dumping the media. Once the media is out I use a large plastic serving spoon and scoop out the brass from the tub and put it in a large plastic colander that I put in the tub that has the bulk of the media in it, then shaking removes most of the media from the brass.
I bought some media from someone on eBay. He suggested adding a little painters spirit to the media to give the brass a nice shine. I tried it. The bowl expanded enough so the lid would fall in and make a mess of spilled media when vibrating. Had to buy a new bowl.
Also have had to buy additional plugs for the hole as it will leak over time, again making a mess. If I was doing it over again I would stay far away from this Lyman.
I bought some media from someone on eBay. He suggested adding a little painters spirit to the media to give the brass a nice shine. I tried it. The bowl expanded enough so the lid would fall in and make a mess of spilled media when vibrating. Had to buy a new bowl.
Also have had to buy additional plugs for the hole as it will leak over time, again making a mess. If I was doing it over again I would stay far away from this Lyman.
If you are going vibratory, just pick the size you want and go for it.
A media dump won't make up for lack of size if you need it.
My current vibratory is a Cabela's branded machine that is actually manufactured by Berry's (or imported more likely). It is on it's 5th year of heavy use with no issues.
My previous Lyman only got replaced because I stupidly cracked the lid.
I don't think any vibratory will give you much trouble.
I personally very much want to switch to wet SS tumbling the next time I buy a cleaner.
A media dump won't make up for lack of size if you need it.
My current vibratory is a Cabela's branded machine that is actually manufactured by Berry's (or imported more likely). It is on it's 5th year of heavy use with no issues.
My previous Lyman only got replaced because I stupidly cracked the lid.
I don't think any vibratory will give you much trouble.
I personally very much want to switch to wet SS tumbling the next time I buy a cleaner.
Same as a couple others here. I have the Cabelas (Berry's). Bought on sale as a kit, with the colander/separator included. That and a 3 or 5 gallon bucket and separating media is quick. It's been a good unit ... 3 years so far. I think a 50/50 mix of walnut and corncob does a good job of cleaning and polishing. It get's the outside clean and shiny anyway. Then again, I don't give a rats arse about pristine clean primer pockets or shiny interior case walls. For that, you need to go the wet route anyway.
I also have a Frankford Arsenal that I planned to use to do a quick clean up of finished rounds if needed (case lube or whatever). But mainly bought as a cheap spare. It's the EZ model or whatever it's called. You get what you pay for ... it works but the lid rattles and spins ... I added a large fender washer and o-ring under the lid screw otherwise I have to crank the nut down to the point of worrying about cracking the lid to avoid the rattle and spin of the lid. Also doesn't have the "action" of the Cabelas unit. But it does work.
I also have a Frankford Arsenal that I planned to use to do a quick clean up of finished rounds if needed (case lube or whatever). But mainly bought as a cheap spare. It's the EZ model or whatever it's called. You get what you pay for ... it works but the lid rattles and spins ... I added a large fender washer and o-ring under the lid screw otherwise I have to crank the nut down to the point of worrying about cracking the lid to avoid the rattle and spin of the lid. Also doesn't have the "action" of the Cabelas unit. But it does work.
Thanks men for your opinions, I started out with 2 Frankford tumblers, like Rod one with walnut and the other with cob, but they are a little too small now I need more capacity .
I'm hoping the big Dillon will hold as much as Frankford wet tumbler.
By the way I have had no trouble to speak of with the Frankford stuff, for the price they are hard to beat, I will use the small ones for small batches but that rarely happens around here.
Best/joe
I'm hoping the big Dillon will hold as much as Frankford wet tumbler.
By the way I have had no trouble to speak of with the Frankford stuff, for the price they are hard to beat, I will use the small ones for small batches but that rarely happens around here.
Best/joe
Also I noticed online there is a walnut media with jewelers rouge in it, the gripe was "Red Dust" but loading in a barn the red dust should be a non issues anyone ever try this stuff ?
Best/joe
Best/joe
I for one hated all the red dust....I went back to strictly corn cob media with polish.
Dont overlook the harbor freight beast model..The frequently offer 20% percent coupons that make this a great deal.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html
It will do 1000 .223 cases or over 1500 9mm cases in less than an hour. While not ideal it will also work as a wet tumbler if you have really dirty range brass.
I have owned both size Dillon tumblers and I am very impressed by the large Harbor Freight model.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html
It will do 1000 .223 cases or over 1500 9mm cases in less than an hour. While not ideal it will also work as a wet tumbler if you have really dirty range brass.
I have owned both size Dillon tumblers and I am very impressed by the large Harbor Freight model.
I only have one, but I'm also a little ocd and like clean shiny brass, so I do a quick agitate with a vinegar solution which cleans pretty well then once dry tumble in about 70/30 cob/walnut media with a little polish. The results are good but wondering to myself if your way would be better.:scratch:I have two mid-size tumbler, one old Midway 1292 and a F/A. One's for cleaning with walnut and the other for polishing with corncob. Started out with only one but quickly got tired of dumping and refilling.
It's never occurred to me to use 2 tumblers.
That does look like a good one, thanks for the link. I'm gonna hafta give this some thought.Dont overlook the harbor freight beast model..The frequently offer 20% percent coupons that make this a great deal.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html
It will do 1000 .223 cases or over 1500 9mm cases in less than an hour. While not ideal it will also work as a wet tumbler if you have really dirty range brass.
I have owned both size Dillon tumblers and I am very impressed by the large Harbor Freight model.
Best/joe
I have a large Dillon. It has. and continues to work great. No issues with it after more than a year's hard use. It just works.
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
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