Tumbler advice

[mechanic]

My Thumbler's Tumbler motor bit the dust today, having run who knows how many hours.  Since I'm sure the warranty is out, (it dates to the 70's), I may have to move out of the stone age.
 
I'm seeing new "ultrasonic" cleaners available, and numerous vibratory type.
 
I may clean 200 - 300 pcs of brass a month average, so where would my money be best spent?
 
Thanks for your advice.
 
Ben

[Ranger99]

nothing wrong with the thimler's


i use vibratory - 1 used rcbs and 2
i made , the ones like you used to see
around made with the plastic funnel
glued in the plastic salad bowl with
the motor on the bottom. but then
again, that was when the motors
could be had from grainger at a decent
price. the homemade ones have no lid, so
those are best used outside where the
dust won't get everywhere.


maybe a replacement motor can be had
right , or a different motor can be engineered
to work with what you have?

[YRUpunting?]

I've had one of these for about a year, works fine for me.


http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-cleaning/case-tumblers/lyman-1200-pro-tumblers-prod42930.aspx

[mechanic]

Ranger, I've looked at some of those options, but have come to believe the vibratory would get the job done faster.  On really dirty cases, the Thumbler has to run for hours. 
 
YRU, that is about what I had in mind, just didn't know if the cheaper ones were durable.  I used to think that spending more money got better stuff, but nowadays it isn't so, I just try and use what others have had good luck with.
 
Have ya'll seen the new ultrasonic ones used?
 
Ben

[FPH]

I use a rock tumbler......some Wisk and a little cream of tartar......brass looks like new.

[bosephus]

i'd get another thumblers myself ,  and while your at it upgrade your media to stainless steel pins .

 youll never have to buy media again and youll have the cleanest brass you ever seen in less then 3 hours no matter how dirty 

[Ranger99]

i've seen what an ultrasonic gun cleaner
does- one gunsmith i know of and i believe
at least one l.e. armory i know of uses them.
absolutely gets every little speck of grime gone
from the teeniest nook or largest cranny.


now. . .initial setup costs and costs of
solutions may be the kicker.
that's the only reason i didn't buy one
of the gun cleaning rigs. i guess you'd
also have to research if there are any
substitutions for the fluids and what if
any detrimental effects may be on the
brass cases, cleaner run times with the
factory solutions vs. subst. solutions,
anti-foaming, etc.


myself, i'll have to stick with the vibratory
route, if only because i'm nearly lifetime
stocked with media and polish and i know
what to expect as far a s run times and results.


good luck on your grail quest.

[Kskybroom]

Google Thumblers
See if thay have parts

[carlsflh]

my old tumbler gave out a year ago just recently i bought a ultrasonic cleaner saw it on ebay paid just under $30. for it it's small only holds around 50 44 mag or 75 38spl  and about 16 oz of cleaning solution they claim you can do 100 223 cases at a time i was suprised at how it cleans took 2 10 minute cycles and cases looked almost new we did about 150 38 spl and 50-60 30-30 cases[4 loads] using the same solution [mixed 3/4 oz/15oz of hot water ]might have been able to do 1 more batch so it seems fairly inexpensive a quart of cleaner runs around 18-22 dollars and will probly last me a few years the brand i bought was a franklin arsenal i should have gotten larger one  after seeing how it worked also some of the larger ones have a heater in them to keep the solution warm

[wmdron]

I have been using the Lyman 1200 for a couple of years now with good results. I guess I clean about the same amount of brass as you (300 per month) and don't really see the need to go to an ultrasonic. I'm not downing ultrasonics, I just don't know that much about them.  Before I make the switch I would like them to be out and in use for a little while longer. Personally, I don't like dealing with liquids I always seem to make one heck of a mess when I do.

[Grumpybear]

I just got a Franklin Arsonal, ran 1 batch of about 100 45-70 cases thru it. Took about 20 mins to get em clean (20 years of grim) and I liked the results.
I never used anything for cleaning befor so geting started was money one way or the other.
 
They don't come out all shiny an all they are clean enuff to eat of off.
 
Grumpy