I have read reviews all over the place on tumblers, some will always choose the cheapest, some will always purchase based on brand loyalty. I currently tumble on a Thumlers rotary cleaner since I haven’t been doing that high of volume. I have been looking at vibratory tumblers, and like the size of the Dillon, but have been impressed by the quality of the Thumlers. Because of my experience with the Thumlers, I’ve also been looking at their Ultra-Vibe 18. Some threads have been people who are adamantly against the Dillons because of problems with the motors. Have these issues been ironed out? Would you guys be able to recommend one over the other, and if so, why?
I’ve use a harbor freight tumbler for 5 years. No problems.
I’ve had the Dillon CV-750 for a few years, with about 20,000 cases through it. I love it, it’s solid and have had no issues with it.
I’ve been using a Dillon 750 also for many years. Never had a problem.
I wore out the bowl on a rcbs. They sent me a new one ,no charge, no questions. I think most all the vibratory tumblers are pretty good. Every reloader I know is pretty happy with whatever they have.
I have a Lyman and a Cabela’s house brand. I absolutely love the cabelas tumbler because it is a bit more stable when running and seems to be a good bot more quiet as well.
I have a Hornady that after several hundred cases worth of cleaning, the bowl split in half and spilled all of the contents on to the floor…:rolleyes: Yeah, probably my fault right? Still, I taped it up and use it sparingly but I will be getting a Dillon CV750 to join my Dillon 550b.
We’ve used mostly Dillon, we have around five, all are out of action at the moment. When they worked they were excellent, they are getting sent back to Dillon due to motor issues. Bear in mind they’ve been used for over ten years.
Portable cement mixers are also another option.
I’ve got the big Dillon one, I think it’s mandatory to have if you are going to be doing large amounts of 223 processing!
I have & use a Lyman 600 that I have had for years,well over 10/12 years,its been great for smaller amounts. I also have a Lyman 2500 for the last few years also and it has been GTG !! I use them alot & all has been good !! I have a buddy that has a couple Dillon’s & he used them ALOT and they have been GTG also for several years,I’ll grab the Big Dillon myself someday !!!
This is our exact experience. Also have a Frankfort Arsenal that we won at an NRA dinner that has not yet been used.
I haven’t had any issues with my Frankfort Arsenal that I’ve been running since I started reloading, about 6 years ago. I run several thousand cases through a year, rifle & pistol.
I bought a Frankford Arsenal tumbler from Midway that didn’t last a month. Sent it back for an RCBS tumbler and it has been going strong for 7 years.
i have heard that Thumlers vibratory are fairly quiet compared to others, at double or triple the price i would like to find out from other owners just how quiet before i buy one?
Mine lasted a few months before one of the connections from the power cord to the motor vibrated loose and I had to solder it. Since that I’ve used it for probably 10k + rounds over 7 years without issue.
Depending on how full you fill it with brass, it gets pretty loud.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
You already have a great tumbler. You just need to change the media and go to Stainless Steel. I am done with the old bowls and media!
Check out this link
I’ve been running a large Dillon since 86 with no problems. The springs between the base and bowl are alittle weak but still functional.
Brass cleaning is up there with doing laundry in my book and I hate the idea of cartridge cases with red rouge inside them polishing my bore. To solve this, I tumble in tuff nut then plain corncob so it is a two step process for rifle. Pistol i just polish the bore.
I have been looking at the thumblers and SS media for awhile and will probably upgrade this spring.
Just informationally:
The Cabelas house brand “Tumbler 400” is made by Berry’s Manufacturing for them, in Green, and is the same as the Berry’s own Tumbler 400 product.
The Midsouth Shooters Supply house brand is also the same device in Red, as I understand it.
So you have a bit more choice when looking for that device.
It is a nice device. I have never used one since I have an older Dillon model, but I sold the Berrys model for a long time without customer complaint.
–
I ended up getting the Thumlers, and it is unbelievably quiet. I’m glad I shelled out the extra money.
Same Harbor Freight brand. Mine runs like a top and I use it in my barn, so I never have to hear it anyway.
Pat