After seeing mrniceguys a couple of weeks ago I had to get one.put some parts in it last night and only let it go for about 30 minutes and what a difference.

Only 30 minutes ???  What kind of media are you using...gravel ??

I do love to tumble.  If it's made of metal and will fit in the bowl, I'll tumble it.  I'm tumbling the little metal eyelets from my running shoes right now !

Quoted from mrniceguy

Only 30 minutes ???  What kind of media are you using...gravel ??

I do love to tumble.  If it's made of metal and will fit in the bowl, I'll tumble it.  I'm tumbling the little metal eyelets from my running shoes right now !

No I said it made a difference,I didn't say it was done

Quoted from novaguy

No I said it made a difference,I didn't say it was done

If you keep lifting up the lid to check on it, it'll never get done !

Quoted from mrniceguy

If you keep lifting up the lid to check on it, it'll never get done !

Hey, I heard something like that but it was about a pot and something about boiling  .

What parts do you tumble typically other than nuts and bolts?

Quoted from wbradley

What parts do you tumble typically other than nuts and bolts?

Use the same rule you use in the shower....clean whatever someone will see and whatever makes you feel good.

The only 'issue' I had with mine was trying to over-use the already dirty walnut media (2-3 runs) and adding more flitz. The parts came out mostly clean except for globs of Flitz/walnut dust adhering to small sections and REALLY not wiping clean easily. I probably would have avoided this grief had I not added more polish.

I didn't really like the results from the corn media. I think it's too soft but perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance. A good sized bag of walnut media can be found in the 'bird litter' section at your favorite pet store for about $12.

Flitz can be found a Home Hardware. They supposedly carry jugs of that Canadian-made EvapoRust but I haven't gotten any yet.    

The turbo drain is an awesome feature but the use of a sieve is necessary for not losing the little pieces like screws, washers and pins that slip through the filter holes.

Great product and fun to see how amazingly clean the metal gets.

Quoted from wbradley

What parts do you tumble typically other than nuts and bolts?

All the nickel plated posts on my Gottlieb wedgeheads.

Quoted from mrniceguy

Use the same rule you use in the shower....clean whatever someone will see and whatever makes you feel good.

Gee Glen,in my case it's just for me.Ha ha.

Where does one purchase such an item?  I don't have a tumbler and only recall them from my childhood in the toy sections of one of these catalogues "Consumers Distributing", "Shoprite" or "Sears Christmas Catalogue".

Quoted from specfire

Where does one purchase such an item?  I don't have a tumbler and only recall them from my childhood in the toy sections of one of these catalogues "Consumers Distributing", "Shoprite" or "Sears Christmas Catalogue".

LeBaron's carries them: http://www.lebaron.ca/fall%202010%20pages/lyman_expert_kit.pdf.

I bought the Lyman 2500 Magnum Tumbler with AutoFlo. I'm not sure why it's priced less than the 2200 Turbo since it's smaller - 1.5 gallon -vs- 2.0 gallon.

Quoted from OTTOgd

LeBaron's carries them: http://www.lebaron.ca/fall%202010%20pages/lyman_expert_kit.pdf.

I bought the Lyman 2500 Magnum Tumbler with AutoFlo. I'm not sure why it's priced less than the 2200 Turbo since it's smaller - 1.5 gallon -vs- 2.0 gallon.

I tried the one with autoflow and didn't like it.  I found that the smaller parts were getting stuck in the slots for the "autoFlow" I went with the non-auto flow tumbler as was happier with the results.  

Quoted from Vengeance

I tried the one with autoflow and didn't like it.  I found that the smaller parts were getting stuck in the slots for the "autoFlow" I went with the non-auto flow tumbler as was happier with the results.  

Ya, bits can get stuck. The holes can be covered with duct tape but I'm going to give it another chance before I go that route.  Maybe a wire screen, not unlike a sieve, could cover the holes. I like the fast draining though.  

Quoted from OTTOgd

Ya, bits can get stuck. The holes can be covered with duct tape but I'm going to give it another chance before I go that route.  Maybe a wire screen, not unlike a sieve, could cover the holes. I like the fast draining though.  

It drains allot faster when I tip it upside down   I use one of those kitty litter pans with the bottom that separates to sift through the media.  Then to find the small bits I use the magnet on the back of a speaker to find the rest.  

Duct tape won't work, the motion plus abrasive nature of the media will tear it up in no time and adding the wire mesh just seems like a lot of extra work when you could just get the non auto flow version.  

If you haven't used it much, I returned mine and got a full refund and then bought the non auto flow version.  

Quoted from Vengeance

It drains allot faster when I tip it upside down   I use one of those kitty litter pans with the bottom that separates to sift through the media.  Then to find the small bits I use the magnet on the back of a speaker to find the rest.

That would be faster. These are good ideas.  

Quoted from Vengeance

If you haven't used it much, I returned mine and got a full refund and then bought the non auto flow version.

Bah. I already threw out the box. No big deal.

Is the bowl smaller or is it the same size but without the auto-drain reservoir underneath?

Quoted from OTTOgd

That would be faster. These are good ideas.  

Bah. I already threw out the box. No big deal.

Is the bowl smaller or is it the same size but without the auto-drain reservoir underneath?

You can get the non autoflow version with the same size bowl, I got the smaller one because it was all they had in stock at the time and I was desperate since my previous tumbler the motor had died.  

Quoted from Vengeance

You can get the non autoflow version with the same size bowl, I got the smaller one because it was all they had in stock at the time and I was desperate since my previous tumbler the motor had died.  

Well, there it is. Hopefully someone learned something from this thread.

It's pretty wild seeing how shiny the stuff gets. I've taken some before pics of some of the metal from my '53 'Guys Dolls' pin and post the 'after' pics when I'm done in a different thread.

Hmm... I might have to replace my old Berry. Good to know.

Quoted from Vengeance

I tried the one with autoflow and didn't like it.  I found that the smaller parts were getting stuck in the slots for the "autoFlow" I went with the non-auto flow tumbler as was happier with the results.  

When you say non auto-flow you mean you went with the 1200 Pro Turbo model ?

Quoted from SquidVicious

When you say non auto-flow you mean you went with the 1200 Pro Turbo model ?

That's what I went with, that is the smaller version.  

When I went to return it, I asked them if they had the 2200 without the auto flow, they said they did, but they were out of stock.  

Has anyone tried one of those jewelry cleaners that Factory Direct was selling yet?  I'd love to know a comparison.. I want to pick up one or the other.  Tumblers do amazing things but they're slow and loud.  

Quoted from machine.slave

Has anyone tried one of those jewelry cleaners that Factory Direct was selling yet?  I'd love to know a comparison.. I want to pick up one or the other.  Tumblers do amazing things but they're slow and loud.  

I've thought about it, but the tumblers do such a great job, why screw with something that is working.  

People on RGP speak highly of ultrasonic cleaners, I'll probably pick one up eventually at some point.  

Quoted from wbradley

What parts do you tumble typically other than nuts and bolts?

novaguy's embedded pic:

Quoted from OTTOgd

novaguy's embedded pic:

Thanks Kev,I'll figure out how to run this thing one day!Ha ha.

Quoted from novaguy

Thanks Kev,I'll figure out how to run this thing one day!Ha ha.

No worries. I'm still not sure what you polished though ... socket wrench sockets?

Quoted from OTTOgd

No worries. I'm still not sure what you polished though ... socket wrench sockets?

No no,Cross Town pf posts.

Quoted from novaguy

No no,Cross Town pf posts.

Very cool. I didn't know there were metal posts for any games! That's neat.

Quoted from OTTOgd

Very cool. I didn't know there were metal posts for any games! That's neat.

Paragon mas some metal posts as well.

Quoted from machine.slave

Has anyone tried one of those jewelry cleaners that Factory Direct was selling yet?  I'd love to know a comparison.. I want to pick up one or the other.  Tumblers do amazing things but they're slow and loud.  

Ultrasonic cleaners: I bought one from The Source for 19.99. Amazing for cleaning slotcar parts, miniature electrical motors, sun and eye glasses, jewlery etc. I pour boiling water and a drop of dish liquid and "bob's yur uncle!!'.

Tumbler: I spent a lot of time researching this and found out that Gun shop and hunting shops sell tumblers to clean their shell casings and remake used bullets. I bought a very large tumbler with corn media, 5 gallon buket, strainer, polishing liquid and a host of other little items for $99.00. Great deal. All parts in both Pinbots will be tumbled and clean.

I purchased the Walnut media as the corn media is too soft, more for really polishing items.

PS: its not worth polishing little phillip Head screws, cause you have pick out the media afterwards with a dentist pick.

Necx time i will go to Brafasco and buy 100 for 6 bucks.

polishing i use corncob media (its cheap and works) and nufinish car wax just a thin ring around (not a ton and not every tumble or it clumps) in a Dillion tumbler for 6 hours. and ayone looking for a great tumbler the have all sizes including the grand daddy big ones in stock! at Montreal Firearms Recreational Center 2206 52nd Avenue Lachine Quebec Canada H8T 2Y3 514.635.4867