How to build a wet media tumbler

[titanse05]

Hello everyone,

Last year in my search for cleaner brass I came across wet stainless steel media tumbling. Once I saw the results people were getting I knew that it was the way to go.

I just wanted to share the steps that I took assembling my own wet media tumbler.

How i built my own rotary tumbler was the thread that served as my inspiration in completing this project and I just adapted my setup to fit my needs.

Parts List
1/2" Shaft Motor 1725 RPM
(4) 1/2" Pillow Block Bearings www.usabearingsandbelts.com
3' piece of 1/2" diameter Steel Rod @ Lowes
3' piece of 1/2" Heater Hose @ Advance Auto Parts
1-1/2" diameter pulley @ Tractor Supply
4" diameter pulley @ Tractor Supply
14" belt @ Tractor Supply
5 lbs of Stainless Steel Tumbling Media www.buffaloarms.com
6" PVC pipe @ Lowes
1-1/2" PVC pipe @ Lowes
6" PVC end cap @ Lowes
6" to 4" PVC reducer cap @ Lowes
4" rubber pipe cap w/pipe clamp @ Lowes
PVC primer & cement @ Lowes
Duct tape
Various mounting hardware @ Lowes
Built on an existing shelf in addition to using some scrap OSB that I had laying around. If you have a welder you could build a metal frame. However, I just find wood easier to work with.


Drum assembly
1. Cut a 9" long piece of the 6" PVC pipe
2. Using a tablesaw, cut the 1-1/2" PVC into thirds along the length of the pipe. These pieces will be used as the paddles on the inside of the drum.
3. Install the paddles using hardware. I used #10 flathead screws and nuts. I recessed the screws and placed them where the PVC caps would cover them once installed in order to maintain water-tightness.
4. Cut off and grind down the extra screw length using a dremel or files. Seal with silicon caulk.
5. Installed the end cap and reducer cap using the PVC primer and cement.
6. Place duct tape on the caps so the rubber shafts have something to grip.




Here is my tumbler. It is installed on an existing pull out shelf on my reloading bench.





Here is a video of the tumbler in action.

Here is the final product. 200 pieces of deprimed 223 Lake City brass wet tumbled for two hours.

Before:


After:


Here is some 45ACP I tumbled.



Best part was that this was a previously corn cob media tumbled batch that I decided wasn't clean enough. The water that was dumped out after tumbling was almost as dark as a just fired batch.

The stainless steel tumbling just does a tremendous job of cleaning the inside of the case as well as cleaning the primer pockets. Needless to say, my dry tumbler has been sold.

There are several benefits of clean shiny brass- it is not just aesthetically more pleasurable, sometimes there are splits and flaws that are noticeable only when the brass is good and clean....and you shouldn't reload it...especially when you're reloading older military brass. Something to think about.

[GaSwamper]

Thanks for all the info, good post. I already have all that stuff on hand except the 6" PVC
, I may have to give this a try when I get caught up. Thanks.

[Suq Madiq]

Well, this just inspired me to make one from an old motor I have laying around. Thanks for the info!

[Blkdragon]

Awesome idea! I think I'm going to have to make me one of these!!

[toolboxluis00200]

ohhhh that is cool well done

[Nathan_Mack]

May have missed it but what is the drum fabricated from? And approximate cost?

[helomech]

Swamper, I'll need to make a little visit to check that out once you get it finished. Great Build titan

[titanse05]

May have missed it but what is the drum fabricated from? And approximate cost?

Drum materials are in the OP. Read it. As far as cost I had a little over $100 in it total including drum, bearings, etc. I got the motor from a member of another forum.

Swamper, I'll need to make a little visit to check that out once you get it finished. Great Build titan

Thanks, it has served me well so far.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

[Jerry R]

Good idea - great post - thanks.

[Doc_Fry]

Interesting mounting solution may have to adapt one similar to it for my tumbler and sonic cleaner.

[GaSwamper]

Swamper, I'll need to make a little visit to check that out once you get it finished. Great Build titan

Any time Helo. I noticed your brass needed a little TLC the other day, I don't have a sonic but do have the ole tumbler if u ever wanna come by and clean it up. Besides you need to see the Wolvie.

[Jerry R]

Titan, any special technique for drying the cases inside and out? If air dried, do you see dark spots (water spots) after they are dry?

[titanse05]

Titan, any special technique for drying the cases inside and out? If air dried, do you see dark spots (water spots) after they are dry?

My water is close to holy water once it gets to the faucet so I have no issues with spotting. I simply rinse, tumble in an old towel and lay it on a old cookie sheet to air dry. Every so often I will tumble the brass in the same towel and continue to let sit till dry. A fan or oven could be used to speed up the process but I'm never in that much of a hurry.

If you have hard water the use of Lemishine is recommended to eliminate spotting and discoloration of the brass. Since I have good water I just put a tablespoon of Dawn Ultra in and I've been good to go. I'd advise to only use Dawn Ultra as the walmart or other no name brands do not clean as well as the Dawn.

[Jerry R]

Cool - thanks !

[oilspill]

Wow, great post. I have a couple 5 gallon buckets of brass to clean - I think I'm going give this project a go.