I need a stainless pin tumbler

[flashpan]

Bought the FA...thanks for the help. It does work well. Just need to get used to the dirty water mess.
Time to get one so I could use some advise. I probably won't polish more than 200 pieces so not sure what size and brand. I also would like to get the tumbler and pins for under 75.00. Thanks for any help.

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[RVTECH]

I have this one and it works great.
Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler
It had its typical Harbor Freight idiosyncrasies but a couple 'tweeks' have got it working perfectly.
5 LB bags of pins on Amazon for under $20

 

[flashpan]

Thanks
how many lbs of pins do you need for this?

 

[RVTECH]

about a lb + per cup.
The single drum is a little less and I probably would have gone for it instead of the double but I didn't see it until later - the double allows you to do two different sizes of brass that can't be tumbled together or they will 'nest' EG 9mm & .45

 

[Tangent123123]

It is a bit expensive, but I purchased a Thumler's Tumbler (Model B) about 5 years ago and it's been great for me. It will hold 15lbs of material and you can buy replacement parts for it if you ever need.

Thumler's Tumbler - Professional Polishers and Tumblers

Oops sorry, disregard. I didn't see the "under $75 part" until after I posted.

 

[flashpan]

RVTECH
Wish you were closer...I'd buy your tumbler.

 

[RVTECH]

Wish you were closer...I'd buy your tumbler.

Mines not for sale - got a harbor Freight near you?

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

Get a drill, a paint can, and some skateboard trucks/wheels. You can put one together for a few bucks.

 

[flashpan]

Mines not for sale - got a harbor Freight near you?

oops...saw one from another member...thanks again

 

[DizzyJ]

Get the Frankford Arsenal kit. Great buy and has everything you need to get started!

 

[jordanka16]

Get the Frankford Arsenal kit. Great buy and has everything you need to get started!

Yup do this, mines going strong on 2 years now, and I tumble a lot of brass, lol.

I would upgrade the pins though, the ones it comes with are not that great.

 

[flashpan]

Just did step up to the FA
thanx guys

 

[DizzyJ]

Yup do this, mines going strong on 2 years now, and I tumble a lot of brass, lol.

I would upgrade the pins though, the ones it comes with are not that great.

Explanation on the pins comment? What issues are you having?

 

[jordanka16]

They're the smaller diameter pins, so they could potentially get stuck in a primer pocket. I used them for a while and didn't have any issues, just changed as a preventative measure.

They're also just not finished as nicely as some of the higher end ones.

 

[Camelfilter]

I've one of the harbor freight dual drum tumblers, upgraded the drum to a home made single larger drum. Plenty of tips both on here and on the interwebs on how to go about making a larger drum.

Stainless steel pins I bought online, forget exactly from who/where...will take a look in a minute. Anyways the pins I bought are smaller kinda egg shaped. No issues with them getting stuck in pockets etc.

Bought the pins from "southern shine tumbler" on the interwebs, from @KeepnitReel recommendation (see post #9 in this thread here: Stainless media). Very economical in the bulk I bought. It's been a little while, so not sure on the current pricing/quantities and such.

 

[ageingstudent]

Just did step up to the FA
thanx guys

I like mine also. I haven't had any issues with it in the three(?) years I've been using it. Certainly not the least expensive option, but nice to have. I don't think you'll have buyer's remorse after a couple batches. You should probably consider purchasing some sunglasses though.

 

[DizzyJ]

They're the smaller diameter pins, so they could potentially get stuck in a primer pocket. I used them for a while and didn't have any issues, just changed as a preventative measure.

They're also just not finished as nicely as some of the higher end ones.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[CLT65]

I have the Frankford Arsenal tumbler also. I've used it a lot over the last few years and it's held up really well. The only trouble I've had is that the timer no longer works reliably.

 

[IRY]

I have this one
Jet.com - Prices Drop As You Shop

It's over your price minus the time and effort to make something work. You'll need to separate the media from the brass too and this kit includes a set of pans that work good. I use a rotary media separator with mine too.

 

[P7M13]

Bought the FA...thanks for the help. It does work well. Just need to get used to the dirty water mess.
Time to get one so I could use some advise. I probably won't polish more than 200 pieces so not sure what size and brand. I also would like to get the tumbler and pins for under 75.00. Thanks for any help.

Not sure what you need here. Is it that the FA is so big, or you need pins?