Dry media tumbler - what will last more than 1-2 years - any of them?

[Dan_69GTX]

I've tried various dry media tumblers.  The Frankford Arsenal, Lyman, and Hornady.  All make it just past warranty (a little over a year) and die - the motor typically.  The motors I've found are as much as the unit.

Do you have a recommendation of one that will last longer?  I see the dillon cv-750 and cv-2001 have a 5 year warranty.  Do they last that long (or longer)?

So, what have you used that you LIKE and will LAST?  or does something like that not exist?

[painter]

Try a Thumler. I bought one used, so I have no idea how many hours are on it, but I've let it run for 8 hours at a time.

https://rocktumbler.com/thumlers/model-uv10.shtml  They make a bigger one, as well.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Such is the case with things like this today. I have a Midway 1292 tumbler that I bought 25 years ago. Tumbled gazillions of cases with it and shows no indication of failure anytime soon. I think if I was buying a new one I'd look at the offerings from Dillon.

[ReloaderFred]

Berry's has a 3 year warranty on their tumbler motors and a lifetime warranty on the plastic in them.  After the warranty expires, they will completely rebuild it for $20.00, including return shipping, but you have to pay shipping it to them.  I've done this twice with a Berry's that I bought when they first came out.

https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/ber-qd-500-vib-tumbler-110v

However, for longevity, go with the Thumler's tumblers.  I've got two UV-18's that are at least 35 years old, and I've replaced the motors once in each of them.  I also have a UV-45, the big monster, but I don't know how old it is, since I'm the third owner that I know of.  That one will handle a couple thousand handgun brass at a time, but it's big and noisy.  It's made for industrial use, and is HEAVY DUTY.

http://thumlerstumbler.com/vibratory.html

My tumblers get a lot of use, and it's not uncommon for me to have all four tumblers going at the same time for days on end.  You get what you pay for, and the Thumlers are top of the line, but Berry's has the best warranty for the inexpensive hobby tumblers.  While smaller, they do a good job.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[lewmed]

My Dillon has given me over 25 years of service and still works but I have moved on to wet tumbling it is much faster and cleaner I can do a 20 lb load and have it dry and ready to reload in about an hour and a half using DC Armory brass cleaning concentrate. I'll do 5 or 6 loads in a afternoon and have several months worth of brass for reloading.

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks for all the replies - keep em coming.

I don't want wet - I want dry.  I'm currently building my own wet tumbler.

[Earl Keese]

Mine(Berry's) has been going strong for at least 4 years. Granted, since I started wet tumbling last year I only use the dry tumbler for short periods to clean up loaded ammo.

[MadDuner]

My Frankford Arsenal tumbler is 10 years old..... but only runs 4 or 5 hours per week.

[Wobbly]

I've used Dillon tumblers all my life because that's what I got in the first CraigsList deal. The used CV-500 had to get a new motor about 2 years into ownership. Since then I've swapped for a CV-750 which has done much better.

I also got a used CV-2000 in the same deal which is massive, but also has a equally massive motor. That thing has lasted over 18 years now.


What I understand is that the cheaper motors with plain bearings are the ones that give out. Look for motors with ball bearings.

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks for all the replies.

I checked with Dillon and they will rebuild, but not sell parts.  Since I'm in VA and they are in AZ - that is a lot of shipping.  Thumbler sells motors and parts, so I ordered the UV-10.

Time will tell if....I chose wisely.

[MadDuner]

I must admit that having CZ Customs, Dillon, and HBI as local to me is convenient.... but sometimes too convenient.  But I’m not complaining!

[czluvr]

Also, short life on one of my cheaper ones was caused by me overloading it trying to speed things up. When I loaded it too heavy the motor got a lot hotter.

[painter]

Thanks for all the replies.

I checked with Dillon and they will rebuild, but not sell parts.  Since I'm in VA and they are in AZ - that is a lot of shipping.  Thumbler sells motors and parts, so I ordered the UV-10.

Time will tell if....I chose wisely.

Did you order the std, or industrial, model?

[George16]

I still have my original Lyman Pro 1200 turbo model I bought back in Feb 2012 when I started reloading. I think the key is knowing the max and constant load limits of the motor and not overloading it with the amount of brass and media.

[Dan_69GTX]

Did you order the std, or industrial, model?

I ordered this one

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Thumlers-Tumbler-Ultra-Vibe-Tumbler/705516.uts?slotId=0