Replacement Brass Tumbler...Which To Get?

[Deep Creek Rock]

My old Vibrashine Vortex tumbler motor finally gave up the ghost after 15 years of use. It was an excellent tumbler, but I need to buy another tumbler. Vibrashine is no longer around, so wont be buying another one.

Id like some input on vibratory tumblers, from people who have units for a few years. Im kinda tossed up between a Lyman Magnum, or an RCBS unit. From what I gather RCBS will warranty even their tumblers for life, but the Lymans have bigger capacity which I need. Im open to other models - but dont need no over $100 model units.

Im not looking for a small capacity tumbler, and dont want a unit that the motor wont last more then a couple of months or years.

So what tumblers are decent out there now?

 

[Caeb75]

I would suggest one of the tumblers that are made by Berry's. I sell reloading supplies, and have several of them. I have one of the Cabelas versions that is over 10 years old and I have way overloaded it on many occasions. It has outlasted several lyman tumblers. I asked my Berrys rep if they made the tumblers for frankford arsenal, cabelas, hornady, rcbs, etc....

He told me that that was the rumor with a little snicker after that.....LOL. The other good part is that the plastic parts are warrantied for life. The motors have a 2 or 3 year warranty, but if it goes up after that, they will sell you one for 20 or 30 bucks. This is regardless of the brand that is on it.

These are very solid tumblers. They are the only vibratory tumblers I will buy for personal use or for resale.

All of the brass we sell is tumbled in plain walnut as part of our inspection and sorting process. The green one I have....fuggetaboutit as it is over 10 years old. The blue ones are between 6 mos and 1.5 years old and have probably had more brass through them than any hobby reloader will put through them in a lifetime.

 

[trickg]

I have the basic 110 volt RCBS vibratory tumbler. It doesn't have a huge capacity, but I tumbled a couple of hundred rounds at once with no issues.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/103614/rcbs-vibratory-case-tumbler-110-volt?cm_vc=S014

Here's the Hornady version that appears to be the same basic thing for more than $20 less.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/711534/hornady-m-2-case-tumbler-110-volt?cm_vc=S014

 

[BUFF7MM]

Rock, I found the owners manual to my RCBS tumbler and I misstated the warranty, it's only one year.
Saying that, when I called last year for a replacement motor, they sent me a new one with no questions asked.

 

[Traveler]

I have a barely used RCBS you can have for $60. I rarely use it now that I went to stainless.

 

[trickg]

I went with the RCBS tumbler due to their reputation of quality and customer support. The tumbler I bought doesn't have the best reputation in reviews, but I have yet to have a single issue with mine, and I'm sure RCBS would stand behind it if I did.

 

[tony b]

i have an old lyman and she still keeps going

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

I have the basic 110 volt RCBS vibratory tumbler. It doesn't have a huge capacity, but I tumbled a couple of hundred rounds at once with no issues.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/103614/rcbs-vibratory-case-tumbler-110-volt?cm_vc=S014

Here's the Hornady version that appears to be the same basic thing for more than $20 less.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/711534/hornady-m-2-case-tumbler-110-volt?cm_vc=S014

Those 2 units look exactly like my Vibrashine (mine is yellow though).

Its to my understanding that both of those units use Made In China motors, which makes me wonder about the longevity of those.

My old Vibrashine, is entirely made in the USA, including the motor, which makes me wonder if thats why it lasted so long.

Supposedly the Lymans are US made, but Ive read reviews, stating the motors are too small for the Magnum units.

I dont need a massive tumbler, but I dont want one that I have to shoehorn 100 cases into. I generally tumble 200-300 cases at time, regularly.

 

[byf43]

DCR,

I've got two (2) Lyman Turbo Tumblers. Both 1200 models.

One has been used almost every week, since 1982 and still works perfectly.

It originally didn't have an on/off switch, so, I put one in it and also fused it.

ZERO issues.

I paid around $90.00 for the first one. They're now around $50.00.

 

[trickg]

DCR, is there any chance you could have the motor replaced in the Vibrashine? It might be an economical solution if nothing else is wrong with it, and you'll have some choice about which motor you install.

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

DCR, is there any chance you could have the motor replaced in the Vibrashine? It might be an economical solution if nothing else is wrong with it, and you'll have some choice about which motor you install.

I wish I could find a replacement motor. Vibrashine is now some other company that no longer sells or makes tumblers.

The motor is kinda of an odd shape,- and screws into the base of the tumbler -the mounting screws would have to line up.

That unit is over 15 years old, I wouldnt be surprised if the motors for those went out of production since.

 

[Mooseman]

Roc, I have a Lyman Turbo, not magnum. I have not had it too awful long, as you know. I am very happy with it.

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

Roc, I have a Lyman Turbo, not magnum. I have not had it too awful long, as you know. I am very happy with it.

Yeah I know you got that one. I need one a little bit bigger though. You know me and expending 45 rounds regularly

 

[hodgepodge]

Buy the Cabela's kit.

 

[Mooseman]

Yeah I know you got that one. I need one a little bit bigger though. You know me and expending 45 rounds regularly

Trust me. I know you need a bigger tumbler than what I have. You always beat me to the range and scarf up on all that brass.

 

[John from MD]

+1 for the Cabela's tumbler. It is made for Berrys and can take a couple hundred cases with no sweat. Plus, Cabela's will take it back if it has a manufacturing problem almost forever. I have sent fishing reels back to them a couple of years after buying them and they replaced them or gave me credit.

 

[EarnestT]

How about Dillon? Anybody use them?

 

[Uncle Duke]

Hey Rock,

Have had your same question myself. The b*tch with your question is that old adage about past performance not necessarily being indicative of future results. But here's my story.

For awhile, I didn't use tumblers at all. Then in (I believe) 1981, I bought a little Lyman 600. It met my needs at the time. I STILL use that tumbler today. Ran it much of the day yesterday as a matter of fact! I can't kill the damned thing! Whatever I paid for that tumbler at the time, I didn't pay enough because it certainly doesn't owe me a nickel!

Then maybe 16 years ago, I bought a Lyman 1200. Still good. And now I have 2 tumblers that are long in the tooth.

Around a month ago, I noticed that Cabelas had a 1200 for $44.99 plus free shipping. Posted it here as a matter of fact. Have never seen a better price on one. So a 1200 is now sitting in reserve in the box on my shelf.

Lyman makes the best vibratory tumbler today? Same motors/quality today as yesteryear? I don't know.....I can't say. But for me? I can't quit a winner till the cards run cold.

Hope your luck is similar.

 

[John from MD]

How about Dillon? Anybody use them?

I had a Dillon for about 12 years until it gave up the ghost. I switched to Cabelas because Dillon did not make the same tumbler anymore. (I actually had it shipped and sent it back) So far, my Cabelas is as good as my old Dillon, maybe a little quieter.

 

[smdub]

A Burr King is probably top of the line. A model 40 will do you right

FWIW, there are hobby tumblers like the Lyman/RCBS/etc and there are industrial models that are built to run 24/7 for decades. If you are good at scrounging online auctions you can get super deals on stuff that will never die. But it will be heavy And maybe not fit in a closet either Though they do make smaller models.