Small Batch Vibratory Tumbling
Quote from bigatsc on August 4, 2023, 9:51 pmI have an older Dillon 2000 Vibe tumbler (been going strong for about 30 years), and have been doing a lot of load development as the powders I used are no longer made/available. This means a LOT of small onesy twosy batches of dirty brass so I spend more time chasing small amounts of brass in a large volume of media. Does anyone have a solution to keeping small batches (10 to 20) separated so I can tumble 9mm/380/38s with 223s at the same time? Can i piggyback a smaller bowl with separations for 3 or 4 sections to tumble? I have a 3d printer to make some cages, but I'm surely not the first to have this issue...
Thanks in advance.
I have an older Dillon 2000 Vibe tumbler (been going strong for about 30 years), and have been doing a lot of load development as the powders I used are no longer made/available. This means a LOT of small onesy twosy batches of dirty brass so I spend more time chasing small amounts of brass in a large volume of media. Does anyone have a solution to keeping small batches (10 to 20) separated so I can tumble 9mm/380/38s with 223s at the same time? Can i piggyback a smaller bowl with separations for 3 or 4 sections to tumble? I have a 3d printer to make some cages, but I'm surely not the first to have this issue...
Thanks in advance.
Quote from Xiphos on August 4, 2023, 10:29 pmI am cleaning more than your small batches but have found the 9mmx19s trapped in my 45s.
The last time we went shooting, my grandson threw all the brass into one container. Me, being the lazy slug I am, emptied it all into the 2000 tumbler. Every time I think I'm saving time, it bites me.
The only thing I can figure is a small cage with bars far enough apart to let your media inside. That would keep the casings segregated (I'm NOT being a racist!).
Perhaps some small Tupperware-type plastic containers with judicious slots cut in the sides/bottom/top???
I am cleaning more than your small batches but have found the 9mmx19s trapped in my 45s.
The last time we went shooting, my grandson threw all the brass into one container. Me, being the lazy slug I am, emptied it all into the 2000 tumbler. Every time I think I'm saving time, it bites me.
The only thing I can figure is a small cage with bars far enough apart to let your media inside. That would keep the casings segregated (I'm NOT being a racist!).
Perhaps some small Tupperware-type plastic containers with judicious slots cut in the sides/bottom/top???
Quote from bigatsc on August 6, 2023, 7:56 pmThat sounds interesting - but if the plastic container is filled 3/4 full with media and say 20 or so pieces of brass and placed into a 3/4 full of media Dillon 2000. Do you really need the slots cut into it?
Has anyone tried this?
That sounds interesting - but if the plastic container is filled 3/4 full with media and say 20 or so pieces of brass and placed into a 3/4 full of media Dillon 2000. Do you really need the slots cut into it?
Has anyone tried this?
Quote from Xiphos on August 6, 2023, 11:38 pmUndiscovered country!
I imagined the slots allowing media to freely circulate between the small container and the large bowl.
The easiest test would be to first try it with no slots and see what happens. The vibratory action is very strong in this cleaner.
The worst that could happen is your wife giving you the hairy eyeball when she sees you appropriating a container or an hour's worth of running with no results!
Undiscovered country!
I imagined the slots allowing media to freely circulate between the small container and the large bowl.
The easiest test would be to first try it with no slots and see what happens. The vibratory action is very strong in this cleaner.
The worst that could happen is your wife giving you the hairy eyeball when she sees you appropriating a container or an hour's worth of running with no results!
Quote from bigatsc on August 8, 2023, 2:04 pmWell, I guess I just HAVE to go out and dirty up some brass...shucky darns! Tee hee
I noticed that Lyman has 2 different sized bowls for THEIR vibratory tumbler...I wonder if a smaller bowl for the 2000 that fits inside the big bowl and is separated into 3 or 4 sections to do several incompatible brass cases at once might be forthcoming. Hint, hint
Well, I guess I just HAVE to go out and dirty up some brass...shucky darns! Tee hee
I noticed that Lyman has 2 different sized bowls for THEIR vibratory tumbler...I wonder if a smaller bowl for the 2000 that fits inside the big bowl and is separated into 3 or 4 sections to do several incompatible brass cases at once might be forthcoming. Hint, hint
Quote from ARMTGuy on August 8, 2023, 10:36 pmdividing the bowl would dampen the scrubbing movement of the media, and not clean anything. If you've ever run a vibratory cleaner with the lid off, there is lots of movement in multiple directions.
dividing the bowl would dampen the scrubbing movement of the media, and not clean anything. If you've ever run a vibratory cleaner with the lid off, there is lots of movement in multiple directions.
Quote from Jerry650 on January 20, 2025, 8:53 pmI use fish net type bags and load each caliber in a bag, tumble, and each caliber is still separated.
I use fish net type bags and load each caliber in a bag, tumble, and each caliber is still separated.