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CAS TOPICS => The Powder Room - CAS reloading => Topic started by: Hair Trigger Jim on December 30, 2023, 08:11:29 AM

Title: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Hair Trigger Jim on December 30, 2023, 08:11:29 AM: I received a Harbor Freight dual drum rotary tumbler for Christmas. It seems some people do some modifications to them and others are happy just the way they are.

I know a few of you have some experience with this tumbler, and I did a search and read the posts on it here.

I am wondering if you have any specific tips for maintenance of this tumbler, and if you recommend any modifications to it either out of the box or down the road.

Thanks,
Hair Trigger Jim
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Mogorilla on December 31, 2023, 07:25:14 AM: I have the single drum version. Works great for me but do not overload the drums. I do about 10 45-70 rounds at a time and ~18 45 colt at a time.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Niederlander on December 31, 2023, 08:36:48 AM: How big are the drums? I built my own rotary tumbler using a Thumler's drum, and it does a couple hundred .45 cases at a time. By the way, an old dehydrator works great to dry your brass.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Hair Trigger Jim on December 31, 2023, 08:41:19 AM: There are two 3lb capacity drums; I think they're the same drum as Mogorilla's. I don't expect to do large lots at one time.

I do have an old dehydrator that I snagged from a dumpster at a garage sale for just that purpose. Works great on brass that went through the ultrasonic.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Hair Trigger Jim on January 01, 2024, 08:00:11 AM: Quote from: Mogorilla on December 31, 2023, 07:25:14 AM
I have the single drum version. Works great for me but do not overload the drums. I do about 10 45-70 rounds at a time and ~18 45 colt at a time.

Out of curiosity, how long do you tumble?
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Major 2 on January 01, 2024, 08:13:58 AM: I use a salvaged computer cabinet fan that blows directly into the tumblers motor from deck below.
Heat in the motors are the death to them.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Mogorilla on January 01, 2024, 08:30:16 PM: I run mine about 6 hours a time.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Cholla Hill Tirador on January 10, 2024, 11:31:57 PM: I've been using one of the Harbor Freight dual cylinder tumblers for years...I'd say 10-12 years. No mods (didn't know there were any) and no problems, at all. I load 1 lb. of SS pins, 1 lb. of water and 1 lb. of brass in each one. I've lost count of the times I forgot and left it running all night and well into the next day.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight rotary tumbler maintenance?
Post by: Cliff Fendley on February 04, 2024, 07:51:25 PM: I've also been using a double drum one for years. Just use it right out of the box. It usually runs around 3 hours at a time. As far as keeping the motor cool, mine sits on the concrete basement garage floor when in use, not sure if that matters or not but has worked fine for years.