This is topic minor scare last night in forum Firearms forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.


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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on September 30, 2005, 01:23 PM:
 
There I was, about to polish a hundred 223AI cases, and my vibrator was sounding funny. So, I unplugged it and turned it upside down. The shaft was almost, but not quite seized, I could still turn it with the counterballance; with difficulty.

So, I was wondering where to get parts for a Thimbler Tumbler18, and came up blank.

So, I took it apart and there was the little notice that the motor should be lubricated every six months. This thing must be twenty years old, and has NEVER been oiled!

I tried Break Free, WD40, Air tool oil, and finally, Kroil; which is what worked! Immediately. Two hours later, runs like a champ!

I almost wished it was trash, because it does not have a gate for separating media from brass. But, the price of these things will keep me from throwing it out as long as I can keep it going.

But, here's the thing. Before, I used to roll my eyes and limp my wrist when others talked about shiny brass. I guess I have reached the point where I can't live without it, any more? What a sissy! [Smile]

Good hunting. LB

PS Bought two pounds of Varget, yesterday. That will be my starting point. According to the Hodgdens website, that powder shows best velocity in 223 Rem. that I have been able to find?

Additionally, I fireformed with HS7, mag primers and a small piece of newsprint rolled up and stuffed into the neck. I fired into a hung, vertical & carpeted baffle, in my garage. No projectle. Comes out blown out, except the shoulder is not real sharp. Good enough for serious load development.

If I had to use loaded ammo and hunt, it would be another year before I'd get around to actual Ackley loads, so screw that. I want to hunt with the Ackley, this year, not standard 223s.
 
Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on September 30, 2005, 03:49 PM:
 


[ September 30, 2005, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Andy L ]
 
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on September 30, 2005, 04:19 PM:
 
I have a half dozen wildcat calibers that require fireforming. I used to use the accepted bulletless techniques for fireforming. The smaller ones would form sharper shoulders than the larger ones. Now I just load all of them with bulk bullets and form them with near max loads and shoot off hand at paper plates at 100 yards. I can use all the off hand practice that I can get.
 
Posted by Dogleg (Member # 662) on September 30, 2005, 08:42 PM:
 
Leonard,
You have to lubricate those things? Oops..........I've got a 15 year old Dillon that is about that far behind for a drop of oil.Better check it I guess.
 
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 01, 2005, 10:51 AM:
 
Here is my take on lubricating a vibratory motor in one of these case tumblers.

First of all, you have it filled with media, so you don't have much inclination to turn it upside down to look at the motor.

Then, I don't know what kind of service factor they have, but they are open wired and the dust, etc can get inside, especially if attracted to the oil, which, guaranteed, is going to get all over everything. Because, the access is very awkward, a gap in the case that could be 1/16" wide? Very difficult for drops of oil to get to the bearings, almost impossible, like dropping bombs? On the other hand, if you use a spray, it will get oil on everything and become a dust magnet.

And, they are a pain in the butt to remove. You have to remove the bowl and cut through foam to reach the 8-32 nuts.

Bottom line, maintenance on these things is a joke. No wonder they only last 15/20 years? [Smile]

Good hunting. LB
 
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on October 01, 2005, 11:35 AM:
 
Leonard,

As long as you have that lubricating oil out and handy. Ask Nancy to give you a big shot of it in your back pocket.

Maybe you can get that rusty old wallet out long enough to spend the $50 for a new one.

By the time you wear it out, you'll probably not be doing much reloading any more, and one of the Grandkids can inherit it.

I'm thinking that 15/20 years on something as cheap as a tumbler is a good deal. I don't think they were ever meant to be maintenance free fro 50 years;)
 
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 01, 2005, 12:09 PM:
 
Okay, you shamed me into it. I just set it out at the curb, for trash pick up.

And, Nancy was the one that said, when she saw me dismantling it, "wow, that didn't last very long." Time flies. I think I will (could have) get/got a little more mileage, but sure don't want to look like an el cheapo.

I looked at Midsouth and Midway and they have models for fifty-some dollars and over a hundred, I really think the one I have (had) is over a hundred, but I could be wrong?

Thanks for your help, deep pockets! LB
 
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on October 01, 2005, 06:45 PM:
 
Don't think of it as being El Cheapo, think of it as fire insurance.

You sure don't want a tumbler to fill full of dust, then overheat and catch fire while you've stepped out for just a minute.

Reloading rooms tend to have all kinds of fast burning products that can really make a mess of a house in short order.
 
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 01, 2005, 07:53 PM:
 
Yeah, I'm reaching the point where I ought to consider safety.

The place where I bought the primers and powder stored powder in a regular gun safe. Now, I might not be the sharpest, but I think that if you roast that gun powder in such a confined space for a length of time, you have a bomb?

And, I have more, and a better assortment of powders on the shelf than they had. Maybe I should start looking at a metal cabinet? I know that I could pick up used office stuff for cheap...o.

I should have asked them if they had holes in the back, or something?

Good hunting. LB
 




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