Frankford arsenal tumbler - minimum capacity

[DamaDaz]

Hi all,

Looking for my first wet rotary tumbler for brass cleaning. The Frankford Arsenal models seem to get decent reviews and seem to win on price too when compared to other reloading brands.

At the moment, I would be looking to only clean approx 150 .308 cases at a time, so a relatively small number. At first glance, the smaller ‘lite’ version seems suitable. However, my research shows these do not have a rubber lined barrel and if not loaded enough, the brass does not tumble due to lack of grip. I see people have to ‘mod’ the unit to get it to work properly. I also understand the lack of rubber lining makes it quite noisy. The YouTube videos seem to show that’s the case.

My question therefore, is are any owners of the larger (I think 7ltr version) aware of any minimum capacity requirements for the brass and/or has anyone successfully tumbled small volumes in the larger model?

Hope you can help

DamaDaz

 

[wytonpjs]

I’m running an import FA Lite and rarely tumble more than 70 odd cartridges, frequently only batches of 50. I haven’t messed about with the drum and the cases come out clean enough for me

 

[shoppe]

I have a lyman tumbler.
It has a rubber liner and it is still a bit noisy.
150 cases is a decent amount to put in.
I can't see why the cases would not get cleaned in the unlined version.
I would say the rubber is there to cut down noise.
Cheers
Shoppe

 

[Malxwal]

I'll echo what wytonpjs says, works fine with 50 cases.

 

[finnbear270]

Take care to lubricate drum to lid closures with soap or die lube, they can leak after a few minutes of operation.

 

[DamaDaz]

Thanks all, appreciate the advice.

Just wanted to check as I have seen so many people modding the ‘lite’ online Adding homemade fins to agitate etc. nobody seems to do that with the larger version.

Cheers

 

[wytonpjs]

I’m running an import FA Lite and rarely tumble more than 70 odd cartridges, frequently only batches of 50. I haven’t messed about with the drum and the cases come out clean enough for me

Yes it’s noisy, but mine’s in the garage and once it’s set running, I leave it for a couple of hours whilst I get on with other jobs. Do as @finnbear270 says and make sure the lid is screwed on tight - I’m sure all users have got that wrong at least once

 

[DamaDaz]

Yes it’s noisy, but mine’s in the garage and once it’s set running, I leave it for a couple of hours whilst I get on with other jobs. Do as @finnbear270 says and make sure the lid is screwed on tight - I’m sure all users have got that wrong at least once

Cheers the noise won’t bother me either as mine will be in the garage. I think I perhaps incorrectly assumed that the lack of rubber in the lite version was what was causing quite a few folk to ‘mod’ theirs with agitators due to lack of grip to move the brass. As apposed to slipping on a more smooth internal surface.

Good to hear there are people on this forum though that don’t experience the issue that I am seeing online. I guess you only hear the negative stuff right

 

[pablo.222]

With my Lite version i cut a piece of blue alk pipe just smaller that length of the tub, helps with movement.
I do feel sometimes they just all sit on the bottom and dont really tumble. I find this helped alot.

 

[wytonpjs]

Cheers the noise won’t bother me either as mine will be in the garage. I think I perhaps incorrectly assumed that the lack of rubber in the lite version was what was causing quite a few folk to ‘mod’ theirs with agitators due to lack of grip to move the brass. As apposed to slipping on a more smooth internal surface.

Good to hear there are people on this forum though that don’t experience the issue that I am seeing online. I guess you only hear the negative stuff right

Having done a cat staring at the washing machine more than once, yes they do appear to slide a lot but it doesn’t seem to make much difference judging by the blackness of the water and the cleanness of the cases. If they don’t appear clean enough on inspection, I leave them a little longer - simples. Increasingly the agitation will I think only really aid to shorten the tumbling time and, as I said, that’s not really a factor for me. What I think is more important are the stainless steel tumbling pins used and the “mix” - I overdid my “dash” of lemon juice on my last batch of .270 cases and they came out looking more like a topical American buffoon

 

[DamaDaz]

With my Lite version i cut a piece of blue alk pipe just smaller that length of the tub, helps with movement.
I do feel sometimes they just all sit on the bottom and dont really tumble. I find this helped alot.

Hey Pablo,

Yes this exactly the type of thing I was referring to. Would you say that without your mod, the tumbler may not clean as expected?

 

[DamaDaz]

Having done a cat staring at the washing machine more than once, yes they do appear to slide a lot but it doesn’t seem to make much difference judging by the blackness of the water and the cleanness of the cases. If they don’t appear clean enough on inspection, I leave them a little longer - simples. Increasingly the agitation will I think only really aid to shorten the tumbling time and, as I said, that’s not really a factor for me. What I think is more important are the stainless steel tumbling pins used and the “mix” - I overdid my “dash” of lemon juice on my last batch of .270 cases and they came out looking more like a topical American buffoon

Good to hear the brass still cleans regardless. I too would use pins in a bid to get the inside of the cases and primer pockets clean

 

[Moose67]

I find stainless ‘chips’ work better than pins - harder to lose too

 

[DamaDaz]

I find stainless ‘chips’ work better than pins - harder to lose too

That’s interesting, not thought about different stainless media

 

[finnbear270]

Tiny ball bearing shaped.
Can be time consuming unsticking odd primer pockets, but you won't get anything to clean inside to new like they do.

 

[DamaDaz]

Tiny ball bearing shaped.
Can be time consuming unsticking odd primer pockets, but you won't get anything to clean inside to new like they do.

That’s really useful to know. Thank you. Only really heard of pins but now chips and balls. Really useful thank you

 

[JTO]

The larger model has a timer. the Lite model appears to just have an on/off switch.

 

[wytonpjs]

The larger model has a timer. the Lite model appears to just have an on/off switch.

Not a problem - start, walk away, get on with jobs, check periodically. You are most unlikely to forget and leave it running because it makes such a racket

 

[JTO]

Not a problem - start, walk away, get on with jobs, check periodically.

I go out and leave it running. Not one for housework!

 

[pablo.222]

Hey Pablo,

Yes this exactly the type of thing I was referring to. Would you say that without your mod, the tumbler may not clean as expected?

No the cases still come out clean. Ive a mixture or media (ball bearings and pins). Alot better than other methods.
It probably make sno difference with the mod. I just though it gave a better action.