Cleaning brass casing is one of the major steps which needs to be performed before finally reloading your casings. Cleaning will ensure that brass casings are accurate after reloading them. This can be done with machines like brass tumblers. It’s a machine that can effectively and automatically provide amazing cleaning and polishing to your brass casings. It will save a lot of your time and for sure will more effective cleaning than hand. Although there are many brands in the market that make brass tumblers. It’s very important to choose the best one. Therefore, we have created a list of the best brass tumbler for the money. These are the best seller tumblers on which you can completely rely and that too at a very reasonable cost. In the FAQ section, we have discussed what are the factors you should look at before buying a case tumbler.
Best Brass Tumbler For The Money-Quick Look
Categories | Best Seller Brass Tumbler | Best Budget Brass Tumbler | VIP Pick Brass Tumbler |
|---|---|---|---|
Items | Frankford Arsenal Tumbler | Frankford Arsenal quick N-EZ tumbler | Extreme rebel 17 Tumbler |
Type | Rotary Tumbler | Vibratory Tumbler | Rotary Tumbler |
Capacity | 1,000 cases of .223 brass | 600 9mm or 350 .223 cases | 1000 pieces of 223 brass |
Price |
Best Brass Tumbler For The Money-Detailed Look
Best-seller brass tumbler
1.Frankford Arsenal Platinum brass tumbler
Key Features
- Type-Rotary tumbler
- Unique bowl design
- Increase brass agitation for cleaning
- reduced wear on reloading dies
- Clean lid
- ON/OFF switch
- Removes fouling, lube, oxidation quickly
- holds 600 9mm or 350 .223 cases
- 110 Volts with 13.25 Liter Drum
Frankford rotary tumbler is one of the best seller and people’s choice tumbler. Before final reloading, both cleaning and polishing can be done effectively with this tumbler. The tumbler has a very convenient bowl design.
This design gives a boost to the agitation process and thus promotes aggressive cleaning which provides thorough deep cleaning. Due to super-fast cleaning, the load on reloading dies decreases which extend the life of the brass. You can anytime watch the progress of the cleaning process due to the transparent clear lid. This tumbler features a cord mount ON/OFF switch that increases safety.
The fouling, lube, and oxidation can quickly be removed with the tumbler. The capacity of this tumbler is 7 liter which can hold provide the space for around 600 9mm or 350 .223 cases. This tumbler works on 110 volts of electricity. This tumbler is widely used due to its stability and durability.
The belt inside the tumbler is maintenance-free and doesn’t require frequent repairs. This tumbler comes with a timer can cleaning process can be automated for 3 hours with a timer. This tumbler doesn’t require stainless steel pins for cleaning. Due to its dual-layer drum which noise dampening rubber lining, there noise made by this tumbler is almost null.
Best brass tumbler for the money
2.Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ 110V brass tumbler
Key Features
- Type-vibratory tumbler
- Unique bowl design
- Increase brass agitation for cleaning
- reduceds wear on reloading dies
- Clean lid
- ON/OFF switch
- Removes fouling, lube, oxidation quickly
- holds 600 9mm or 350 .223 cases
- 110 Volts with 13.25 Liter Drum
Another amazing tumbler by Frankford arsenal is quick-N-EZ 110V Vibratory Case Tumbler. No doubt, this number is the best brass tumbler for the money. This tumbler is in high demand among reloaders who are on a tight budget.
Due to its motorized mechanism, the casings will be brand new after the cleaning. This tumbler features a bowl where you can pour media and cases.2/3 of the bowl can be filled with media along with cases. The capacity of this tumbler is 600 casings of 9mm and 350 casings of .223 cases.
You will get complete shiny cases within 3 hours. The cord features an ON/OFF switch which ensures safety. Due to this feature, you dont need to remove the plugin in order to turn off the machine and the switch can be used. With the help of arsenal walnut hull or corn cob media, fouling, lube, and oxidation can be easily removed.
The capacity of the drum is 13.25 liter which works with 110 volts of electricity. You can examine the process of cleaning with the help of a transparent lid. The lid also keeps the media inside the bowl. As the price is low you need to compromise with the durability because it is made up of plastic. The tumbler has a very classy and attractive black color.
3.Hornady M-1 brass Tumbler (110V) #050202
Key features
- Type: vibratory tumbler
- Compact Size
- Beginners friendly
- 400 units of 0.38 cases
- Requires 110 volts
- Cleans brass to look like new
- Helps maintain the quality of your dies
- Gives results in just 4 hours
The size of this case tumbler is very compact as compared to other case tumblers. The case tumbler is beginners friendly and anyone can use it easily after some trial and error. The capacity of this tumbler is 400 units of .38 cases which can be added along with the media. Due to its cyclonic movement, all the casings are perfectly cleaned inside out.
The capacity of the bowl is 3.31L which is not that big as compared to other case tumblers. It is a very easy and convenient process to change the media with the help of a media sifter which is included. Due to the fast media sifter, it is perfect for those who clean a large number of casings at one time.
The machine required 110 volts of electricity. This tumbler produces dust as it is a dry tumbler but the dust doesn’t come out due to the airtight lid. Cleaning will be top-notch due to its vibratory as well as cyclonic motion. Due to its durable build material and strong base, most vibrations get absorbed and which will increase the usage time of the unit.
Also, to reduce the vibrations use a rubber mat that will absorb all the vibrations. Try not to overload the tumbler otherwise, the vibrations might amplify. Due to this, the run time will decrease significantly. The switch is attached to the power cord.
4.Lyman Pro 1200 Tumbler (115-Volt)
Key Features
- Type-Vibratory tumbler
- 115 Volt required
- Built-in sifter lid
- Quick and easy media separation
- Cleans up to 350 cases per cycle
- Holds 2 pounds of media
- Lyman’s best selling tumbler
If you are looking for a quiet tumbler then Lyman pro tumbler is best for you. The tumbler has a very convenient and effective cleaning process. The media is completely separated from brass which makes the loading process very convenient.
The Lyman pro tumbler holds 2 pounds of media which can be used to clean up to 350 cases in one cycle and works on a 115-volt battery. The sifter led allows fast media separation. This tumbler will save your money as the sifter is built in. One drawback of this tumbler is that media might get out of the bowl due to the vibration.
Another drawback of the tumbler is that it lacks an ON/OFF button. Therefore, to turn the tumbler OFF you need to remove the plug directly. Repeated plugging and unplugging might be frustrating for you. If the cases are of small-caliber more amounts can be cleaned at once.
There is no heating issue as the machine supports a drive system for releasing extra heat. The lifespan of this tumbler is very long due to its durable material. This tumbler is one of the best brass tumbler for the money with premium features.
VIP grade brass tumbler
5.Extreme Tumblers Rebel 17 Ammo Brass Reloading Tumbler
Key Features
- Type-Rotary tumbler
- Mild powder-coated steel
- Color:black
- Capacity:1 gallons
- Load of up to 17 pounds
- Thick rubber liner
- Heavy Duty Metal design for durability
Extreme reloading tumbler is one of the latest model for case cleaning. In the heavy-duty category, it is one of the best tumbler. This tumbler combines heavy-duty material with top-notch performance which provides effective cleaning.
If you want quiet cleaning then extreme reloading tumbler is another great choice for you. For cleaning and polishing purposes only stainless steel media can be used with this tumbler. The tumbler features a thick rubber-lined drum on which media and cases can be placed.
This machine also features the best quality drive belt and smooth ball bearing. You can clean hundreds of cases in one cycle as it can take a load of 17 pounds. All the instructions are written in a manual which makes it beginner-friendly.
Make sure you read the manual properly before using it to understand what to do and what not to do. This tumbler will be going to be a long-term investment due to its long lifespan.
Value for money deal
6.Lyman 7631550 Cyclone Rotary Tumbler 115V
Key Features
- Type-Rotary tumbler
- Includes media sifter
- Includes 5lbs of stainless steel media
- Holds 1000 pieces of 223 brass
- Features rubber lining
- Reduced noise and protect brass
- Built-in timer
This is one of the best case tumblers as you will variety of accessories along with it. You will a media sifter and also 5 pounds of stainless steel tumbling media which is amazing and can be a very cost-efficient choice. The media sifter will keep the media pan and brass casings separate after they come out from the rotary tumbling process.
This two-pan system is really advantageous and will save your time. This brass tumbler has the capacity to hold 1000 pieces of .223 brass. The machine produces very little noise due to its rubber lining which will also keep your tumbler protected. This tumbler is equipped with a built-in timer.
With the help of a timer, the cleaning process can automatically be terminated after 3 hours of the process. Stainless steel media is one of the best brass cleaning media and it will provide brilliant shine and polish to your casings. Make sure you use water and cleaning liquid with the media.
Loading and unloading are super smooth due to the large end cap present on the drum. This tumbler is also equipped with a power belt-driven electric motor. This brass tumbler provides complete care to your valuable brass casings.
7.Hornady Rotary Brass tumbler
Key Features
- Type-Rotary action tumbler
- Stainless steel media included
- Designed to clean a large amount
- 6-liter rubber-lined drum
- For use with the One-Shot Cartridge Case
- Holds 5 pounds of brass cases
- Built-in digital timer
- Boasted accuracy
Hornady has always been one of the most trusted brand when it comes to reloading equipment and manuals. This wet tumbler will give you brilliant shiny polished cases after cleaning due to its rotary action and stainless steel pin tumbling media which is included with the machine.
The speed of cleaning cases with this tumbler is better than other tumblers. You can clean a great amount of cases due to its six-quart rubber-lined drum. There is no chance of water entry inside the cleaner due to its seal tight lid. The capacity of this tumbler is 6-liter which has a holding capacity of 5 pounds of brass cartridge casings.
Since the tumber is a wet tumber, it makes use of detergent and water. This case tumbler works best with one shot cartridge case solution to keep your cartridges look shiny and new. The polishing of this tumbler is brilliant due to steel pin tumbling media.
This tumbler is equipped with a timer that can run for up to 8 hours in 30-minute increments. The cleaned cases will help you in increasing your accuracy and efficiency. Make sure you read the full instruction manual in order to understand the procedure. The overall look of this case tumbler is very attractive and will increase the charm of your reloading room.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best brass tumbler for the money?(My choice)
If you want to know what is the best brass tumbler according to then I will its “Frankford arsenal platinum brass tumbler“.It is the best seller brass tumbler that is available in the market. Due to its brilliant and strong build quality, it has a very long life, therefore, it’s going to be a long-term investment. It can clean your brass casings in the most effective way.
In case you are on a tight budget and looking for the best brass tumbler for the money then you can go with “frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ tumbler“.It’s the cheapest and best in the list. It is made up of unbreakable durable plastic. This tumbler is in high demand among reloaders who are on a tight budget.
If quality is the number priority for you then “extreme Tumblers Rebel 17 tumbler” is the best choice. It’s a premium grade brass tumbler which is pretty common among reloaders. Its build quality is just extreme which makes it a heavy-duty machine. The tumbler makes use of only stainless steel media which is famous for providing top-notch cleaning and polishing.
Best brass tumbler media ?
Corn Cob
Corn cob is a perfect medium for polishing purposes as it a light media. You can use corn cob with both vibratory and rotary tumbler. Due to its polishing compound, it provides a sparking shiny finish to the casings. It’s a perfect media for polishing which can be used after treating brass casings with walnut shell media for best results.
Walnut Shell Media
Another amazing media for polishing purposes is walnut shell media. Walnut shells can either be purchased as treated or untreated. Untreated walnut shell media is perfect if you want to remove thick remnants and heavy tarnish.
The polishing effect of walnut shell media is much better than corn cob. Treated media includes polishing compounds as well. Polishing will be done along with cleaning, therefore, your time will be saved with treated media and If the brass is used several times for reloading then walnut shell media will give them a brand new look.
Vibrating tumblers make use of nutshell media. Although both rotary and vibratory tumblers support this media. Walnut shell media is a very effective media that will provide top-notch cleaning and polishing and make your casings shine like new.
Stainless Steel Pin
One of the most widely used brass cleaning media is stainless steel pins. Only rotary tumblers make use of stainless steel pins. It’s a wet media there it can only be used after pouring water and dish cleaner which will help in polishing the brass.
This media is a good option for cleaning the brass. It will clean the brass thoroughly inside out. As compared to other media, this media can speed up the cleaning process.
This media is 100% damage-free for your brass, unlike other media which might damage the casings. You can use this media several times while corn cob can be used only once and then you have to renew the media and discard the old one.
The stainless steel media require wet conditions to work. The only negative point of stainless steel media is that it’s relatively expensive but if you want perfect cleaning and polishing of your brass, this media is worth the money.
How to choose a reloading tumbler?
You can look at the factors giving below in order to decide which is the best reloading tumbler for you :-
Type of tumbler
The tumbler can either be rotary or vibratory in nature. Each type of tumbler comes with its own set of pros and cons. Vibrating tumbler is cost-effective as compared to rotatory tumblers. Either corn cob or walnut shells can be used with rotary tumblers when it comes to dry cleaning media. For well-cleaning agents, steel pins are the best option. If you think rotary tumblers are perfect for you then be ready to spend a little more bucks.
Capacity
One of the major factor that you should keep in mind while getting your tumbler is its capacity.If you clean casings once a month or less frequently then there is no need to purchase a tumber with more capacity. Tumblers can either hold 500 casings at one time or 1000 casings at a time. You need to make sure that the tumbler holds a considerable amount of casings along with cleaning media. Keep in mind that a tumbler with more capacity will cost more.
Durability
The lifespan of a brass tumbler largely depends upon the durability of the material. Brass tumblers can either be made up of refractory steel or plastic. Obviously, steel tumbler is expensive but it will be a long-term investment. Once you purchase a steel tumbler you can stop worrying about it for few years. Also,dont take plastic tumblers lightly. It has its own advantage. Plastic tumblers are best suited for beginners and those who have a tight budget. If you give it proper care and maintenance it will last long. You can refer to the user manual in order to understand the maintenance process.
Reliability
If you find any expensive model chances are it would be the best model but it’s your duty to personally check the quality and proper working of the product. Before buying a tumbler you need to make sure that the product is trustworthy and reliable. Before you finally get the product make sure that all its bolts and parts are in perfect condition. Take a demo of the product and see if it has any defects such as problems with machinery. One of the most important part of the tumbler is the wheel. Make sure the wheel is working at a regular and constant speed, it’s a sign of a good tumbler.
Budget
You need to also have a look at your budget before finalizing the product. Make sure you invest your money wisely. If you are still a beginner then make sure you spend wisely. Unbreakable plastic is perfect for those who are on a budget. It’s cheap and durable. You can go with “Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ tumbler“.It is one of the best brass tumbler for the money. It will provide you will all the features that a premium model will give. If you are a professional and can spend a little more then Lyman and Hornady will be a great choice for you.
What are the types of brass tumblers?
Rotary Tumbler
Rotary tumblers generally work best with steel media along with cleaning liquid for the cleaning process. Either dry or wet media can be used with this tumbler. If you want to use dry media then you can go with corncob or walnut shells.
The process of cleaning with rotary tumblers is a bit expensive due to the media used but the advantage of this method is that it instantly produces clean and polished casings due to small pins of stainless steel. The process is very effective and it will provide the casings with a new look within minutes.
Vibratory Tumbler
Vibratory tumblers have simple mechanisms. The cleaning process is done by vibrating casings along with media. It is also a great method for cleaning and that too at a great price. Only dry media such as corn cod and walnut shells can be used with this type of tumbler. If you choose a good quality vibratory tumbler it would do almost the same cleaning as rotary tumblers and at a much lesser cost.
How to clean brass casings by hand?
You can definitely clean the casings with the help of hands but obviously you won’t get a machine like proper cleaning. Check out our detailed guide on how to clean brass casings by hand.
Conclusion
Here we come at the end of the article “best brass tumbler for the money”.You should definitely get a brass tumbler as it will save your time and a good quality brass tumbler will be useful for many years. It will help you in cleaning a good amount of casings and all will happen with an automatic process. These are the most trusted and widely used brass tumblers with positive feedback from thousands of reloaders around the globe. I am sure you will not regret after buying one of the brass tumblers. If you have any doubt make sure to ask in the comments. Make sure you read other articles on hand reloading. Thanks for visiting leanoutdoor.com.
You neglected to include Thumler’s Tumblers Ultra vibe 10. I have been running one for 27 years and it is as quite and doing an excellet job just like the day it was new.
thanks for the input…we will definitely love to include it