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          Cleaning brass cases in rotary tumblers

          Cleaning brass cases in rotary tumblers
           Tomáš Prachař  Tomáš Prachař
          Tomáš Prachař 
          19.01.2025
          Test of the Lyman Cyclone Rotary Tumbler set for wet cleaning brass cases.

          After smoke started rising from my old ultrasonic cleaner during its cycle, I decided to replace it with a so-called "tumbler."

          A rotary tumbler belongs to the category of wet cleaning methods for fired brass cases as part of their preparation for reloading. Its operation is fundamentally straightforward. The tumbler’s base houses an electric motor that drives a pair of rollers on its surface, rotating at a specific speed. A large, sealable plastic drum is placed on these rollers. The drum is filled with brass cases, cleaning media—typically small stainless steel pins a few millimeters in length—water, and optionally additional polishing, degreasing, or cleaning agents. When the device is switched on, the rollers rotate the drum, causing its contents to tumble and rub against one another. This process scrapes away carbon fouling and deposits, dissolving them into the water. After the designated cleaning time, the dirty water is drained from the drum, the pins are separated, and the brass cases are rinsed with clean water. Once dried, the cases are ready for reloading.


          The Pros and Cons of Tumblers

          The primary advantage of this cleaning method is its exceptional efficiency. Even the most hard-to-reach parts of a brass case, including the tightest necks, primer pockets, and flash holes, are thoroughly cleaned. The stainless steel pins reliably penetrate every corner, scraping out fouling and residue—even from stamped markings! Tumblers typically offer a large capacity, allowing you to clean several hundred or even thousands of cases in one session. They are user-friendly, have remarkable durability, and come with low operating costs. Although the stainless steel media wears out over time, it can process tens or even hundreds of thousands of cases before needing replacement. The downsides include the relatively high purchase cost, larger size, and noise during operation. Generally speaking, if you reload large volumes of brass cases and demand the highest cleaning standards, a tumbler is an ideal choice.
          Several models are available on the market. The top-tier options include the Lyman Cyclone Rotary Tumbler (9,621 CZK) and the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner (8,452 CZK). There’s also the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler Kit for 7,302 CZK, though its lower price comes at the expense of reduced capacity and less robust construction. A smaller, stripped-down version, the FA Lite, as well as Chinese knock-offs, are also available but are of a different quality class. While not all are inherently bad, they do belong to a lower tier of craftsmanship. In this test, we will take a closer look at the first option mentioned—the Lyman model from a reputable manufacturer—which I chose to replace my previously mentioned, now-deceased ultrasonic cleaner.

          Title photo: Lyman Cyclone Rotary Tumbler

          Large Capacity

          Inside the large cardboard box, in addition to the tumbler itself and the user manual, you will find a full batch of stainless steel pins weighing 2,700 g, a variety of power cables for all common outlets (including our local standard), and a pair of sorting trays for rinsing brass cases and separating them from the cleaning media. The first tray, with a coarse screen, holds the brass cases, while the second tray, with a finer mesh, catches the pins. The process is simple: run water over the trays until the runoff is clear, then shake them until all the pins are separated. This method works, but separating the pins completely can take quite a bit of time, and even after drying the brass, it may be worth repeating the process. If you want to significantly simplify this step, I recommend purchasing a rotary separator. The last item included in the package is a sample of cleaning solution. This solution is an additional medium that helps loosen carbon fouling and grease. You can opt for a solution designed specifically for cleaning brass cases, or you can substitute it with regular dishwashing liquid, such as Dawn or a similar product. From my experience, there is no noticeable difference in the cleanliness of brass cases cleaned with either option.
          The drum’s interior is lined with a layer of rubber, which reduces noise and protects the brass cases from damage. The only control on the device is a rotary knob on the front panel, which activates the rotation and allows you to set the duration of the cleaning cycle, after which the tumbler will shut off automatically. The maximum runtime is three hours.
          The drum’s capacity is very generous. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations to fill the drum to ½ capacity (2/3 maximum), it can hold approximately 6.5 kg of brass cases. For reference, this is roughly 1,700 9mm cases. The drum can also hold about 1,000 .223 Remington cases, and if necessary, it is capable of handling much larger cases, including massive 12.7x99 mm brass.
          The drum is easily loaded with brass cases, stainless steel media, water, and cleaning solution before being tightly sealed.


          The drum offers generous capacity, holding approximately 1,700 pcs 9mm cases or 1,000 pcs .223 Remington cases.
          Dried brass cases after a 2.5-hour cleaning cycle. The cleaning is flawless both inside and out, including .223 Remington cases with narrow necks and .308 Winchester cases fired from a G3 rifle, which typically leaves them in an especially dirty state.
          Without additional noise dampening, the tumbler operates at 73 dB. It’s noticeable but still within an acceptable range for a few hours of use per month, even in an apartment. After cleaning, the brass is poured into a separator, allowing for rinsing and separation from the stainless steel media.

          Noisy but Effective

          Tumblers are generally not a quiet method for cleaning brass, and the Cyclone is no exception. Without additional noise dampening, its sound level reaches 73 dB. While this is noticeable, it remains within an acceptable range—even tolerable for a few hours once a month in an apartment. If you have a garage or workshop, the noise is hardly an issue and can be further mitigated by placing the device on a proper mat or surrounding it with cardboard. Competing models don’t fare much better; for example, the Frankford Arsenal tumbler produces a slightly lower noise level of 71 dB.Regarding optimal cleaning times, a 2-hour cycle cleans brass cases thoroughly, while a 3-hour cycle achieves a perfect result. The cleaning duration also depends on the type of brass. For 9x19 mm Luger cases, even a 1-hour cycle is sufficient, whereas longer cases like .223 Remington with narrow necks require more time. You can clean multiple calibers together, but some may have a tendency to nest inside each other, which reduces cleaning effectiveness. For instance, .44 Magnum cases tend to "swallow" 9x19 mm and .223 Rem cases. This issue applies to all tumblers, and common caliber combinations like .308 Winchester, .223 Remington, 9x19 mm, and .357 Magnum work well together without any problems. Personally, I simplify the process by running all calibers through a 2.5-hour cycle together, except for .44 Magnum and .444 Marlin, which I clean separately. For even better aesthetic results, you can change the water halfway through the cycle. Additionally, you can experiment with polishing additives if you want your brass cases to achieve a mirror-like shine.



          Conclusion

          The tumbler is exceptionally robust. Everything about it is over-engineered, with no signs of cost-cutting or skimping on materials. It’s an honest piece of hardware that proudly reflects its origins from the 1980s. The same goes for the internal components: a massive motor, durable roller drives, and sturdy wiring. There’s little room for breakdowns or performance degradation due to regular use. Of course, nothing lasts forever. One day, the motor will wear out, and the drum’s lining and seals will deteriorate, but I’d wager that will take decades. Unlike cheap knock-offs or much of the competition, the Cyclone is built to last, and in my opinion, this fully justifies its higher price. The only technical issue worth mentioning is the drum closure system. If you don’t tighten the lid properly with enough force or accidentally pinch the seal, water may leak out during the cycle. It requires a bit of finesse. Otherwise, there’s really nothing to complain about. Yes, the Cyclone is noisy, but that can be said about all available tumblers. It performs exactly as it should, is user-friendly, and the quality of brass cleaning it delivers can be described in one word: outstanding.

          Advantages/Disadvantages

          + Highly effective cleaning method

          + Practically indestructible and easy-to-use machine

          + High capacity

          - High price

          - (Relatively) noisy

           

          You can purchase the Lyman rotary tumbler at STROBL.CZ s.r.o.. For more information, visit strobl.cz or the manufacturer’s website at lymanproducts.com.


          Photo sources: Author’s archive, manufacturer materials – lymanproducts.com

          Author: Tomáš Prachař

          This article originally appeared in the magazine Lovec by Extra Publishing.

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