Cement Mixer Brass Tumbler

Cement Mixer Brass Tumbler

Cement Mixer Brass TumblerI got into reloading for cost savings, but I stay involved to ensure that I can still shoot in ammo shortages – it’s not necessarily enjoyable to me as a hobby, so I try to keep my reloading as cheap and efficient as I can.

Cleaning an polishing brass is one area that takes a large amount of time, yet lends itself to experimentation.

I find that I can get walnut media in bulk, cheaply at harbor freight – it is used in abrasive blasters. I cleans really good, even if it does not polish as well as corncob media.

I have several small vibratory cleaners, and they work well, but when I am cleaning range brass, or 5 gallon buckets of once fired brass from classes – I spend way too much time sorting media from brass and loading and unloading the machine.

Cement Mixer Brass Tumbler
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I recently bought an inexpensive harbor freight mixer for some cement projects and while doing internet research stumbled on the idea of using a cement mixer as a tumbler…

After thinking about it, I realized that it was a great idea.

Some forums like arfcom have full threads about this, and after lurking on several I find that many recommend installing the mixer without the internal paddles, and that many spray the inside of the barrel with a rubber coating to decrease the sound.

Many also fit a lid made out of plywood or even a pizza pan so that they reduce lead dust.

I am going to leave mine in the original configuration, because I will use it as a cement mixer more often that I will as a tumbler.

I do find it does a good job, and since I can do a bucket at a time, it saves a lot of work.

The only thing I recommend is to sort brass before you tumble, as 9mm can get stuck in 40 cases and that is big pita…

How to Make Improvised Lock Nuts

 

Improvised Lock Nuts
Improvised Lock Nuts

I would not recommend using improvised lock nuts in any life safety application.  However, there are times when a nut may vibrate loose but you are in a position where you can’t get to the store.

The solenoid I installed while Converting a generator to electric start was just such a problem.  I needed to finish before the wife got home and could not waste another hour in a round trip to the store.

Additionally, I couldn’t have any more hardware store charges on the debit card that day.  I was already dipping into the joint account for YouTube projects that did not have prior spousal approval.

What I did was tighten down nuts mounting the solenoid.  Next I wrapped a couple turns of teflon tape to the bolt.  Then I screwed another nut over the tape.

The teflon tape acts like the nylon ring inside of a real lock nut.  Having two nuts also helps with reducing loosening from vibration.

Yes, it is an improvised solution.  No it it not as good as a store-bought solution.  However, it does work, and I am pleased with it for this use.  Especially as my wife is happy the generator can now be started without a lot of struggle.

How to Improvise a Hydraulic Line End Cap

 

Improvised Hydraulic Line End Cap
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In working on the backhoe I had to keep removing lines and valves.  Unfortunately I had no idea how long the hydraulic shop would take.  I was working with a good, fast, cheap, pick any two mechanic and I choose good and cheap.  Therefore, I had no idea how log the hose lines would be disconnected.

Old tractors use non-detergent oil for hydraulics and that means water in the system causes havok.  I needed a plug but out in the middle of the woods I had to make an improvised end cap.

To make my hydraulic line cap I tried to fit the fingers of thick latex gloves over the lines and tie them in place.

This worked very well for the non-pressurized lines, but on the cylinders under pressure, the back pressure blew my finger caps up like balloons.  Some even popped over time.

If you are going to do this, I would recommend putting the hydraulic cylinders in a non-pressurized position, for a backhoe, that means resting on the ground.  Luckily I also taped the hoses into groups and places the ends of the individual groups inside ziploc bags and taped the bags shut around the line ends, so even the improvised caps that failed did not get water in the line.

Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them

Book Review: Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them
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The traditional American devices contained in this intriguing compilation date from an era long before milking machines, pesticide sprayers, and industrial hay bailers.

Yet the simple inventions described for doing everything from managing young bulls to protecting drain outlets can be just as useful for today’s farmer as they were for the homesteaders of over a century ago.

Discover how to make such items as a movable nest for hens, a ribless boat, a contraption to extricate a mired animal, a farm cart with adjustable racks for larger loads, a wire fence tightener, a fruit picker, a grindstone set and frame, and much more.

Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them is a boon for the rancher, farmer, or anyone who loves the rural life.  I like using this book to do research on homestead solutions from the past.  I then use this information and combine it with modern techniques and materials to create something even better.

This is a pretty great book, the fence tightener works with electric fence, and the movable chicken coop is something I really need to make.

Nowdays a single plan for one of the things in this book can cost more than the entire document.  Its well worth the price.