When I turned on the unit, it was no louder than my 1292. It also holds the same number of 9mm cases.

I added some walnut media (lizard bedding) and noticed that despite looking smaller, the HF held the same amount of media. The wing nut and stud on top of the unit is metric not SAE. The power cord is heavier and stiffer, and I noticed the bottom of the base has a screen to allow air flow into the HF tumbler while the 1292 is solid sheet metal. The bowl lid seals much tighter than the 1292, but the opening and bowl appear to be just a hair smaller. While similar to the 1292, the HF machine is taller, and heavier. Since I was going to be punishing this thing, I decided to buy the 27 month extended warranty making the total cost $59.99 + tax (all told about the same as the regular priced FA with shipping). I really don’t like the look of the FA tumbler anyway. Today it was on sale for $49.99, (regular $99.99 if you believe that) a little steeper than the usual $39.99, but less than the $51.99 + S&H for the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler (the FA tumbler is actually on sale right now for 39.99+ S&H, but I didn’t want to wait the extra week or more, and face the wrath of the SWMBO about ordering something without telling her).

While browsing my local China Depot (Harbor Freight) I noticed their 5 lb Chicago Electric tumbler was remarkably similar in appearance to my 1292, so I decided to give it a try. The old Midway machine was my dad’s before me and as a result of the range brass has been pulling long hours almost nonstop. Since I have been picking up a lot of range brass recently, I was concerned about the health and longevity of my Midway 1292 vibratory tumbler.

Midway 1292 tumbler manual