Hands-On: New RCBS Vibratory Case Polisher

Cleaning cases is where the ammunition reloading process starts. Cleaning, sorting, and final brass prep are critical activities if you want great results with your ammunition. However fundamental these processes are, they are seldom characterized as the “fun part” of reloading- more like chores to get to the more satisfying activities. Having the right tools can help minimize the work and hassle required to get your brass ready for reloading. In this post, I’ll give you an up-close look at one such tool: the new Vibratory Case Polisher #87060 from RCBS. I’m ready to open up this box and see what’s inside!

In the following video, I’ll do a quick unboxing, get the RCBS Vibratory Case Polisher setup, and clean up some .308 Winchester cases I recently accumulated during a machine gun shoot!

Just Add Media

The RCBS Vibratory Case Polisher comes with everything you’ll need to clean your cases- you’ll just need to add media. Here’s what’s in the box:

Here’s what’s pictured above:

  1. Case polisher unit with removable power cord and solid lid (for cleaning) attached.
  2. Sifting lid: takes place of solid lid for media separation.
  3. Instruction manual, available online here.

Now that I’ve used the sifting lid, I’m pretty sure my media separators (rotary basket type) will see *much* less use- it’s one less step and one less piece of equipment to deal with- I like that. This is also where the removable cord helps- just unplug before shaking out the media and you don’t have to worry about the cord dangling. That’s nice! I also like the fact that you can easily replace the cord- it’s the type a lot of electronics (printers, desktop computers, etc) use. Sweet.

I was pretty surprised at how quiet this unit is when I turned it on (see video above). Everything worked great with this unit: it stayed put on the bench while cleaning the .308 cases, and the wing nut stayed put during that process as well. Nice. I could use two of these units- for simultaneous cleaning of different case types, or perhaps to use walnut shells in one and corncob in the other, at the same time.

Let’s Talk Specs

The Vibratory Case Polisher #87060 from RCBS is a medium sized vibratory case polisher with a healthy capacity. Here’s the basic specs and details:

  • Quiet motor (I can vouch for this!)
  • Aggressive vibrating action (performed great with .308 over 30 minute cleaning time)
  • 14-pound capacity
  • Limited Two Year Warranty

So you may be wondering: how many cases can you clean in this unit? That’s a function of the density of the media, the brass you’re cleaning, and how full the unit is filled. The instructions for this case polisher specify filling the bowl 1/2 full. Using the “medium” grit ground walnut shells I used as reference, we have the following:

  • Capacity: 14 lb
  • 1/2 bowl ground walnut shells: 5.5 lb
  • 8.5 lb capacity for brass

For the following popular cartridges, that translates to the following capacities for a cleaning session:

Cartridge Cases/lb Total Capacity for 87060
9mm 110 935
45 ACP 80 680
.223 75 638
30-06 35 298

That gives you a rough idea how many cases you can clean at a time retaining optimal cleaning action and without overloading the polisher. These numbers are consistent with the .308 Winchester cleaning session I showed in the video:

Concluding Thoughts

The Vibratory Case Polisher #87060 from RCBS is by far the nicest case polisher I’ve ever owned. The fit and finish is great, it’s quiet, it is quite effective in cleaning brass, and has the dual function of being a separator as well. I like it!

Do you have this case polisher? I’d be curious to hear your experiences!

Thanks,
Gavin

3 thoughts on “Hands-On: New RCBS Vibratory Case Polisher”

  1. That’s good capacity and quiet to boot. Very nice. Most folks will stick with their media separators ‘though, they just do too good a job versus shaking the tumbler.

    Informative, clear vid also, with the exception of not being able to see the vibratory action of the tumber with the lid off, but I suppose if it does clean the cases in 30 minutes then it must have good action.

  2. Yet another informative video. I had a Hornady cleaner very similar to the RCBS one. The improvements on the RCBS are the On/Off switch and the removable cord, nice improvements. That cleaner served me for years, then I discovered wet tumbling, so the vibratory cleaner went to a friend who was just starting in re-loading.

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