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SIDEWINDER
CASE TUMBLER
Safety and Operating Instructions
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read all instructions
Reloading is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that is easily conducted with safety. But carelessness or
negligence can make reloading hazardous. This product has been designed from the beginning with the user’s
safety in mind.
As with any reloading operation, some safety rules must be followed. By observing these few rules, the
chance of a hazardous occurrence causing damage or injury becomes extremely remote.
GENERAL
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Use the reloading equipment as the manufacturer recommends. Study the instructions carefully and
become thoroughly familiar with the operation of the tool. Don’t take short cuts.
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Observe “good housekeeping” in the reloading area. Keep tools and components neat, clean and
orderly. Promptly and completely clean up primer and powder spills.
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Reload only when you can give your undivided attention. Do not reload when fatigued or ill. Develop a
reloading routine to avoid mistakes. Avoid haste – load at a leisurely pace.
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Always wear adequate eye protection. You assume unnecessary risk when reloading without wearing
safety glasses.
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Do not use any chemicals other than those specifically recommended for cartridge case cleaning.
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Do not attempt to salvage badly corroded cases which might be structurally weakened.
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Do not attempt to clean loaded ammunition. To do so could result in cartridge detonation causing
serious personal injury.
ELECTRICAL
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Avoid electrical shock. Electricity can cause serious personal injury or death.
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This product is equipped with a three-wire, “U” ground cord; plug only into a properly grounded outlet.
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Do not work on wet floors.
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Locate all electrical cords away from moisture, rain and moving parts.
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Periodically check all cords for worn/frayed spots. Replacement of cord should only be done by RCBS
Customer Service Department.
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This unit utilizes the plug as the electrical disconnect device.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Motor rating for 120 VAC unit:
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120 VAC
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60 Hz
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.50 amps.
Motor rating for 240 VAC unit:
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240 VAC
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50 Hz
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.50 amps
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For shipments to the United Kingdom, the
unit is protected by a 3 amp fused plug.
OPERATOR
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Wear clothing that is not loose. Loose clothing can be drawn into machinery.
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Keep your hands and fingers away from moving parts where they might be injured.
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Keep children and visitors away from machinery.
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Take off loose jewelry before using machines. Be sure that all moving parts are shielded and all guards
are in place before operating any equipment.
RECORD KEEPING
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Keep complete records of reloads. Apply a descriptive label to each box showing the date produced,
and the primer, powder and bullet used. Labels for this purpose are packed with SPEER bullets.
Since RCBS has no control over the choice of components, the manner in which they are assembled, the
use of the product or the guns in which the resulting ammunition may be used, no responsibility, either
expressed or implied, is assumed for the use of ammunition reloaded with this product.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The RCBS Sidewinder Case Tumbler represents the state-of-the-art in mechanical cartridge case
cleaning. The angled, tapered, hexagonal drum with internal ribs provides a superior tumbling action,
circulating the cases forward, around, and under the rotating mass. The angled design allows the use of our
highly efficient liquid cleaner without leaking.
The unit incorporates several unique design features to insure long life with a minimum of maintenance
including:
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Improved self-aligning rear bearings with large surface area for uniform loading and long life.
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Industrial grade timing belt drive system for positive drive and no slippage.
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Low tension drive system for maximum bearing life.
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Twelve-hour timer, adjustable from 1-12 hours with automatic shut-off. A “hold” position is provided for
continuous running.
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Elastomer feet – resilient to cushion and dampen sounds while providing minimum slippage.
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Polyurethane drum – one of the most wear and chemical resistant man-made polymers.
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Two covers – a solid one to retain dry media and liquid spills – a perforated one to strain out the media.
SET UP
After unpacking your case tumbler, take a minute to review these instructions and familiarize yourself with
the various parts of the tumbler.
Set the unit on a solid, level surface to operate.
Prior to running the unit, put a drop of any medium weight oil on each of the bearings; repeat oiling
approximately each 20 hours of operation.
This motor is a long-life, thermally protected unit especially designed for this application. A thermally
protected motor will stop if overloaded – it will restart when it cools. If the motor stops, turn off the power and
determine the cause of the overload and correct it before restarting. Remember, the 240 V AC unit utilizes the
plug as the power disconnect device. This motor is designed to run at elevated temperatures (up to 100°F . over
room temperature) and will be hot to the touch when running properly . The safe operating temperature for this
unit is between 20°F and 120°F.
CLEANING MEDIA
RCBS offers both liquid and dry media for cleaning brass cases because each has distinctive advantages.
Some of them are:
LIQUID MEDIA:
ADVANTAGES
• Speed – cleans in minutes, not hours.
• Aggressiveness – will clean the most
badly soiled cases in the minimum length
of time.
• Easy clean up – just drain, flush and dry.
DISADVANTAGES
• Must rinse cases immediately to prevent
staining.
• Need access to an oven to dry cases
quickly.
• Must wait for cases to dry before using.
DRY MEDIA:
ADVANTAGES
• Ease of handling and storage.
• Less chance of damage due to spillage.
DISADVANTAGES
• Significantly slower cycle time.
• Will not clean badly stained cases in any
reasonable length of time.
• Requires shaker box to separate media
from cases.
• Each case and/or primer pocket must be
checked and cleared of media particles.
WARNING
To avoid injury , do not make any adjustments or repairs to the electrical system of the Sidewinder
Case Tumbler. Contact the RCBS Customer Service Department for any adjustments or repairs.
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MEDIA PREPARATION
A bottle of concentrated liquid case cleaner is provided with each Sidewinder . This compound, a combination
of sodium salts and acids, is a high speed, aggressive agent especially useful on badly stained or soiled brass.
PRECAUTIONS FOR RCBS LIQUID CASE CLEANER
Hazard – May cause skin and eye irritation.
Treatment – Move to fresh air . If swallowed, induce vomiting and call a physician. If in contact
with the skin and eyes, flush with water.
Use rubber or plastic gloves when handling. Work in a well-ventilated area. Store all liquid in
the original factory container. This case cleaner may corrode metal containers or caps.
TO USE: Mix two to four ounces of concentrate with one gallon of water. Load cases into drum. Add diluted
solution. (Note: Level of liquid should not be above lower edge of the mouth of the drum when it is in position on
base.)
Fit the solid cap and mount the drum on the base before starting.
Run two hours or as long as needed to clean the cases. Turn the unit off, and put on the strainer cap.
Immediately drain off solution. This diluted solution is harmless to all standard sewer systems and may be
disposed of by pouring down any drain.
Flush the drum and cleaned cases under running water to completely remove all traces of liquid cleaner.
Leaving cleaning solution on cases will only result in surface stains which can easily be removed by retumbling
for a few minutes and then flushing. Spread cases on a metal sheet in an oven and heat to 200°F until all are
dry. Another method is to spread the cases on a towel and allow to dry overnight or until dry.
CAUTION: T emperatures over 225°F will discolor cases. T emperatures over 400°F can greatly weaken cases.
Complete drying of cases is absolutely necessary prior to reloading or misfires may be encountered.
Also available from RCBS are two dry media cleaners. The RCBS Formula 1 Walnut Shell Dry Media is made
from reusable walnut shells ground to a 12/20 sieve size and coated with two special cleaning oxides. It is
packaged 5 lbs/box. The RCBS Formula 2 Corn Cob Dry Media is made from ground corn cobs combined with
a chromium oxide cleaner and polisher. It is packaged 4 lbs/box.
The following instructions are for use with either the Formula 1 or Formula 2 Dry Media Case Cleaners.
Load your cases (approximately 100 .30-06, or 300 .38 Special or equivalent) and cover with media. The best
ratio of brass and media will be determined by you as you use the unit. Start with approximately equal volumes
of each and adjust as experience dictates.
Fit the cap and mount the drum on the base before starting.
Run time will be determined by the condition of the cases and the degree of cleanliness desired.
Shake out: Y ou may want to build a screen-bottomed shake out box to aid in separating your brass from the
dry media.
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SIDEWINDER REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST
PART NO. DESCRIPTION
87050 Drum Assembly
87013 Drum Lid
87014 Drum Lid Drainer
87015 Liquid Media
87067 Formula 1 Walnut Shell Media
87068 Formula 2 Corn Cob Media
PLASTIC AMMO BOXES FROM RCBS
Flush Exterior
Capacity
50 Cartridges
Interlocking Tabs
for Easy Stacking
One-Piece
Hinge
Label Provided
Empty Case
Support
Recessed Latch
for Identifying Contents
Anti-Rattle
Design
How can anyone improve on something as basic as a plastic box?
We figured out about eight ways and included them in five different
sized ammo boxes. RCBS plastic ammo boxes offer unique
features that make all others obsolete. Great for securely packing,
storing, carrying and dispensing most popular rifle or pistol cartridges. See your local gun dealer for these and other reloading
accessories available from RCBS.
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PRECISIONEERED® RELOADING EQUIPMENT
We think that we make the very best
reloading equipment in the world.
If you disagree, tell us - we want to do something about it!
If you agree, please tell your friends.
Customer Service
1-800-533-5000
(US or Canada) or
530-533-5191
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 6:30am - 3:00pm (hours may vary)
e-mail: rcbs.tech@atk.com • www.rcbs.com
RCBS • 605 Oro Dam Blvd. • Oroville, CA 95965
OUTERS • RAMLINE • ORBEX • FEDERAL
CCI • SPEER • RCBS
200525/0204
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