Tippmann Paintball Ball Tumbler?

[ATBen]

I was chatting with a friend and he mentioned he was looking for a Tippmann Paintball Tumbler. I had no idea such a thing existed. Apparently it was sold to field owners and the public to keep your balls round.

Anyone have any info on these other than what's stated. The General Paintball Museum in Michigan is looking for one.

Thanks.

[Ecapnation]

This was very much a thing.... I recall a team mate in the 90's doing similar with a rock tumbler back in the day

[Jonnydread]

I remember seeing one of these wayyyy back in the day, but they weren't particularly common. I had a rock tumbler that I would use to tumble crappy Walmart paint the night before playing, not sure if it did anything, but it felt like S C I E N C E

[ATBen]

Now that I know "out-of-balace" paintballs are a thing I'm going to start using more S C I E N C E myself.

SUPER COOL INVENTIONS ENCOURAGE NEW COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES

[Pyrate Jim]

It was useful back when paint used an oil-based fill.
It would take a couple weeks, but the pigments would sink to the bottom of a ball and result in paintballs doing corkscrews through the air.
Much less of a problem with today's fill of polyethylene glycol.

[DocsMachine]

Yep, those used to be a thing. Couple of places sold 'em, in one variant or another. The hex-tub one was actually a rock-polisher. Unless Tippmann engraved their name on it or something, it's identical to a typical Thumlers Tumbler- a brand that's been around for about a million years now.

'Couple people I know have tried or even used them extensively over the years. Most say they saw no difference, others swore by 'em. I figured if you got some particularly poor paint- lumpy, mainly- that a tumble might help smooth them out a little. Mostly snake-oil today, in my opinion.

Doc.

[ATBen]

Thanks, that's some good info. Apparently these were red and Tippmann branded

[JeepDVLZ45]

Maybe I’m crazy, but I’d be surprised if these worked. I’m sure they’ll help prevent flat spots, but won’t they just tumble on one axis and therefore “elongate” the paintball?
Sort of like rolling out clay?

[Seajay]

They usually don't just spin, but "tumble" so the balls are in constant motion. Probably via vibration and alternating rotations.

[JeepDVLZ45]

That makes much more sense. I assumed it was just a rotating drum.