I have been thinking about getting the large harbor frieght tumbler for a while. I would use it for knifemaking, but thought I would try it on pipes also.
I would think you would want to go straight to ceramic media for pipes
If you can tumble Ti with it, I am sure it can mark up some briar pretty well. If I get one I will report back. For $200 bucks, it might be a good setup for the guys who don't have the money or room for a blasting unit (IF it works).
“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Nietzsche