Case cleaning

[baboon]

My mix is simply a couple of drops of dish soap and a small amount of vinegar (1/2 teaspoon).

I don't care about shiny. Shiny does not add to accuracy or case longevity.

IMHO shiny makes case inspection easier.

 

[Dawico]

IMHO shiny makes case inspection easier.

True. They just look good too.

 

[Charlie]

IMHO shiny makes case inspection easier.

No inspection needed. I can see the outside and inside is going to be the same. I couldn't see inside anyway. Overkill .....................

 

[Charlie]

They are a lot prettier but they don't shoot any more accurately.

 

[Charlie]

I'd have one (steel pins and tumbler, etc.) but it's now become a luxury since I'm retired. Get what you want now, folks!

 

[ttuttle]

I run my brass 12 hours or so in untreated corn cob. It comes out very shiny.

I am not surprised that you are not having the best luck with the cheapest tumbler available.

What are better ones? Cost vs. value?

 

[mcunningham615]

What are better ones? Cost vs. value?

I'm using a Lyman Turbo Pro 1200. Maybe 70 or 80 dollars. Been running it for years.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ttuttle]

I'm using a Lyman Turbo Pro 1200. Maybe 70 or 80 dollars. Been running it for years.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Do you think it's better than a Franklin? Is so, why? I would like to be convinced to spend the dinaro.

 

[Vaquero]

Do you think it's better than a Franklin? Is so, why? I would like to be convinced to spend the dinaro.

I can't comment on the newer stuff. I got my Lyman in the early '80s. It's dependable.

 

[mcunningham615]

Do you think it's better than a Franklin? Is so, why? I would like to be convinced to spend the dinaro.

I can't say, not familiar with the Franklin but I do like my Lyman. Does a good job.

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[ttuttle]

H

I can't say, not familiar with the Franklin but I do like my Lyman. Does a good job.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Has anybody ever used a rock tumbler? If so what was your experience?

 

[baboon]

H

Has anybody ever used a rock tumbler? If so what was your experience?

A stainless steel pin tumbler is a rock tumbler.

 

[ttuttle]

I thought the tumber is a tumbler and the pins are the media, two different things. Can't you use pins in a vibrator, or corn cobs in a rock tumbler? I don't want to confuse the point but the machine and the media are two different things.

A stainless steel pin tumbler is a rock tumbler.[/QUO

 

[Dawico]

I thought the tumber is a tumbler and the pins are the media, two different things. Can't you use pins in a vibrator, or corn cobs in a rock tumbler? I don't want to confuse the point but the machine and the media are two different things.

You can use dry media in a rotating tumbler. I am not sure how effective it would be though without the vibration.

Pins do not work in a regular tumbler. They are heavy and just settle to the bottom without mixing with the brass.

 

[Dawico]

What are better ones? Cost vs. value?

That I can't answer truthfully. I have just seen many people complain about the FA and its lack of cleaning ability. Check the 'net for hacks that may help with it.

I use a Thumbler's Tumbler which works great. I got mine used cheap but new they are spendy.

If you are going to spend Thumbler's type money I would recommend going with wet tumbling. The FA rotating model seems to work well with that.

 

[A & P]

H

Has anybody ever used a rock tumbler? If so what was your experience?

Tried it, but the rocks tend to dent the cases.

But seriously, I've tried vibratory w/ walnut, ultrasonic (small and mega tub versions), and the tumbler with steel pins. I find the steel pin/tumber works best. Wasn't too impressed with the walnut plus it takes a long time. The ultrasonic was pretty good but the pins seem to get more tough stuff off/out. Surprisingly, it cleaned the primer pockets very well too. Ultrasonic is faster and no media to sort so that's a big plus, but the pins seems the most consistent and most aggressive in case you have filthy brass. If you're cleaning your once-fired, Lapua brass that you gently caress out of your chamber after each firing, maybe you don't need aggressive cleaning. If you're a brass vulture and pick up random buried treasure at the outdoor range, you may want the pins. You'll be impressed.

We actually sell what I use and I use what we sell. It's nice because someone will pick just about anything off the shelf and I'll say "I use that". The only few exceptions is that I use a GemPro250 scale instead of the cheaper scales. I even use it to verify my Hornady chargemaster or whatever they call it (I think that's RCBS's name). In fact, oftentimes I'll buy two of something new: one for me and one for the store. it also allows me to try lots of variations (light chrono-> magnetospeed-> labradar as another example).

To someone else's point, you do have to temper how much you use. I've overloaded the tumbler with too much brass/media and it wouldn't turn or tumble. Just watch the weight. Water, dish soap, and lemishine for my wet mix.

I also use the Hornady brass dryer. Only takes about 15-20 minutes to complete dry the brass (and they're hot when they come out, so be careful). The problem with wet media (ultrasonic or steel pins) is that you have to make sure the brass is bone dry. A little tiny collection of wet near the web at the base of the bottleneck case or in the flash hole that you could never see might do bad things when you add your powder.

 

[baboon]

Tried it, but the rocks tend to dent the cases.

But seriously, I've tried vibratory w/ walnut, ultrasonic (small and mega tub versions), and the tumbler with steel pins. I find the steel pin/tumber works best. Wasn't too impressed with the walnut plus it takes a long time. The ultrasonic was pretty good but the pins seem to get more tough stuff off/out. Surprisingly, it cleaned the primer pockets very well too. Ultrasonic is faster and no media to sort so that's a big plus, but the pins seems the most consistent and most aggressive in case you have filthy brass. If you're cleaning your once-fired, Lapua brass that you gently caress out of your chamber after each firing, maybe you don't need aggressive cleaning. If you're a brass vulture and pick up random buried treasure at the outdoor range, you may want the pins. You'll be impressed.

We actually sell what I use and I use what we sell. It's nice because someone will pick just about anything off the shelf and I'll say "I use that". The only few exceptions is that I use a GemPro250 scale instead of the cheaper scales. I even use it to verify my Hornady chargemaster or whatever they call it (I think that's RCBS's name). In fact, oftentimes I'll buy two of something new: one for me and one for the store. it also allows me to try lots of variations (light chrono-> magnetospeed-> labradar as another example).

To someone else's point, you do have to temper how much you use. I've overloaded the tumbler with too much brass/media and it wouldn't turn or tumble. Just watch the weight. Water, dish soap, and lemishine for my wet mix.

I also use the Hornady brass dryer. Only takes about 15-20 minutes to complete dry the brass (and they're hot when they come out, so be careful). The problem with wet media (ultrasonic or steel pins) is that you have to make sure the brass is bone dry. A little tiny collection of wet near the web at the base of the bottleneck case or in the flash hole that you could never see might do bad things when you add your powder.

I use a dehydrator to dry my brass.

 

[Reinz]

A bit of quandry. I have tried corn cobs and walnut shells for polishing brass in a shaker but either process is slow and not very successful. I am wondering about using aluminum oxide blasting media or even silicon carbide grit. Questions:
1. Has anyone tried either of these solutions?
2. If so, what grit size did you use?
3. Did it work out successfully?
4. How long did the shells "cook" in the shaker?
Thanks for the help and any suggestions you may have

7-8 years ago I bought something like you are asking about. All that I remember is that it was black and used in sand/glass blasting. I believed the claim that it was next big thing. The stuff turned my brass black!

Needless to say, I was hornswaggled. I immediately threw it away.