Ultrasonic Case Cleaners Vs The Stainless Steel Pin

Buy the Thumbler Tumbler with SS media. I just got mine and will probably never use my ultrasonic cleaner again. The SS media does everything that would be accomplished by using the ultrasonic cleaner AND a vibratory tumbler and does it better. If you want clean primer pockets, the ultrasonic does mediocre job. I always had to use a brush afterwards. The SS media gets them very clean (even .223 cases). The ultrasonic is faster but that is the only plus IMO

I have both.
SS pins will not disappoint and can do the volume you want and then some.
You will need to spend hundreds to get a big enough ultrasonic to that many.

The other advantage of the SS pins method is all you need is soap and a bit of Lemishine.

Please explain this stainless steel pin thing to me. I never heard of it until yesterday.

I have a question too.. Can you run SS pins in a vibrator? Mine is wet/dry capable.

tabealer said:

I have a question too.. Can you run SS pins in a vibrator? Mine is wet/dry capable.

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No, you need a rotary style tumbler. SS does not work in a vibratory style tumbler.


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"Can you run SS pins in a vibrator? Mine is wet/dry capable."

No, at least not for the Thumlers vibratory tumblers. What brand and model do you have?

444 said:

Please explain this stainless steel pin thing to me. I never heard of it until yesterday.

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The SS pins and brass are loaded into a rotary style tumbler with water, soap and some water softener like lemi shine. If you have your brass decapped, the primer pockets will even be cleaned if ran for about 3-4 hours. You then separate and dry the brass.


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What if I want to clean pistol brass with spent primers in it? Will SS media do work nicely? I plan to de-prime when I load on progressive press.

I wonder what is the process? First tumbe with SS, then inspect/sort brass making sure there is no pins left in cases?

yes, you can wet tumble without decapping but most deprime first

I also run a progressive press with an automatic case feeder but I do spend the time to decap and size first. once they are clean i use a universal decaping die in station 1 when I load.
I use the RCBS media separator filled with water to separate the SS pins.
I have virtually no pins stuck in the primer holes.
If there happens to be one the universal decapping die takes care of it.

444 said:

Please explain this stainless steel pin thing to me. I never heard of it until yesterday.

Click to expand...

Here's the place I got my setup. They have a few videos showing the process.

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/tutorials/

Otto said:

"Can you run SS pins in a vibrator? Mine is wet/dry capable."

No, at least not for the Thumlers vibratory tumblers. What brand and model do you have?

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I have the Harbor Freight 18 lb model.

Pins are the best, but I use corn cob over all three methods.
I have all three, and find the corn cob gets the job done with out all the work.