Wet Tumbler input

The FART works great for me, but this item will save you a great deal of problems.

https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Ar...8-44dd-be72-7199b45c369b&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi

I've used the FART Lite for at least four years. I'm very satisfied with it.

I also have the FART lite, for a little less than a year, but very happy with it so far. The power unit and barrel both seem pretty rugged and I've probably put about 3k cases thru mine so far. Everything from 25acp to 300wm has come out purty.

The FART Lite is the perfect size for my volume of shooting/reloading. It is a great dollar value with sturdy components and performance above expectations. I like the RCBS cleaning solution, but FA and others are probably just as good. Tumbling is the best way to separate the pins, and the Hornady Media Sifter works well, is compact, and a good match for processing load size. You're gonna really like the results from wet tumbling, guaranteed! My RCBS vibratory case cleaner is seldom used now.

The FART works great and is surprisingly durable.

Buy a good magnet. The one from Frankfort works good.
A decent case separator will make your life easier getting the pins out. Fill it with water, spin your brass in it, and the pins will fall right out. Water breaks the surface tension making the pins drop out into the tub.
No need for a fancy "brass drier", I just dry mine on a towel on a rack with a fan pointed at it. If Im in a hurry, 200 degrees in the oven on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes and it will be dry.
I dont run pins on pistol brass that came out my guns. Its not filthy, and sometimes pins are a pain, and it gets it clean enough. Rifle brass get the pins because I want them deburred. Nasty range brass always gets the pins.
I just run Dawn and Lemishine, but some guys run wash and wax car wash because it helps maintain the shine longer.

I have the Lyman with the optional sifter/separator trays, and the FA Lite, and the pins for both. The Lyman does a noticably better job cleaning the insides of the cases. I think it's due to the rubber coating on the inside of the drum (which the FA Lite lacks). The sifter/separator trays are very nice when separating the pins.

Had a motor burn out on a Thumler’s a few years ago after a lot of years. Took a chance on a FART for a sale price less than the price of a new motor for the Thumler. Just as happy - maybe moreso, as I like the straining “caps” for the FART.

another happy FART customer.

I like really clean brass! So range brass I run twice. 1X with hot water and Dawn for an hour, the rinse is the secret. Deprime and put back in with hot water, Dawn and the FA solution. This is 2 hours, I’m getting the prime pockets clean.

For my brass, especially bottleneck rifle brass, I just do the second step after depriming.

The FART is simple, and I like simple!

I’ve been using the FART for about 6 years now. No complaints. It’s a bit of work but you trade the wet work for dry dust, and I’d rather not be breathing the dry dust.

I just picked up a new to me tumbler, haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Should be able to clean all my dirty brass in 2 loads.

I have been happy with the FART. I use ArmorAll Wash-n-Wax, a pinch of Lemishine and no pins. After a run time of 1-2 hours the brass is not shiny but is nice and clean. I will start using pins soon as some of the range pickups are a bit grungy.

Years ago I purchased used Thumlers tumbler. It has cleaned many hundreds of thousands of brass with one liner replacment and three new belts. It will probably outlast me. The FART looks like a great unit and might consider it as a replacment if that time ever comes. The trick I learned is not to fill the cylinder full of water but just enough to cover the pins and brass within. It cleans better and there is less wear on the machine due to less weight. YMMV

Jonny2guns said:

I just picked up a new to me tumbler, haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Should be able to clean all my dirty brass in 2 loads.View attachment 1105177

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How many lbs of pins you using in that?

Stainless Steel Reloading Supplies | Tumblers, Separators, Media, Brass & More! (stainlesstumblingmedia.com)
I've used this brand for years and have zero complaints.

+1 for another happy FART lite user. I bought the steel pins sold on Midway USA and have been very pleased with the results. I use a few drops of liquid dish soap with a couple of dabs of Lemishine. Two hours in the tumbler and they come out looking brand new. I use a food dehydrator to dry my cases. Does a good job.

I bought the FART kit ( tumbler, SS pins, Magnet) around 6 yrs ago. I don't think I will ever go back to dry media. Took me a little trial and error to find the right combo of ArmorAll W&W, and Limeshine (citric acid). When I switched off of well water to county water, I had to over double the amount of citric acid.

If you want to give liquid tumbling a try on the cheap, check this one out:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021666817?pid=825891
No personal experience with this one, but I have been quite happy with my original full size FART.

Blue68f100 said:

I bought the FART kit ( tumbler, SS pins, Magnet) around 6 yrs ago. I don't think I will ever go back to dry media. Took me a little trial and error to find the right combo of ArmorAll W&W, and Limeshine (citric acid). When I switched off of well water to county water, I had to over double the amount of citric acid.

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I recently moved and had to change my formula due to the different water quality.

I have the Lyman and am quite happy with it.
Some car wash and wax and a dab of citric acid and things come out looking great.
(Amazon has good deals on citric acid, and I use whatever car wash and wax the car is getting for brass and the car gets what's on sale usually Turtle)
It's about 4 years old and still going, but due to the primer shortage I haven't been shooting as much this year. (5K 9mm vs normal 10-15k)

FROGO207 said:

Years ago I purchased used Thumlers tumbler. It has cleaned many hundreds of thousands of brass with one liner replacment and three new belts. It will probably outlast me. The FART looks like a great unit and might consider it as a replacment if that time ever comes. The trick I learned is not to fill the cylinder full of water but just enough to cover the pins and brass within. It cleans better and there is less wear on the machine due to less weight. YMMV

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So is anyone else only using minimal water? Thought about trying it…thoughts and or suggestions

Yamifrk said:

So is anyone else only using minimal water? Thought about trying it…thoughts and or suggestions

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Absolutely not. And the difference between jewelry and still dirty brass is a rinse cycle.

I tumble a lot of brass. I have two of the bigger FARTS and a National Metalic wet tumbler.
They both clean the brass great, but I personally prefer the Frankford tumblers over the National Metalic tumbler.
Depending upon your water will depend upon how much Lemi-shine you will have to use.
We have city tap water, I use a cap full of ArmorAll Wash n Wax, a 2/2 teaspoon of Lemi-shine Booster and a small squirt of the Blue Dawn Dish Soap.
I use hot tap water and tumble for an hour.
Dump the dirty black water.
Fill back up with fresh warm water, shake it up a little and dump that dirty water.
Fill back up with warm water and add a cap full of ArmorAll Wash n Wax. Let it rum for fifteen to twenty minutes
Drain and remove the pins.
I made drying racks to dry the brass.
I bought the magnet from Harbor Freight.
I bought a small bottle of Finnish Jet Dry and added a cap full of that until it ran out.

I switched from vibratory to the FART this year, and not only does it get cases cleaner faster, I think it’s easier to use and less mess. If I could only have one it would be a wet tumbler.

I rarely use the pins, only on really nasty cases. When I do use pins I have one of those NM separators that has 2 sieves one with fine mesh to catch the pins.

I throw in cases, a cap full of car wash, and a 45 case of citric acid, fill it up with warm water and let it run for an hour or so. Then I dump it all out into the separator, rinse with hot water and dump them on a towel in front of a fan for an hour or so until they are dry.

The one thing I have noticed is that it needs to be half full of cases or more for optimal cleaning. If you only have a handful to clean they just sit on the bottom and roll. I’ve seen some people have made baffles for them and I may do that at some point.

Highland Lofts said:

I tumble a lot of brass. I have two of the bigger FARTS and a National Metalic wet tumbler.
They both clean the brass great, but I personally prefer the Frankford tumblers over the National Metalic tumbler.
Depending upon your water will depend upon how much Lemi-shine you will have to use.
We have city tap water, I use a cap full of ArmorAll Wash n Wax, a 2/2 teaspoon of Lemi-shine Booster and a small squirt of the Blue Dawn Dish Soap.
I use hot tap water and tumble for an hour.
Dump the dirty black water.
Fill back up with fresh warm water, shake it up a little and dump that dirty water.
Fill back up with warm water and add a cap full of ArmorAll Wash n Wax. Let it rum for fifteen to twenty minutes
Drain and remove the pins.
I made drying racks to dry the brass.
I bought the magnet from Harbor Freight.
I bought a small bottle of Finnish Jet Dry and added a cap full of that until it ran out. View attachment 1105641 View attachment 1105642 View attachment 1105643 View attachment 1105644

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So if I have it right one beer when washing and 2 when drying?