How often do you replace your tumbling media?

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Zaydok Allen

Zaydok Allen

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I use a 50/50 mix of walnut and corncob. I have tumbled approximately 5500 cases, and the brass is coming out clean, and the media doesn't appear darkened much.

Just wondering how often people throw away their media and use fresh.
 
Most of my brass is range pick-ups, or ones that I let hit the ground (I don't own any revolvers). So, after approximately 2500 dirty-to-very-dirty cases, I had to change mine out. I use walnut, it had become more powder than media. Some cycles were up to 12 hours, since I forgot about it, but most were around 2 hours.
 
I run the media until it stops cleaning. The usual indicators are I get black, tar like streaks on the cases that are difficult to rub off.

I suspect these are from accumulation of dust in the media and the lubricant that gets cleaned off during the cleaning process.

Depending on how much I shoot, I average 3000-4000 rounds/ year, and how much of it gets lubricated for resizing, media lasts one to two years.
 
You can pull the dust from the media by using spent dryer sheets. The dust will stick to the sheet and throw it out.
Just add a used sheet when starting a new batch of cases.
 
I use dryer sheets and Nu-Finish car polish in my corn cob media. I use it for years at a time and tumble 10,000 + ( I really have no idea) cases before changing it out. Usually its still cleaning cases just fine in a couple hours although it usually green in color, I change it because I'm tired of looking at the 15 pound box of media that has been setting around for the past 10 + years. I tumble everything from lubed cases to bulk purchased range brass that's very dirty and gritty, the dryer sheets really help keep the dirt collected and out of the media.
 
I have not changed mine for 6 years. Pretty nasty looking but brass still comes out shiny and clean.
 
Run it until it doesn't work any more......I was using the dryer sheet method to clean out the dust but I found an even better (easier) way a few months ago.....I cleaned a batch of cases with the tumbler sitting outside in a slight breeze with the cover off......bingo.....no more dust.
 
Is there any concern about continued long term use of media, accumulation of fouling and lead dust, and associated health risks?

To be clear, I'm careful with the handling. I use a covered media separator and Oneshot metal polish. I do not have any problems with dust. However, I have small animals in my home and don't want to cause them to be exposed to dangerous conditions. Sounds like with careful handling old media really isn't a concern.
 
460Shooter said:
Is there any concern about continued long term use of media, accumulation of fouling and lead dust, and associated health risks?

To be clear, I'm careful with the handling. I use a covered media separator and Oneshot metal polish. I do not have any problems with dust. However, I have small animals in my home and don't want to cause them to be exposed to dangerous conditions. Sounds like with careful handling old media really isn't a concern.
Click to expand...

I run the tumbler in my garage and do the brass/media separation outdoors away from areas that my kid or dogs frequent. That way I don't have to worry much about the lead (or other heavy metals that can be in primer residue) around them.
 
Started loading several years ago; haven't had to change it yet (50 corncob/50 walnut like yours). I do use the dryer sheets mentioned above.
 
We live on a small horse farm and the dogs bring in more dust from dirt than what is generated by the tumbler. The cats spread more dust around from digging in their litter box than what is generated by the tumbler.

I run the tumbler with a cover on it and I use a covered media separator. Dust is pretty much contained with the rest of the media. Not enough gets out on other surfaces to notice. I do not permit the cats entry into the reloading area because they tend to get into too much trouble with all the shiny bobbles (aka cases) around.

Dryer sheets do help remove some of the dust from the media.

I've never been concerned about health concerns from handling media but I do not handle it. Media gets poured from tumbler to separator then poured back to the tumbler once the cases are separated.

After processing cleaned cases, I do wash my hands as there is a little bit of dust on my finger tips.

If I was operating the tumbler 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, I'd probably use more safety gear. But for once or twice a week, naw.
 
When I dry tumbled I would just change it when it got dirty, no set time.
now that I wet tumble never (pins), everytime (water)
 
I change mine once a month. I am not worried about "dust" I am worried about the lead in the dust. Like some of you, I am not the only one in my reloading room and I worry about their wellbeing over mine.
 
Same as the others, when it doesn't clean/shine up the cases well. Might be three months (Cleaning a lot of range brass), or a couple of years, just depends. I haven't cleaned any range brass for awhile, and haven't changed the media in the tumblers in some time. That said, it's fairly cheap, don't be afraid to change it.

https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-blast-media-corn-cob-20-to-40-grit-crn3-40/i/G2165387/

If you have a Grainger nearby, they will ship it to the store for free, just pick it up there. I have done that before, but last time it was cheaper to get it from Zoro, IIRC, the last time, but I did order it from somewhere.

https://www.grainger.com/product/2MVR4

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-fine-grade-walnut-shell-blast-media-92155.html
 
Last night I popped the lid off my tumbler to sift out some 45 Colt brass. It had been tumbled for about 7 hours and wasn't particularly dirty brass. Just once fired American Eagle loads. Despite the long tumbling, the cases still had some scorch marks around the mouths, and had some dark streaks on them. I decided media is cheap enough that I don't care. I replaced it. I think at this point I've only tumbled about 6000 cases in it. Whatever...........

I have another 4000 to 5000 cases to clean and then I'll have it all polished up. Once that happens I'm going to tumble brass as soon as it's been shot so I maintain a "clean inventory" rather than piles of dirty stuff. I'm guessing at that point, media will be lasting me a lot longer.

I've been running my tumbler for about 5 hours a day, four or five days a week, for the last three weeks.

I'm getting in the habit of running the vacuum through my loading room whenever I pour media from sifter to tumbler and back. It's probably overly careful, but it isn't practical for me to keep my cats out of the reloading room. Their cat boxes are on the other side of the attic. My concern has been they walk through dust on the carpet, clean their paws, and then they are eating lead dust. I shoot jacketed bullets pretty exclusively, but I still want to be cautious.

The benefit to having two ninja/acrobat children in the house that have free access to every room is that they sure do inspire you to stay clean and organized. the down side is that I have to have child safety locks on all my cabinets, and I find puke in places I'd rather not.
 
Depends on how good of a job it’s doing, I generallydont fix what’s not broken.

I wouldn’t be shocked if I get well over 100,000 cases through one bag. That said my brass isn’t super dirty anyway. If I have stuff that’s filthy I’ll wet tumble them instead, it’s more hassle but so is getting a fresh batch of corncob right where am want it with polish.
 
jmorris said:
Depends on how good of a job it’s doing, I generallydont fix what’s not broken.

I wouldn’t be shocked if I get well over 100,000 cases through one bag. That said my brass isn’t super dirty anyway.
Click to expand...
I'm finding that light loads aren't as appealing for this reason alone, keeping my brass clean.
 
Damon555 said:
Run it until it doesn't work any more......I was using the dryer sheet method to clean out the dust but I found an even better (easier) way a few months ago.....I cleaned a batch of cases with the tumbler sitting outside in a slight breeze with the cover off......bingo.....no more dust.
Click to expand...

I never though about that. Oh, well, I seldom have a day with a slight breeze anyway. I would be changing media every time I did that because there would be little or none left.
 
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