Iron Oxide in tumbler? Presto brass like new!

Same as Jeweler's Rouge

Yeah, it's chemically the same thing as Jeweler's Rouge, though there may be a difference in the particle size.

I bought some jeweler's rouge from www.powdervalleyinc.com a couple years ago, and just put in a half teaspoon per quart of media. Seems to do a nice job.

Always looking for a cheaper way to do it.... like buying the corn cob media from WW Grainger in 40-pound bags instead of buying it by the quart at Cabela's.

...and a .25 cup mineral spirits

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a serious fire hazard?

This touches on what I was thinking when I heard you were using mineral spirits:

http://www.learnhousepainting.com/articles/avoiding_spontaneous_combustion_fire.html

Not sure what your setup is though.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a serious fire hazard?

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Not really. It'll burn, but it's not volatile (explosive vapors). LOTS of things will burn, but that doesn't mean they'll burst into flames.

What kills me is how most people freak out around oxygen, for cryin' out loud. They think it's all dangerous and explosive, OMG!

I put a small amount of Brasso in with the cases in my tumbler and it makes a big difference to the finish and it significantly reduces the time needed to get the cases clean and shiny.

High concentration of oxygen and a dusty atmophere and don't light a match...


As far as the mineral spirits are concerned It, also under the right conditions, will ignite, but........

"What kills me is how most people freak out around oxygen, for cryin' out loud. They think it's all dangerous and explosive, OMG!"

If they were alive, probably the crew of Apollo 1 would be glad to point out some of the dangers of oxygen.

Tim

First I thought crap the brass just looks red now.

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You're using way too much red oxide polish if that happens. I use that stuff (bought from a local lapidary shop) with ground corncob from Grainger's; just enough to turn the media pink is about right. You don't really need the mineral spirits, although it probably does speed things up.

like buying the corn cob media from WW Grainger in 40-pound bags instead of buying it by the quart at Cabela's.

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How does WWG compare to the big-box pet stores??

like buying the corn cob media from WW Grainger in 40-pound bags instead of buying it by the quart at Cabela's.

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How does WWG compare to the big-box pet stores??

Yep, use just a little.

Right. I put in less than a teaspoon per tumbler full (two gallons, I think) and it doesn't leave any on the brass. It all stays with the corncob stuff. A pound of that stuff should last you almost forever.

I don't use mineral spirits or any other liquid solvent, though sometimes I'll put in a dab of auto polish (not wax) - seems to help the powder stick to the corncob media. The thing I'm trying to accomplish with that idea it to keep the dust down. It seems to work.

"What kills me is how most people freak out around oxygen, for cryin' out loud. They think it's all dangerous and explosive, OMG!"

If they were alive, probably the crew of Apollo 1 would be glad to point out some of the dangers of oxygen.

Tim

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Yes, oxygen promotes the rapid and vigorous burning of other things that are on fire, but oxygen itself is harmless. A fire in an oxygen-rich environment is bad news, but show me where oxygen itself will even burn.

I checked Ebay whats the differance or is there a better source for a small amount

How does WWG compare to the big-box pet stores??

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I paid $25 for a 50 pound bag of Grade 1420 corncob grit. That should last me for decades. And it's better stuff than what I've bought before at the pet stores.

Thanks for the info.

I bought some Lyman Tuff-Nut - treated walnut shell media - some years ago and it was sooo heavily loaded with rouge that it was a crappy mess to deal with. Three years after last using it I still have stained equipment. I just pitched it last week after finding it again in the back of the cabinet. Now I wish that I had cut it with untreated media but I was just too POed to think straight. As for the mineral spirits I just started using two TBSP per load, but not each time. Just when it seems that the cleaning isn't getting done as it had been. If anyone has a concern about storing it in the media you can just spread out the media on a flat surface for a day and the majority will evaporate - more quicky so if it is laid out in the sun. When I finish up with the old military brass I will be doing that as well.

Quote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a serious fire hazard?
Not really. It'll burn, but it's not volatile (explosive vapors). LOTS of things will burn, but that doesn't mean they'll burst into flames.

What kills me is how most people freak out around oxygen, for cryin' out loud. They think it's all dangerous and explosive, OMG!

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First off, Mineral Spirits are a Class II combustible liquid with a flash point of 104 degrees F. This puts it in the same category as diesel but its flash point is on 4 degrees from being a flammable liquid.

I can tell you for certain that tumblers are not explosion proof. What I cannot tell you is the chemical breakdown of mineral spirits as it reacts with the residues on the case. You may use it for years without incident but it is a potentially dangerous mix.

As for O2, you are correct that it is not flammable but it is an oxidizer (no sh*t). O2 will increase the rate of combustion and will increase combustion temperatures by allowing more complete combustion. O2 can also "saturate" clothes and body oils making these more susceptible to combustion. NFPA recently released an article regarding these types of fire.

Lastly, to address the posted article, spontaneous combustion is heat of decomposition. Ever seen a wood chip pile steaming in the middle of winter? That pile is decomposing and the heat generated is causing the steam. Theoretically, media saturated with mineral spirits would suffer the effects of heat of decomposition if left in an enclosed container allowing the heat to build up to the point of ignition. Oily shop rags balled up and thrown into a dark, poorly ventilated corner will also "spontaneously combust" by this same principal.

In short, use mineral spirits if you like, but use it at your own risk. As for O2, how did we even get on that subject?