putteral
Member
I just got back into reloading recently and have been wondering whether to buy a case tumbler. I have been using Isso brass case cleaner which does an ok job ( nothing like new). Do they make a big difference?
Are Case tumblers necessary?
- Thread starter putteral
- Start date
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
NO
Mr. Ken Waters, in his many writings states that only if you wish to impress
someone; then you need to tumble (and polish) cases. This information can
be found in his wonderful book entitled "Pet Loads"~!
Mr. Ken Waters, in his many writings states that only if you wish to impress
someone; then you need to tumble (and polish) cases. This information can
be found in his wonderful book entitled "Pet Loads"~!
RustyFN
Member
No, but IMO they take the least amount of hands on time. With my vibratory tumbler it takes two minutes to load it and five minutes to unload it and no drying involved.
Rusty
Rusty
trueblue1776
Member
No, not really, but there are a few powders that are especially crusty. Crusties can* translate to hangfires, if said crusties get pushed into the flash hole. That can be remedied with pipe cleaners and various brushes.
But, I like shiny brass as much as the next guy.
But, I like shiny brass as much as the next guy.
tkendrick
Member
Necessary? No.
I reloaded for years without one.
Should you buy one? Yep.
After I finally broke down and bought one, I quickly began to kick myself in the butt for not having done it sooner.
I reloaded for years without one.
Should you buy one? Yep.
After I finally broke down and bought one, I quickly began to kick myself in the butt for not having done it sooner.
SilentArmy
Member
I reloaded for 12 yrs without a tumbler. I now have 2 Dillon CV2001's and a Lyman Turbo Magnum to keep up with my polishing! I think that clean shiny brass with a little of the film from the polish is easier on your dies and chambers better but I can't count how many 1000's of rounds I fired that were reloaded from dirty range brass! If you only reload cases once for safety sake then leave em dirty and leave them on the ground at the range! Tumbler are not necessary but nasty brass affects your mental preparedness!
evan price
Member
Tumblers are not necessary; I reloaded without one for a while.
However when you shoot outside and pickup brass that's been laying in the gravel- a tumbler is very necessary to get the grit off and not get it in your dies. My brass works much easier when it's clean.
Plus, what made me bite the bullet, I was taking some new shooters out and opened a box of my personal reloads for "me" to shoot (not them) and they asked me if I was shooting it because it was old and cruddy. Dirty brass looks dirty.
For as "cheap" as eBay or Midway sells them, and as little work is needed to use one (Dump in cases & media and a few cut-up used dryer sheets, turn it on, go to bed, next morning, dump everything in the sifter and admire your shiny brass!) why not?
However when you shoot outside and pickup brass that's been laying in the gravel- a tumbler is very necessary to get the grit off and not get it in your dies. My brass works much easier when it's clean.
Plus, what made me bite the bullet, I was taking some new shooters out and opened a box of my personal reloads for "me" to shoot (not them) and they asked me if I was shooting it because it was old and cruddy.
Dirty brass looks dirty.For as "cheap" as eBay or Midway sells them, and as little work is needed to use one (Dump in cases & media and a few cut-up used dryer sheets, turn it on, go to bed, next morning, dump everything in the sifter and admire your shiny brass!) why not?
The Bushmaster
Member
Redhat...If you are worried about the "lead" dust that may be in the air after tumbling. You may want to tumble your brass outside...OR have someone else handle you bullets while you operate the press (sarcasm off)...The "lead" hazzard has been discussed on here so many times that it gets quite boring...The "hazzard" is and has been over stated.:banghead: If you are really worried about air born lead tumble your brass on the porch or deck (outside). Or you could get those dust masks from the hardware store (cheap). I have a Gun/reloading Room on the main floor of my house and do my case tumbling in the basement and worry little about the air born "lead"...I let the others worry for me...
)...The "lead" hazzard has been discussed on here so many times that it gets quite boring...The "hazzard" is and has been over stated.:banghead: If you are really worried about air born lead tumble your brass on the porch or deck (outside). Or you could get those dust masks from the hardware store (cheap). I have a Gun/reloading Room on the main floor of my house and do my case tumbling in the basement and worry little about the air born "lead"...I let the others worry for me...trueblue1776
Member
Hat-
If you're worried about dust, use more polish in your media.
If you're worried about dust, use more polish in your media.
The Bushmaster
Member
Redhat...Well if it's the dust settled around your tumbler, just sweep it up and wipe everything down with a damp paper towel and throw it away...And wash your hands before you eat or drink anything...And yes...The lead (?) from tumbling is not significant if you perform rudimentary precautions...
Lovesbeer99
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
- Messages
- 1,413
I reloaded for several weeks hand washing my brass (just make sure you clean the primer pocket before handwashing though as it will retain moister) then I bought a tumbler and I'm glad I did. As a matter of fact the Franklen Arsenal unit that I bought on sale from Midway is on sale again. It comes with a tumbler, polish, media, and seperator bucket.
Check it out.
Lovesbeer99
Check it out.
Lovesbeer99
Linear Thinker
Member
Necessary? No. Desirable? Yes.
My regimen for range brass:
Ultrasonic cleaning to get the crud off
Resize/deprime
Tumble with walnut hulls and jeweler's rouge
Ultrasonic cleaning to get the abrasive dust off
Ready to load!
I use Simple Green or 409 as the degreasers in the ultrasonic wash, but any surfactant will do.
Will the shiny brass load and shoot any better than the cruddy tarnished kind? Probably not, but you will see any defects right away - the split necks, the shiny rings of impending case-head separation, etc.
Worth it for me.
LT
My regimen for range brass:
Ultrasonic cleaning to get the crud off
Resize/deprime
Tumble with walnut hulls and jeweler's rouge
Ultrasonic cleaning to get the abrasive dust off
Ready to load!
I use Simple Green or 409 as the degreasers in the ultrasonic wash, but any surfactant will do.
Will the shiny brass load and shoot any better than the cruddy tarnished kind? Probably not, but you will see any defects right away - the split necks, the shiny rings of impending case-head separation, etc.
Worth it for me.
LT
carnaby
Member
Same here, loaded for a year without one. Got one. I'll never be without one again.
silverlance
Member
where did you guys get your ultrasonic cleaners?
Linear Thinker
Member
Silver - ultrasonics are out there, check on Ebay. Harbor Freight sells a 1/2 gal unit cheaply, last time I checked. I have a Branson and a Fisher, both are nicely made. Got them at a biomed lab auction.
LT
LT
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