brass cleaning

[guns3738]

i just wanted to know what people prefer dry or wet tumbeling also what media do you use? thanks

 

[mpssrh]

This is not exactly what you asked, but I hope it will be helpful. I deprime the brass (using a Lee single stage press) and then clean it in a Hornady ultrasonic unit using Hornady Case Cleaner and water. The cases and primer pockets are cleaned to perfection. Dry the cases, and you are ready to reload. Tumbling is optional (if you want the brass shiny, then tumble in corn cob media with NuFinish car wax).
Best wishes.

 

[ku4hx]

I've always done dry tumbling and for the last several years use Zilla reptile bedding. Occasionally a little New Finish car polish but generally I'm not interested in making fired cases look like new untouched.

 

[GBExpat]

i just wanted to know what people prefer dry or wet tumbeling also what media do you use? thanks

Dry "tumbling" (vibratory case cleaner, actually) I use corn cob media with a bit of polish added.

Wet tumbling, SS media with some citric acid granules & ArmorAll Wash&Wax added.

I much prefer cleaning my cases via the Wet process.

 

[jmorris]

I do both, corncob and walnut dry (different tumblers) and stainless wet.

Dry is less work and has worked fine for me for decades, a large wet tumbler it is faster and they come out looking new

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I clean mine in a sonic cleaner, dry them under an infered heater, and if I want them to look like new I run them through my rotary tumbler with a mix of wallnut and corncob.

 

[frankenstein406]

I prefer dry tumbling with zilla walnut pet bedding.

 

[yugorpk]

Walnut media with a little polish. Then size/deprime and wash in a bucket with soapy water. Lay the brass out on a towel to dry over night. Then prime it and set it aside for loading.

 

[1066]

I've tried all sorts over the years but been using wet stainless steel media for the last 5 years or so. - Wouldn't do it any other way now, stunning results, inside and out.

 

[Reefinmike]

Ive considered stainless steel wet tumbling but it does not seem worth the expense and the hassle of drying your cases. 2-3 hours in the tumbler with walnut, a dash of mineral spirits and a cap of nufinish gets them much shinier than i have ever seen new brass... it works for me. besides, why worry about what the inside of the case looks like?

 

[splattergun]

I don't shoot jewelry. an hour tumbling in the walnut is plenty clean.

 

[Reloadron]

Wet would be my first choice. However, I have several vibratory tumblers which still run just fine using walnut and corn cob media so until I really have need I'll run with what I have, which works well and gets the job done. Eventually I'll transition to wet just not any minute now.

Ron

 

[higgite]

I prefer dry tumbling with zilla walnut pet bedding.

This ^^^ with a dab of Flitz brass case polish.

 

[Bang!]

I use both.

My brass that I just shot and picked up goes in the dry tumbler with walnut lizard pet bedding, mineral spirits, and NuFinish. Cleans up nicely since it was pretty clean to begin with.

The extra range brass I pick up gets a pre-wash in a five gallon bucket and then goes in the wet tumbler with dawn and lemishine. Comes out looking like new and is easy to inspect. Then when I shoot it and pick it back up it's pretty clean to begin again .

Each cleaning method has it's purpose.

 

[Average Joe]

Dry with lizard pet bedding walnuts. Super cheap.

 

[JO JO]

I prefer wet but I do have both

 

[Gravedigger56]

I've tried all sorts over the years but been using wet stainless steel media for the last 5 years or so. - Wouldn't do it any other way now, stunning results, inside and out.

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

I always hated having to run from the basement to the deck (or the garage in the winter) to run the vibratory tumbler. It was SO nice when I switched to wet tumbling and I could finally do everything right there next to me while working in the reloading room. Only time I use my vibratory tumbler anymore is to remove the lube from sized rifle brass.

 

[dh1633pm]

I used to use the dry route. It worked great. Its also dusty. I am not sure the health benefits of the dust.

So I changed to the wet method with stainless steel. A little lemon juice, dawn, and car wash gets them pretty clean. I dry them outside on a towel using solar energy. In the winter a short time in the over at 200 degrees, will dry them pretty fast.

After a trip to the range, I use a decapper die and then into the wet tumbler. I mix up the brass except for those I know stick together. Like 223 and 45 Colt. Then then go into storage until I get enough to make separation necessary. Like when the big bowl gets to the top. I then separate and put them in zip locks with labels on them.

After I resize I clean them again to get all the lube cleaned off of them. I skip that step for pistol rounds. Serves me well.

 

[WessonOil]

I have a couple of Hornady M2 vibrating tumblers with walnut reptile pet bedding.

I add NuFinish to the media for better cleaning, but it's not a matter of life and death if you don't.

 

[1066]

My simple wet tumbler system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcyAkj-LzA8

 

[cmcgehee]

1066....A Presto Food Dehydrator from Walmart will make quick work of drying. You can dry 5-6 hundred in about 15-20 min.

 

[Dframe]

Vibratory with corncob and a little polish.

 

[1066]

1066....A Presto Food Dehydrator from Walmart will make quick work of drying. You can dry 5-6 hundred in about 15-20 min.

I usually anneal after wet tumbling so not really a problem, however, I've never investigated the food dehydrators so I'll have a look thanks.

 

[50 Shooter]

How does the wet method with SS pins work on tarnished brass?

I usually drop surplus into Iosso to remove the tarnish and then tumble them if I want them really shiny. It only takes a couple minutes and then into the oven on low for about five minutes to dry them. I've also used the dishwasher on dry mode to dry out the brass, just don't let the wife catch you doing either one!

 

[maxxhavoc]

How does the wet method with SS pins work on tarnished brass?

The same way it works on everything else. My old WWII era M1 Carbine brass came out looking perfect...I couldn't tell which ones used to be tarnished.