Dry tumbler media

[sfl_gunner]

I exclusively use an RCBS tumbler for cleaning my brass. The last media I bought was untreated from Harbor Freight, I have since noticed a lot of media is getting stuck inside the cases. Anybody have any idea why that could be? What's the most effective method to prevent this issue? What's the easiest way to get rid of all the media stuck inside the case? Also what cleaning additives have y'all tried with dry media? Thanks

 

[Hondo 60]

The perfect media size is corn cob from Grainger 20/40
Its small enough to slide right thru the primer hole.

I've been using it since about 2009.
From 09-16 I shot on average 10-12k/year
(Lately I've been wet tumbling tho)

Forgot to mention used dryer sheet.
They collect a LOT of the carbon & lead dust.

 

[lightman]

The perfect media size is corn cob from Grainger 20/40
Its small enough to slide right thru the primer hole.

I've been using it since about 2009.
From 09-16 I shot on average 10-12k/year
(Lately I've been wet tumbling tho)

This is what I use too. I'll sprinkle about a cap full of Mineral Spirits in the media along with about a cap full of New Finish liquid automotive wax and run until its mixed well.

 

[troy fairweather]

Cut up some used dryer sheets and tumble it will clean the media.

 

[bullseye308]

Lizard litter from the pet store flows right through the flash holes and just flat out works. A capful of nufinish car wax about every 6-8 loads and a cut up used dryer sheet does all you need. I used that for years and still do occasionally with great results.

 

[LiveLife]

last media I bought was untreated from Harbor Freight, I have since noticed a lot of media is getting stuck inside the cases. Anybody have any idea why that could be?

That's because you bought the coarse grit (12) media - https://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-coarse-grade-walnut-shell-blast-media-92150.html

Buy the fine grit (24) media and you won't have that problem - https://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-fine-grade-walnut-shell-blast-media-92155.html

Also what cleaning additives have y'all tried with dry media?

You probably meant "polishing" additive.

Walnut media "cleans" black carbon fouling by scrubbing sharp cut edges against the brass surface. The sharp cut walnut edges don't really "wear" rather get dirty and using used cut up dryer sheets help collect black carbon fouling to extend the life of media before needing to be replaced.

Many use NuFinish to treat walnut media to help with polishing the brass faster. I usually add 2 capfuls and run the vibratory tumbler while stirring to speed up distribution of polish (Wet polish will clump the media and leave spots on brass surface). I add additional capful of polish like every few tumblings before adding brass.

Keep in mind that you want to run the polish treated media on the "dry" side as wet polish will clump the media and won't polish brass.

If you want mirror shine brass, corn cob media does a better job of polishing (walnut cleans better/quicker) and some mix 50/50 walnut/corn cob for best of both worlds.

 

[Pat Riot]

For the past few years I use the Lyman “green” corn cob media. I don’t add anything to it and it lasts a long time. I tried cleaning it up with drier sheets but I really didn’t notice any difference.
I use it until it takes twice as long to get the same shine on my brass as new media then I just toss it.

 

[sfl_gunner]

Thanks for the suggestions. I used the nu-finish and dryer sheets. I guess the biggest issue is how coarse the media is.

 

[GW Staar]

Zoro.com corn cob media....20-40 grit..... lifetime supply for cheap. Only problem.....I discovered stainless steel media and a Thumblers. So I have used very little of this.....for dry it works great....but slow. Best to start it tumbling before work in the morning and let it run all day. Evening is bling time. I used a used dryer sheet, cut in 1" squares, and a capful of Dillon Brass Polish..... All dry media makes hazardous dust when you separate the brass....wear a mask....and separate outside.

Walnut is a little faster but doesn't polish as bright.....but still not as fast as wet....not by a lot shot.

Wet does it in 2 hours, 3 for really tarnished stuff...2 second squirt of dawn liquid dish soap and a .45 caseful of Lemishine goes in with the S.S. media. Rinseing & Separating, I do in the laundry sink....another half hour, then I lay it out to dry over night on an old beach towel.

 

[9mmepiphany]

some mix 50/50 walnut/corn cob for best of both worlds.

I started with corncob and moved the walnut (lizard bedding) for a faster clean. Ended up using the 50/50 mix as a good compromise.

I use dry tumbling much less since I switched to wet tumbling...large loads faster; more shinny...but when I needed new dry media I bought some Buckwheat Groats which seem to stay sharper. I still add Nu Finish for extra shine

 

[GW Staar]

I started with corncob and moved the walnut (lizard bedding) for a faster clean. Ended up using the 50/50 mix as a good compromise.

I've heard of people doing 50/50 with corncob and walnut, but wouldn't that be like adding 120grit media to 400grit media on a piece of sandpaper? You'd get speed but you'd also get 120grit scratches in your 400grit sanded surface. So then your Nu Finish might polish out the 400grit scratches, but I doubt the 120grit scratches would polish out so good? That's my building contractor experience rearing it's ugly head.... That's also why I quit walnut after my first try with it.......I got clean but no bling!

I might use walnut for really bad brass.....then do it again with Nu Finish in Corncob. But that'd take even longer. I'm with you.....once I went wet, running dry is rare....in fact I only use dry for 15 minutes of lube removal.

 

[Bazoo]

I use cabelas tumbler made by berrys. It has some polish with it I use. Works okay. I let it run overnight. It don't clean the inside of the cases so I'm going to build a wet tumbler for that and for bad tarnished brass.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I use the coarse walnut from Harbor freight. It don't get stick in the casings. Now and then a some will get in the flash hole. A paper clip fixes that.

 

[nettlle]

Lizard Litter and a cap full of Nu-Finish is about as simple as it gets and does an excellent job.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm with you.....once I went wet, running dry is rare....in fact I only use dry for 15 minutes of lube removal.

That's most what I use it for also

 

[LiveLife]

I've heard of people doing 50/50 with corncob and walnut ... I quit walnut after my first try with it.......I got clean but no bling!

I am using Cabela's tumbler (Same as Berry's 400) and while it has 1000 9mm bowl capacity, I typically use 600-800 cases to not slow down the vibratory tumbling action.

With Harbor Freight fine grit walnut media treated with NuFinish, 15 to 20 minutes is good enough to clean most range brass to reload. If I want polished brass, I will go an hour or so. If I want mirror polish, I will use corn cob.

If running the tumbler for more than several hours won't clean/polish your brass, it may be time to change the media.

 

[JDeere]

I use the Lyman green as well. Stuff last a very long time. Every now and then I add some wax. I found out long ago not to deprime until after cleaning/polishing. Problem solved...

 

[FROGO207]

I use the coarse walnut from Harbor freight. It don't get stick in the casings. Now and then a some will get in the flash hole. A paper clip fixes that.

I use my Lee universal decapper held in my hand. I push the pin into the primer pocket backwards (from headstamp end) while holding the brass in my other hand. Media pops rite out.

 

[Seedy Character]

Fine walnut and Nu-Finish
Have yawed it 50 years. See no need to change.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I use Lymans Tuffnut, I had a lot getting stuck in the flash holes for a few months but now the holes are staying open for the most part. The Tuffnut had very little dust in it.
I recently bought some of Frankford Arsenal's treated walnut, and it cleans well but my God the dust, it's awful for dust but it is a finer grit than the Tuffnut and doesn't get stuck in the flash holes.
As far as getting stuck inside the cases, I've never had that happen unless the inside of the case was wet.

 

[Misplacedtexan]

I use a mixture of walnut and corn cob with a cap full of nufinish, brass comes out looking new and shiny, no scratches.

 

[deadeye dick]

That's because you bought the coarse grit (12) media - https://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-coarse-grade-walnut-shell-blast-media-92150.html

Buy the fine grit (24) media and you won't have that problem - https://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-fine-grade-walnut-shell-blast-media-92155.html


You probably meant "polishing" additive.

Walnut media "cleans" black carbon fouling by scrubbing sharp cut edges against the brass surface. The sharp cut walnut edges don't really "wear" rather get dirty and using used cut up dryer sheets help collect black carbon fouling to extend the life of media before needing to be replaced.

Many use NuFinish to treat walnut media to help with polishing the brass faster. I usually add 2 capfuls and run the vibratory tumbler while stirring to speed up distribution of polish (Wet polish will clump the media and leave spots on brass surface). I add additional capful of polish like every few tumblings before adding brass.

Keep in mind that you want to run the polish treated media on the "dry" side as wet polish will clump the media and won't polish brass.

If you want mirror shine brass, corn cob media does a better job of polishing (walnut cleans better/quicker) and some mix 50/50 walnut/corn cob for best of both worlds.

And don't forget, damp media will stick to the inside of the case.

 

[THEWELSHM]

First tumbler fine walnut, by the time I finish lawns (about 2 hours) switch to other tumbler, with corn and nu shine, about 2 hours, better than new brass...not changing, I have a sonic cleaner for out door range bucket brass, to get a start on it, then dry and back to walnut and corn mate...

Thewelshm

 

[BJung]

I used crush walnut shells from the feed store. Inexpensive and it works for me.

 

[GravelRider]

I use corncob media with Iosso polish. Iosso is by far the best tumbler polish I've used... And I've used it all. I love getting a mirror finish to my brass, and that takes 8+ hours (overnight tumble) dry tumbler with corncob and Iosso. I get comments all the time about how shiny my ammo is.

Walnut gets it cleaned fast (for a dry tumbler), but makes for a dull sheen rather than a mirror finish, no matter how long it's left in.