Ever use a washing machine to clean cases? (Am I missing something?)

[hdwhit]

A clothes dryer can be adapted to do much the same thing.

 

[Engineer1911]

Washing machine to clean brass??? I think this crosses the line between cheap and stupid. Shiny brass for reloading isn't worth "cleaning in the washing machine" , and case lube on bottle neck brass just seems like a bad idea. Some people really like liver and onions. All of it is 'none of my business' .

 

[WVGunman]

Washing machine to clean brass??? I think this crosses the line between cheap and stupid. Shiny brass for reloading isn't worth "cleaning in the washing machine"

Well, that's a bit over the top. How is it any more stupid than spending money on a tumbler that does the exact same thing? A wet tumbler is just a miniature washing machine for cases. They work exactly the same way. As for dry tumbling and vibration, both most likely throw clouds of invisible lead-laden particles into the air. That dust would be in the water the a washing machine would rinse off your cases and dispose of for you.

and case lube on bottle neck brass just seems like a bad idea.
Some people really like liver and onions. All of it is 'none of my business' .

Time to take your meds.

 

[ray15]

Time to take your meds.

Time to take your lead. I guess you've never looked inside the drum of an old washing machine. Just because you've got a rinsing action does not mean everything is going to go down the drain. Lead residue will accumulate in the drum. Very slowly, as you'll be scrubbing it off with your weekly laundry.

 

[Dudedog]

As a side note I had issues with lead from shooting at an indoor range.
To keep it short it was not fun, so I can tell you you don't want to go there.
Better safe than sorry IMO.

 

[WVGunman]

Time to take your lead. I guess you've never looked inside the drum of an old washing machine. Just because you've got a rinsing action does not mean everything is going to go down the drain. Lead residue will accumulate in the drum. Very slowly, as you'll be scrubbing it off with your weekly laundry.

Lead is water soluble. What makes you so sure it would accumulate in any quantity inside the drum? Do you have any evidence to back that assertion? If washing machines allowed ANY kind of residue to accumulate, then they couldn't be effective at actually washing clothes, either.

 

[WVGunman]

As a side note I had issues with lead from shooting at an indoor range.
To keep it short it was not fun, so I can tell you you don't want to go there.
Better safe than sorry IMO.

I hear you. I have always avoided indoor ranges for this very reason, and plan to switch to coated bullets to add another margin of safety when handling stuff at home. I really wish I still had a little shed I could use my vibrating cleaner in still.This whole washing machine debate is just the result of trying to make the best of a mediocre situation.

 

[greg_r]

People have been using washing machines for years to clean brass cases and shotgun hulls. The first time I saw it was at a laundromat where a gent was cleaning shotgun hulls. He had the mesh laundry bags filled with cases that were picked up at the skeet range and turkey shoots.

I have never cleaned brass in a washing machine, but those that do tell me the new machines are no good for cleaning brass, not enough water. They basically tie the bags of brass up in a mesh bag and stop the washing before the spin cycle.

And I agree with you about the apartments. I used to keep a studio near my work. I was complained on more than once about running a dual drum rock tumbler, and they make far less noise than a vibratary tumbler.

 

[ray15]

Lead is water soluble. What makes you so sure it would accumulate in any quantity inside the drum? Do you have any evidence to back that assertion? If washing machines allowed ANY kind of residue to accumulate, then they couldn't be effective at actually washing clothes, either.

Stop rationalizing what you've already decided and find a washing machine that's been in use for 20 years and have a look. You started this thread by asking what you are missing - I'm not going to both tell you and kill mself proving it to you. It's your health we are talking about, not mine.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Lead is water soluble. What makes you so sure it would accumulate in any quantity inside the drum? Do you have any evidence to back that assertion? If washing machines allowed ANY kind of residue to accumulate, then they couldn't be effective at actually washing clothes, either.

Uh... no, elemental lead is not soluble. The trouble starts when the very slow chemical reaction of the stuff reacting to the carbon dioxide in the water resulting in soluble lead carbonate. The unaffected lead will accumulate (to some degree) and further react giving you a constant dose on any clothing laundered in the machine.

 

[WVGunman]

Stop rationalizing what you've already decided and find a washing machine that's been in use for 20 years and have a look. You started this thread by asking what you are missing - I'm not going to both tell you and kill mself proving it to you. It's your health we are talking about, not mine.

So, you post off the top of your head, and as soon as someone expects you to back it up you hide behind "Well, this is your thread, not mine"? How convenient.

 

[WVGunman]

Uh... no, elemental lead is not soluble. The trouble starts when the very slow chemical reaction of the stuff reacting to the carbon dioxide in the water resulting in soluble lead carbonate. The unaffected lead will accumulate (to some degree) and further react giving you a constant dose on any clothing laundered in the machine.

My point, perhaps expressed unclearly, was that lead can be conveyed by water. (Ask anyone who lives in Flint, Mich.) Therefore, it seems reasonable that water can wash it off. Your post above sounds like one of the few factual statements I've seen here. However, how does it square with the fundamental purpose of a washing machine? Lead is heavy, and washing machines drain from the bottom. How could lead stay in it? Where could it accumulate that the washing and rinsing action would not remove it? I don't literally expect you to answer that question, just detailing my thought process on this, and why I have my doubts it's a big deal, as some claim. I could be wrong, I suppose.

In reality, gun shells have only trace amounts of lead. I also am a very low-level reloader, on the order of 100-200 shells a MONTH. If lead accumulates in the machine very slowly on top of that, then the risk is even lower.

 

[GEM]

First, thanks for one of the more amusing threads.

Second, the risks of contamination are well presented.

Third, it seems a bad idea in general to use your clothes oriented machine for marital and chemical reason.

Fourth, we are moving towards bickering, so let's stop that.

Is there anymore to be said beyond: Well, I want to do it, so I don't agree!

Personally, the biggest risk of vibrating tumblers is that some GD'ed bastard giant worm will try to break into your rec room. And you ain't no Burt with an elephant gun at the ready!

 

[Hunter86004]

Personally, the biggest risk of vibrating tumblers is that some GD'ed bastard giant worm will try to break into your rec room.

That giant worm has nothing on it when compared to a wife storming in to the kitchen and finding you in the process of melting lead wheel weights on the stove. There's something about the smell of burning rubber that will bring them from the farthest room in the house.

 

[Officers'Wife]

My point, perhaps expressed unclearly, was that lead can be conveyed by water. (Ask anyone who lives in Flint, Mich.) Therefore, it seems reasonable that water can wash it off. Your post above sounds like one of the few factual statements I've seen here. However, how does it square with the fundamental purpose of a washing machine? Lead is heavy, and washing machines drain from the bottom. How could lead stay in it? Where could it accumulate that the washing and rinsing action would not remove it? I don't literally expect you to answer that question, just detailing my thought process on this, and why I have my doubts it's a big deal, as some claim. I could be wrong, I suppose.

In reality, gun shells have only trace amounts of lead. I also am a very low-level reloader, on the order of 100-200 shells a MONTH. If lead accumulates in the machine very slowly on top of that, then the risk is even lower.

Particulates can hide on any ridge or uneven surface. Consider how gold "dust" can be "sluiced" from river gravel by a box with ridges on the bottom and a water stream. As pointed out before it's no particular savings in using the machine for chemical use when there are just as effective methods going from Uncle Lee's cheap & dirty air bubble water bath to commercial units specifically designed for that purpose. In the end, it's a matter of your risk tolerance, if you feel the exposure isn't enough to worry about then jump right in. I still have visions of having another child not to mention have children at home so the risk is a mile over my tolerance. If it weren't... I would have no problem visiting Flint MI...

 

[Officers'Wife]

That giant worm has nothing on it when compared to a wife storming in to the kitchen and finding you in the process of melting lead wheel weights on the stove. There's something about the smell of burning rubber that will bring them from the farthest room in the house.

You sir... let's just say I've met a lot of guys that say they don't want to live forever but you are one of the few that doesn't seem to want to see tomorrow. I would make suggestions but I'm sure your long suffering wife has made a few herself and I wouldn't want to intrude. Perhaps your doghouse is big enough for a kitchen range of your very own.

 

[Hunter86004]

Perhaps your doghouse is big enough for a kitchen range of your very own.

That was one trial learning 40 years ago. I now have a detached shop and for 40 years we've had an agreement whereby she stays out of my shop and I stay out of her kitchen if I'm doing anything stinky or dirty.

 

[Dudedog]

You sir... let's just say I've met a lot of guys that say they don't want to live forever but you are one of the few that doesn't seem to want to see tomorrow. I would make suggestions but I'm sure your long suffering wife has made a few herself and I wouldn't want to intrude. Perhaps your doghouse is big enough for a kitchen range of your very own.

Lead is heavy, and washing machines drain from the bottom. How could lead stay in it?

Think about a bathtub ring.
All the dirt etc in that ring is heavier than water, bathtub drains from the bottom.
Not saying do it or don't.
As pointed out earlier it's a risk reward issue. If you feel the risk is small enough and the reward is large enough then do it. Everybody (hopefully) considers risk/reward and makes the decision they feel is correct for them. What is correct for one person may be different than what is correct for another person, it's still sort of a free country.

 

[GEM]

Well said.

We have touched on the serious issues and pointed out the risks. We have also seen the effect of when someone wants to do something, they deny the validity of reasonable criticism. It is not a blow to your self-image to accept the critiques.