Flakes of tumbler media stuck to inside of case

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rdtompki

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I'm tumbling my 9mm brass with Lizard Litter. I'm noticing some of the case have flakes of litter stuck to their walls. I mean these flakes are stuck; I have to scrape out if I notice them. This brass was tumbled in relative fresh litter with one of the dryer sheets thrown in to keep down the dust. Any suggestions as to the cause? We have a relatively local Harbor Freight so I can switch media pretty easily.

FWIW I'm lubing the case during reload with Hornady Case Lube, but I can't imagine this has anything to do with the issue.
 
If you are using carbide dies, why the case lube? Aside from that, I have tumbled my rifle cases in corncob to remove the case lube and never had any problem with sticking (except in the flash holes). Never used walnut tho...
 
New or used dryer sheet.There is nothing in the Lizard Litter that would make it stick so either there is something in your cases or the dryer sheets.Most people say used dryer sheets.I use pieces of paper shop towels dampened with mineral spirits.I use my tumbler media longer than I should when I'am done with it is a dirty mess and it still doesn't stick to the cases and I lube.The reason to lube with carbide dies is because it makes sizing much easier you only need to lube every couple cases.
 
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If you're using a brass polish with your litter, be sure to let it run for about half an hour after adding polish before you add the brass. That way it will mix thoroughly with the media and won't clump up, or stick to the brass.

I buy my corn cob media at Zoro Tools. A 40 pound bag is $25.29, and if your order totals $50.00, shipping is free. Here's the link: http://www.zoro.com/i/G1695775/

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
"...There is nothing in the Lizard Litter that would..." Nope, but that doesn't stop it from clumping in a primer pocket or case. Happens with the high priced stuff from Lyman too. Just one of the small prices we get to pay when reloading. Nothing to do with the lube, but brass polish might cause it to get sticky. No brass polish is necessary. Brass needs to be clean, not shiney.
 
I use Nu Finish and Lizard Litter and I don't have any flakes sticking in my cases. I have carbide dies and don't use any lube.
 
I can't imagine what is causing that. But I have a suggestion.

I am very familiar with stuck corn cob. I tumble my cases right after washing them in a bucket of water. And I add polish. So it is pretty common for me to get some stuck media.

I originally started baking my tumbled cases in the oven to make sure the primer pockets were completely dry. But I noticed any stuck or clogged media falls out, too. So after baking I run it through the media separator again. And I no longer find any bit of media with my cases. Maybe that would work for you.
 
Sure it's not flakes of burned powder?
Click to expand...

No, it's definitely media. Based on the thoughtful responses here's my plan
1. Case lube - I don't need the case lube, but the press runs much smoother and the sizing is actually more consistent. I lube in a ziploc bag, but I'm going to spray the inside of the bag before I add the cases; this should prevent getting case lube inside the case (where I don't need it).

2. Dryer sheets - we don't use them in the dryer, but they are an excellent suspect since I really can't imagine much case lube surviving firing and tumbling. I thought I noticed something on the cases before I added the lube, but considered it might be just the fact that they were cold. I'm going to discard the current batch of litter and re-tumble sans dryer sheet(s).

3. These cases have not been tumbled with Nu Finish or similar. I had used it previously, but actually had my lock-out die detect a powder charge on top of a clump of media. I probably didn't run the tumbler long enough after adding Nu Finish and/or too much of the product. I do like the cases been somewhat shinier and I may give Nu Finish another try.
 
FWIW I'm lubing the case during reload with Hornady Case Lube, but I can't imagine this has anything to do with the issue.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why you're getting stuck media.
I have that issue from time to time with 223 brass.
I have to check each case & make sure they're empty.

And scrape 'em clean if needed
 
Since the LL doesn't contain any sticky additives, it has to be the lube causing your problem. I would think that if you tumble them long enough, the lube will be absorbed by the media.

GS
 
That would be my suggestion. Tumble an extra hour or more and finish with a good ride in the media separator. Tumbler media is a good absorber so the longer it's in there the better.

I have read of wet tumblers throwing their freshly tumbled brass into a vibratory tumbler to help speed the drying process.
 
You said you do not used the dryer sheets in the dryer so that means you are using new ones out of the box?? If so they will put sticky stuff all over your brass and make it look worse. It's hard to remove.

Only use USED ones or just paper towels with some Nu Finsh or similar on them.

As you mentioned I would dump the current media, start with new batch some Nu finish as Fred mentioned and a splash of Mineral spirits. Should clean right up.
 
I don't understand the dust issue. My vibrators have covers. I never see any dust outside of the machine. Dust inside the machine is irrelevant. Hurts nothing.
 
I had corn media sticking in my cases, but I also add some polish to my corn media. After tumbling them to a nice shine, I roll them through the separator, and then rinse the in a colander using VERY hot water. I rinse until the casings are hot, stirring and shaking them during the rinse. I spread the casings out on a towel, and the heat they have absorbed dries them very quickly. Works very well for me, and they stay quite shiny.
 
2nd what Rule3 said.
DO NOT use new dryer sheets. Only used ones.
And how do you get your clothes to smell fresh and clean if you don't use them in the dryer? (Just kidding)
I once put a load of clothes in the dryer without putting in a dryer sheet. I sure got a good reaming for that.
I have a never ending supply of used dryer sheets.
 
And how do you get your clothes to smell fresh and clean if you don't use them in the dryer? (Just kidding)
Click to expand...

I'm retired so I only have four sets of clothing: old jeans/old tee shirts, newer jeans/new tee shirts, shooting clothes (see #2) and cycling clothes. My clothing standards have dropped somewhat from my previous aerospace industry employment;)
 
I have found that the nu-finish helps reduce the friction when sizing the cases. Perhaps you are using too much or not letting it spread out in the media prior to putting the brass in. Good luck...
 
I have had corn cob media stick in the bottom of the case, but it seems to me that the only thing in your described scenario that would attach media to the case wall would be that case lube. Your plastic bag method seems curious to me. I might do that with bullets but not brass. Lube is for the outside of the case. The only case lubing I have done is with spray One-Shot.

When in a hurry to tumble, my washed cases go into a dehydrator for a few hours. Otherwise, I had been getting corn cob clumping inside cases I was trying to reload. I have no experience with "lizard litter", assuming it is in any way materially different.
 
The plastic bag method has been around for ages. It's very efficient. And if you spray the bag, first, you get virtually no lube inside the cases.

I have been doing it since I learned about it on the forums. My first bottle of spray lube is only halfway used after 4 years. One pump can lube a hundred 223 cases.
 
I did just modify my plastic bag method, but I had not been getting flakes prior to my unfortunate use of unused dryer sheets in my tumbler. I'm down with dryer sheets as the culprit.
 
rdtompki said:
I did just modify my plastic bag method, but I had not been getting flakes prior to my unfortunate use of unused dryer sheets in my tumbler. I'm down with dryer sheets as the culprit.
Click to expand...

Use the sheets first. That will probably solve the sticky issue. Using the sheets helps keeps you media cleaner and lasting longer.
 
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