Sunray
Member
Brass doesn't need to be shiney. It just needs to be clean.
I can't get my brass shiny anymore
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jcwit
member
True, neither does my car, but I wax it anyway.
jwrowland77
Member
You do JC? If I waxed my truck it'd probably fall apart. Lol
As I pointed out in my original question, I used to get GLISTENING brass from tuffnut. All of the sudden it started coming out dull. I was wondering if anyone knew why that would be.
I'm guessing if I tumbled with tuffnut and then tumbled with corn cob, I'd prolly get the shiny brass. But I don't wanna put that much work into it. I'm just wondering why what used to work no longer does.
Mer2112
Member
Used to as in you haven't reloaded for a long time and now that you're back in to it, the brass isn't shiny any more?
Used to as in you reload regularly but one day the brass was shiny and today it's dull?
Used to as in you reload regularly and over time the brass has gradually gotten duller and dustier and you're just now noticing it?
I'd guess the media is dried out and or dirty. Go to the store and get some Nu Finish liquid car polish in the bright orange bottle. Put the media in the tumbler, drizzle a cap full in and turn it on. Let run for about 5 minutes so the polish can spread around. Dump in the shells AFTER it has had a chance to spread around.
Let us know.
Used to as in you reload regularly but one day the brass was shiny and today it's dull?
Used to as in you reload regularly and over time the brass has gradually gotten duller and dustier and you're just now noticing it?
I'd guess the media is dried out and or dirty. Go to the store and get some Nu Finish liquid car polish in the bright orange bottle. Put the media in the tumbler, drizzle a cap full in and turn it on. Let run for about 5 minutes so the polish can spread around. Dump in the shells AFTER it has had a chance to spread around.
Let us know.
If your dryer sheets are coming out tan colored, you need to keep doing this without making a judgement call. Eventually they will come out light gray which means most/all of the walnut dust is gone and it's only picking up the soot. With a fresh batch of walnut media, it takes me 3-4 batches to get rid of all the dust.
Any additives will also pick up the soot and deposit it onto the media which includes the lead salts from the primer. Mineral spirits will also add a lot of stink to where you are tumbling, yes even "Oderless" mineral spirits. I used to add NuFinish to add to the bling, but the media got really dirty a lot sooner. If I really wanted bling, I would tumble first with untreated media, then run the clean brass through a batch of treated media, but I don't care about sparkle, I just want clean so it's just one run with untreated media and it lasts a very long time.
Any additives will also pick up the soot and deposit it onto the media which includes the lead salts from the primer. Mineral spirits will also add a lot of stink to where you are tumbling, yes even "Oderless" mineral spirits. I used to add NuFinish to add to the bling, but the media got really dirty a lot sooner. If I really wanted bling, I would tumble first with untreated media, then run the clean brass through a batch of treated media, but I don't care about sparkle, I just want clean so it's just one run with untreated media and it lasts a very long time.
JohnM
Member
Years ago few of us had tumblers to polish brass. We wiped it off with a rag and reloaded it. I've still got a few boxes from the 60's put away that has brass black as the ace of spades, shoots fine.
Here is my off the wall theory.
When your media vibrates in its original container the larger particles make their way to the top while the smaller particles including dust moves to the bottom. So now you are tumbling with smaller dustier particles from the bottom of the container which leave a slight coat of dust.
OK that's the end of my wackie theory.
When your media vibrates in its original container the larger particles make their way to the top while the smaller particles including dust moves to the bottom. So now you are tumbling with smaller dustier particles from the bottom of the container which leave a slight coat of dust.
OK that's the end of my wackie theory.
I found that I can reduce the dust in the media by pouring it into another container outside when the wind is just a nice breeze. Watch a bunch of dust blow away. Pull out the tumbled brass and pour the media back into the tumbler and watch more dust blow away downwind. Seems to help in my case.
I suspect that the media may develop a small static charge while in my tumbler and cause the smaller dust particles to stick to the cases. A used dryer sheet would probably help that as well as any moisture added to the media. Maybe it could also depend on the type of plastic the drum/container/media holder is made of. Some materials may be more prone to creating static electricity. I haven't been reloading all that long like the many folks on the board, but this is just some of my thinking on it.
I suspect that the media may develop a small static charge while in my tumbler and cause the smaller dust particles to stick to the cases. A used dryer sheet would probably help that as well as any moisture added to the media. Maybe it could also depend on the type of plastic the drum/container/media holder is made of. Some materials may be more prone to creating static electricity. I haven't been reloading all that long like the many folks on the board, but this is just some of my thinking on it.
Blue68f100
Member
One thing I have noticed over the years is that the treated media does not last or work as good as non-treated. When I first started using one I went the Lyman treated media Red. But after so may cycles it just quit working. Since I have moved over to 20/40 corncob blast media. This works very well for polishing. I now do a 50/50 mix of walnut hulls blast media and 20/40 corncob. With this mix I do not have to run as long but it will not be a bright as just the 20/40 corncob. I add some NuFinish polish every so ofter to the mix. Regular blast media is better quality than the pet media. Main reason is that the pet bedding is what's left after all the good stuff is used. Does it work, yes. But you have a lot more dust and is actually a finer grit than regular blast media. The finer dust is beneficial when dealing with pet waste.
dprice3844444
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tomharkness
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What type of dryer sheets do you use?
jwrowland77
Member
tomharkness
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Question: do you think it would be possible to use all those old/spent primers in the tumbler? They are small, brass (for the most part) and are about the same size as the rice....
Steve2md
Member
only one way to find out....But there would likely be a higher chance of lead contamination from the priming compound
Zombie_Flesh
Member
I found this thread searching for TufNut - as I was concerned with the rouge on the cases. I have a question though, why a "USED" dryer sheet. I don't use dryer sheets normally for laundry (we try to be as chemical free as possible) is there harm in using new dryer sheets?
gamestalker
member
There are a few things that will degrade the ability of the media to polish brass.
Media contamination is always a problem for those that don't remove excess lube from the brass prior to tumbling. I use Dillon spray on lube, and even that stuff will degrade my media if I don't de-lube the brass.
Another common problem, and no doubt the most often encountered, is media dust. This however is very simple to resolve, kind of like self cleaning oven easy. I either toss in a used dryer sheet, or a couple small pieces of cotton balls, this will remove, and gather dust while the brass tumbles. However, make sure the dryer sheets are in fact used, other wise the stuff that's on them will just make matters worse, at least in my experience.
A lot of reloaders will add various compounds or substances to their media to bring out the shine too. But this is something I have tried and didn't personally care for, as I don't like exposing my brass to anything, but I'm sure that's just me being OCD. Mineral spirits, car wax, and some others that have been mentioned are supposed to work well. However, don't ever add anything to your media that contains ammonia.
GS
Media contamination is always a problem for those that don't remove excess lube from the brass prior to tumbling. I use Dillon spray on lube, and even that stuff will degrade my media if I don't de-lube the brass.
Another common problem, and no doubt the most often encountered, is media dust. This however is very simple to resolve, kind of like self cleaning oven easy. I either toss in a used dryer sheet, or a couple small pieces of cotton balls, this will remove, and gather dust while the brass tumbles. However, make sure the dryer sheets are in fact used, other wise the stuff that's on them will just make matters worse, at least in my experience.
A lot of reloaders will add various compounds or substances to their media to bring out the shine too. But this is something I have tried and didn't personally care for, as I don't like exposing my brass to anything, but I'm sure that's just me being OCD. Mineral spirits, car wax, and some others that have been mentioned are supposed to work well. However, don't ever add anything to your media that contains ammonia.
GS
mstreddy
Member
If you use a new dryer sheet, you will get gummed up brass from the chemicals in the sheet. Your brass may smell fresh, but it won't be clean.
As an alternative use cotton balls, as Gamestalker mentioned. Or, some folks use strips of paper shop towels, sometimes damp, sometimes dry.
As an alternative use cotton balls, as Gamestalker mentioned. Or, some folks use strips of paper shop towels, sometimes damp, sometimes dry.
berettaprofessor
Member
mstreddy, define "gummed up brass"....I've been using "new" drying sheets and haven't noticed an issue.
For everyone else, what the stress on "used" versus new dryer sheets. I'll just about guarantee the dust sticks better to "new".
For everyone else, what the stress on "used" versus new dryer sheets. I'll just about guarantee the dust sticks better to "new".
My last tumbler full of media lasted 25 years. I probably shouldn't even have changed it.
I use walnut shells and add mineral spirits. If it's not clean in 2 hours it isn't coming clean. The liquid holds the dust down too. Put to much mineral spirits in the tumbler? Not a problem, leave the lid off for 30 minutes, it evaporates.
I use walnut shells and add mineral spirits. If it's not clean in 2 hours it isn't coming clean. The liquid holds the dust down too. Put to much mineral spirits in the tumbler? Not a problem, leave the lid off for 30 minutes, it evaporates.
frankenstein406
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"Wet" media with that tuffnut seems to cause this. Either from to much mineral spirits, other additives ect. also wash out your bowl with some dish soap every once in a while.
When in doubt read what Lyman says.
Tuff Nutt is more abrasive and for really dirty brass(like rang pick up in the mud and dirt!)
Corn with additive will make brass shiny
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/faqs/tumblers_faq.php
I use the 40-50 lb bags from Zero (corn) and Walnut from Harbor freight, 50/50 with Nu Finish. Cheap and works just fine
Tuff Nutt is more abrasive and for really dirty brass(like rang pick up in the mud and dirt!)
Corn with additive will make brass shiny
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/faqs/tumblers_faq.php
I use the 40-50 lb bags from Zero (corn) and Walnut from Harbor freight, 50/50 with Nu Finish. Cheap and works just fine
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I disagree a new dryer sheet will clean the media better. The above post that said new dryer sheets won't leave a film on the brass, I also disagree there, they usually do...
Also, why use a new dryer sheet that costs good money when the used sheet you usually throw away will serve the purpose?
Also, why use a new dryer sheet that costs good money when the used sheet you usually throw away will serve the purpose?
No disrespect but I have seen similar statements before. 25 Years??
Media does not only get dirty and full of contaminates but it also looses its "edge" the sharpness if you will and does not clean as well. Leaving filthy media in the tumbler just tumbles the brass in dirt, lead and whatever. Clean media with additive will clean filthy brass in 1-2 hours.
In the over all costs of reloading fresh media costs what .05 Cents?? Guess I just don't understand not changing it. Do you wash your socks?
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