Media Separators

[WhoKnowsWho]

So now that I have a vibratory cleaner, I guess I should get a separator too, since picking out my brass from the bowl was a bit time consuming.

So how many of you have just a sifter tray and a bucket? Or did you spend that extra $20 to get a rotary type one? Which ones are bad? There are some not too positive reviews of the Frankford Arsenal one on the Midway USA site... so I am looking at the RCBS or Dillon one. Or is the tray good enough?

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Sifting Brass

I pour my brass into an 18 inch diameter rimmed commercial metal processors 3/8ths inch welded mesh screen that will never wear out and pick out every brass to inspect them individually before going into my hand operated Star reloaders since I have sold my high volume automated commercial equipment.

Paul Jones

 

[P95Carry]

WKW ...... you could well have missed this thread of mine from not too long ago ..... do take a peek. It may well add quite a bit.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=52387

I now have a dedicated separator .... and it is well worth having IMO . I think I put a pic in that other thread.

 

[Dave R]

I just use a colander. You know--a spaghetti strainer. Flip & stir the brass and it gets the media out very nicely.

 

[Zak Smith]

I have the large Dillon tumbler which will hold around 1000 9x19 cases. A media separator is essential. It separates them in a minute or so.

The only problem I have with it is that media gets caught up in the hinge mechanism and requires a little care to keep clear.

-z

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Off to go get a Dillon Media Seperator... only $36 and no shipping since it is already at the store! Since I didn't pay for the cleaner, I guess I can splurge a little bit.

P95Carry: I think I kind of remember seeing that post a while ago! Thanks for reminding me of that list of what people do.

Knowing my luck, anything I would make that was cheap would fall apart and I would spend 10x the time cleaning up anyways.

 

[redneck2]

Just in case...

perhaps you already know, but in case you don't...primers have a very high lead content, so either use a fan or use outdoors

I used to use a collander. Using a regular separator is WAY faster, easier, and gets the media out of the primer pockets better

 

[Archie]

What redneck said...

I use one of those painter masks from the hardware store. Filters out all the crud from the media powder and lead particles.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

redneck2: Thanks for the warning, I know. I am doing it near the side door with it open. I should get some masks later just in case.

That sure was easy though. Pour, turn, done!

 

[labgrade]

Still using a mesh net bag over a 5 galllon plastic bucket.

Over the bucket, pour the media/brass combo in the the net bag & shake a minute till the media's in the bucket.

Everybody's got a bucket & the net bag cost 50 cents.

I'm sure the designed sifters are "better," but never could see the expenditure.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I went to the local hardware and got a 3' square piece of 1/4" wire mesh.

Doing some quick figuring I formed it into a cone shaped basket (measuring about 2 feet across the top and about 1 1/2 foot long) and wired the seam together.

I put it in a plastic bucket, put the cases in and periodically stir with an old plastic cooking spoon. I take the cases out side and shake it well, for good measure. Done.

Cost= Maybe, maybe a buck fifty cents.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Everybody's got a bucket & the net bag cost 50 cents.

I don't have a bucket. At least not before I got the bucket that came with the sifter!

 

[Sisco]

I used to use a kitchen colander and one of those plastic ice cream buckets, 2 or 3 gallon like they have at Baskin Robbins.
Then I got the best deal I ever made on eBay; paid $7 for a Midway strainer - no agitator, just the colander like basket. When it came in the mail there was $4 enclosed in the package, the seller said he couldn't see actually charging someone for something like that so he refunded everything but the shipping costs! Guess he never looked at a Midway catalog and saw they sell for $15 or so.
When I started using it I had to switch to a five gallon plastic bucket. To remove all the media I use both hands to stir and flip the cases. Bottle neck rifle cases usually need to be dumped one at a time.

 

[Waitone]

I use a spaghetti strainer. It forces me to hand inspect every casing. Not much of a problem with .45 ACP but .38 SPL inspections removes considerable split cases.

I have a fettish. I want my brass in good shape.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Waitone, that's not only a fetish (as you put it, lol). Brass inspection and discarding bad cases is good, good common sense. And, .38SPL seems to be one case that likes to neck split.


In the scheme of things with most brass being relatively cheap or free (range pick-ups, etc.) it just doesn't make sense in taking chances with bad cases. Life and health is worth much more than cutting corners.

BTW, my brass inspector is my wife. And if you think us men can be picky, women are sticklers for it....at least mine is.

If she says a batch has been picked over I don't even second guess her, lol.

 

[BluesBear]

I usually use one of the old green Tupperware colanders.

Also the mesh bags that oranges and grapefruits come in work well too.

 

[einnor1040]

I have one of the Midway seperators. It works great. The crank handle doesn't stay on very well, but you don't need it.

 

[swifter]

I cut the bottom out of a plastic bucket, pop riveted & epoxied in a hardware cloth bottom. It sits in a larger bucket, pour in & agitate...

Tom