Please tell me about vibrating tumbler media ...

[nixdorf]

I just bought the Franklin Arsenal tumbler kit from midway after using an ultrasonic cleaner for 9+ months. It came with 3 pounds of corn cob media and Franklin Arsenal's "brass polish" This is my first vibrating tumbler, and I know very little about them and the media used in them, but after what I've seen so far (cleaning 1k+ cases) I'm very impressed.

Having said that, if you use a vibrating tumbler, would you mind telling me what cleaning process and media you use on your brass? I know very little about media types for certain applications. Do I use walnut shells to clean and corn cobs to polish, or what? What about when I'm just removing case lube from already clean brass?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[john16443]

MOst folks move towards ultrasonic cleaning, I'd be interested to hear why you moved to vibratory cleaning if you don't mind sharing.

I use a vibrating tumbler(s) exclusively, and use about a 50/50 mix of walnut shells and corn cob media. Toss is a capful of NuFinish car polish every so often and my bras comes out very clean on the outside. Note that primer pockets are NOT clean, and the inside of the bras is NOT clean. That's not an issue for me.

My walnut media is from Harbor Freight, bought the 20 or so pound box. Get the fine media and nothing will get stuck in the primer holes. The corn cob media is from Drillspot, it is the finer 14/20 size.

You should be able to use this mix on your already clean brass to remove the bullet lube.

I run the tumbler for 4 hours on a cheap lamp timer, toss in a used dryer sheet to help keep the media clean (optional), and change the media once a month whether it needs it or not. Brass comes out very shiny.

 

[1SOW]

I use a Cabellas vibratory tumbler and this media for pistol cases. http://www.drillspot.com/products/499763/econoline_526020g-40_40_lbs_blast_media

I have excellent results with the above media and no one delivers cheaper. I'm still working on my first 40# order. This size has never plugged a pistol primer hole in 40K+ cases cleaned.

I have tried walnut and it is a little faster to "clean tarnish", , but I don't use two tumblers and like polished/slippery/shiny cases. I tried a mix of corncob and walnut and didn't see a big advantage. Corncob works on my cases . I put in a cap full of Nu-Finish car polish with fresh media and add 1/4 capful every other batch of brass. They end up very clean and shiny after a couple of hours.
Two things I recommend are: A rotary media separator and a cheap light timer from Home Depot.

I do pre-wash my cases to keep the media clean. I use the garden hose with the nozzle on the stun setting after letting the cases soak in water with some liquid laundry detergent and just a little white vinegar for 15-20 mins. I pour this liquid out and save it for the next batch of 300+.

JMO--YMMV

 

[ranger335v]

Both cob and nut are sold because both work. People buy both because they both work; there isn't enough effective difference to matter.

My process is to pour the cases in, leave 'em until they look clean and take 'em out. I got over the fasicination with glittery cases soon after I got a tumbler in '80.

I bought an Ultrasonic (Harbor Freight, same model as Lyman's) cleaner a few years ago to use with small mechanical items and it's great for that. I also tried cleaning cases but I very quickly went back to the vib tumbler. The US requires a lot of personal attention, it can only clean a few cases at a time and they are wet when completed. I drop my cases in the tumbler and when they are finished I take 'em out and load 'em; no contest which is easier to use. Surgically clean cases add exactly nothing to a reload so it's not worth the hassle, IMHO, but we reloaders do like to play with gimmicks so the US units will continue to be sold.

 

[soloban]

You can get cheap walnut media from the pet store too. They sell it as lizard bedding.

 

[gamestalker]

I use walnut media in an Ultra Vibe 10 tumbler, and I'm never disappointed. Corn cob media has never worked well for me without having to tumble for hours and hours. My walnut media is very old and still gets the job done quickly. However, I suggest you toss in a dry sheet, my favorite way to remove media dust is to add a couple of cotton gun cleaning patches.

 

[wingman]

Lizard litter,Nu Finish car polish, cut up dryer sheets, run until clean.

 

[788Ham]

You tell 'em wingman! Thats all I use too, unless the cases are a bit dull looking, then into the corn cob for about 30 min, shiny as a new dime.

 

[Metal Tiger]

I'm of the 50/50 corn cob to walnut mix group. Along with a little Nu Finish vibrate for a couple of hours and brass looks SWEET!

Currently I have been leaving the old primers in the spent cases when I clean up the brass. I know there are other options

One tip is to make sure the brass is separated into calibers otherwise the 40's will get stuck in the 45's and the 9's will get stuck in both. Not pleasant.