Question about mineral spirits

[Daniel1120]

Ive heard alot of talk about adding a little to a batch of brass in the tumbler, but I have never heard of a recomendtion for it, nor could I find one in the archives. I googled it and it looks like there are all different kinds for different applications. So what kind is good for tumblers? Any place to get it quickly and cheaply? How much should I be adding?

 

[33rowdy]

I don't know if its wright or wrong but I do it once in awhile. I put some in a PowerAid pop bottle and it goes on a tumbler. Then I fan the brass dry and all good to go. The attempt was to loosen some crud inside the brass befor I put it in media. It works some.

 

[rondog]

It's essentially paint thinner. A lot of people use it as a degreaser and parts cleaner, but I've found it too weak for that. You'll want the odorless kind, or you'll regret it. Muy stinky.

Not sure what the point is to putting it in a tumbler, other than to keep the dust down. I've done it, but didn't really see any difference. Start small, like a capful, and let it mix in with the media for awhile before you put any brass in, or it'll just clump up.

 

[ReloaderFred]

A couple of capfuls will take the buildup on the inside of the tumbler bowl and mix it with the corn cob media. I sometimes do this when I'm going to change the media out. I'll put a little paint thinner in the old media and let it run for about an hour. The corn cob will absorb the softened buildup and it goes out with the old media.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Gatofeo]

I add about a Tablespoonful of Ronson lighter fluid to the media with each load. Helps cut the grease and oil and leaves the cases squeaky clean.
It's also good for degreasing chambers. Fits easily in a range bag and the flip-up spout makes it easy to dampen a patch without spills.

 

[ranger335v]

"So what kind is good for tumblers? Any place to get it quickly and cheaply? How much should I be adding?"

1. Anything that says "oderless paint thinner".

2. Walmart, in quart cans for not much. A lot less expensive than lighter fluid.

3. An ounce or so. It evaporates fairly quickly so add some each new day.

 

[Daniel1120]

Thanks for the answers.

 

[PCJim]

Daniel, I used to use unscented mineral spirits but have switched to paint thinner as it does the same excellent job of cleaning at a much more reasonable cost. In my experience, your cases WILL come out much cleaner and shinier than using media by itself or media + polish. Use 2-3 tablespoons of either NS or PT to a full bowl of walnut media, available at Walmart in the pet department. Let it tumble by itself for 10-15 minutes to evenly distribute itself before adding your brass. For the record, I tumble in a garage where odors will not create a problem for the living quarters.

 

[Shoney]

Mineral spirits is packaged under several names besides mineral spirits. If you buy oderless paint thiner, Stoddard Solvent or mineral spirits, you have purchased the same thing. A rose is a rose is a rose.