Thumbler Tumbler medium?

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

Wylie1

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Messages
313
Location
Shoshone Idaho U.S.A.
I've been searching and researching and ended up getting the Thumbler Tumbler model with the two 3 pounds drums, A-R2 is the model number. I got into the rock tumbler being the vibratory types always seem to have issues.

With the two drums I can have both 7.62 x 54rs and .308 cases going at the same time and can keep them separated.

I also bought some crushed walnut shells at Petsmart and have just run my first batch of .308 cases in both drums that came out clean but still have the discoloration of the annealing at the neck of the brass.

Should I add some of the aluminum oxide to the drums I have for my media blaster out in the garage to remove this discoloration or just don't worry about it as they seem pretty clean?

As well, would you think removing the spent primers before tumbling should be done?
 
Should I add some of the aluminum oxide to the drums I have for my media blaster out in the garage to remove this discoloration or just don't worry about it as they seem pretty clean?
Click to expand...

Only if you want every trace of rifling gone from your barrel!:what::eek: You could never be sure you got that harsh abrasive out of your cases. The main reason to tumble is to remove dirt and grit from your brass, not introduce more.

You just found out why the vast majority use vibratory tumblers, they're quick. Those thumblers are going to take a long time. Especially if you don't use some sort of polish in with the media,(NOT MEDIUM). Medium is half way between fast and slow, or where you go to get your palm read.:D

Secondly, plain walnut doesn't polish, it just cleans. If you want a high shine, get some ground corn cob, then load it with some polish like flitz or midway tumbler polish. A lot of folks are using nu-finish car polish.

Primer pockets don't get cleaned much by normal media, it can't get into small spaces very well. Since you now have a thumblers, you can look into the stainless media used in conjunction with water and a bit of soap. That cleans the primer pocket AND the inside of the cases.
 
+ a whole bunch on Snuffy's recommendation to look into stainless media.

I made the change a couple of months ago and won't be going back to the ground anything media.

No more dust, residual abrasive, cleaning primer pockets or such. I took a couple of damaged cases and ran them through the cleaning process. Then cut them lengthwise. The difference is like night and day. Those cases cleaned with the Stainless media are like brand new cases.

In a tumbler it takes anywhere from 4-6 hours but the results are worth the wait. The dirty water goes down the drain and there are no worries of any lead-laden dust going anywhere in the house.


The finish is more than bright enough for my needs. Somewhere between the out of the bag new brass and corncob polish. Smoother than walnut shell.
 
You can also get your media from: http://www.pelletsllc.com/. It will run you $5.00 per pound and $5.00 for shipping. $30.00 shipped for 5 lbs. Just trying to save you a couple bucks.
Woody


Keep your head low and your powder dry.
 
Thanks guys!

Okay, no aluminum oxide, I kinda like my bore the way it is!:eek:

Being I don't shoot all that much other then getting sighted in for hunting this reloading thing is probably a less then once a year type of affair. I just want to make sure it's done right and I end up with consistent cartridges when it's all said and done.

In trying to get this new rifle stabilized I've shot more rounds and cleaned more then I have in many years! Sad thing is my old Mosin just about matched a new rifle with crappy rounds going through the Mosin the last run out to the range. The more I clean and shoot this old dog the better it does too bad the scope bought the farm.

Oops! Okay I use the medium to find the deer and the media to clean the brass, this is all so confusing! LOL!

Being I can't even find good primers in town I don't think I'm trying to look for stainless steel media, thanks for the links! I guess 5 pounds should do.

I'm curious on just how much media and water should be put into each 3 pound drum? And what type and size would work the best?

I guess a big stainless steel screen strainer in the sink and some running water works for separating media from brass?
 
Last edited:
Okay, 5 pounds of 0.041" is on the way. I think I'm going to try Dawn dish washing liquid though, the stuff really cuts oil. The rust preventer for storage I will have to research some still.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top