ferggie
Member
After tumbling the brass (corn cob / walnut) I end up with nice shiny brass but have a power residue on it. Do you wipe, wash or just load it at that point? Will it cause any issues?
Tumble residue
- Thread starter ferggie
- Start date
- Status
Yep - Depending on how one defines "clean", "shiny" isn't necessarily a synonym. Seems tumbling replaces the original crud with media residue (which likely contains large amounts of "original crud" from previous tumbling sessions). I posted on this issue before. Check out the pic showing how much residue comes off tumbled brass. I also determined that the brass I tumbled accumulated 3.5 grains of residue per 75 cases. Really, though, for most purposes, it doesn't seem to be a problem (although I'd recommend tumbling in a well-ventilated area, as the dust can accumulate lead).
Santa brought me an Ultrasonic cleaner this past Christmas, so I stopped tumbling altogether. Tumbling residue wasn't (and shouldn't) causing any real issues, but I compete in IDPA & USPSA with a revolver, where speedy reloads are key, and botched reloads from dirty chambers can really hurt your match. I figured anything I can do to keep my gun cleaner for longer can only help.
ferggie
Member
Tumble first then ultra sonic?
I am concerned about the build up as well (IDPA also). Should I deprime tumble them ultra sonic the brass to remove the residue from the CC and walnut media?
I am concerned about the build up as well (IDPA also). Should I deprime tumble them ultra sonic the brass to remove the residue from the CC and walnut media?
jcwit
member
Do as walkalong sayes. Then tumble and reload.
We're not into rocket science here.
We're not into rocket science here.
Well, I agree, but I wouldn't call the choice between tumbling and ultrasonic cleaning "rocket science". At first, I was simply curious as to how much residue is left after each treatment (as a matter of fact, I am a scientist, and tend to be a curious sort
), but I had a number of reasons for the switch to ultrasonic cleaning. As far as IDPA and other action shooting, squeaky clean loads may help stave off botched revolver reloads, but I suspect they'd help stave off semi-auto jams as well. They might not, but at least I knew I didn't lose time through something I could've prevented.
Also, even though I shoot a revolver, most of my live-fire practice involves reloads where the brass is dumped on the gravely ground and later picked up. No doubt, the brass picks up some abrasive stuff which tends to accumulate in the media, and on my new loads. Media residue is one thing, but I'd prefer to not blow abrasives into my gun.
Finally, I was also motivated to go ultrasonic after I tested (several times) for a high blood lead level. I don't claim tumbling is the cause, and that it will lead to high levels in anyone else, but despite taking all due care, mine are high, so I may be one of those people who accumulate lead fairly easily. Making the switch to ultrasonic just seemed prudent, and I'm happy with the results to boot.
I deprime with a Lee universal depriming die on it's own turret, ultrasonically clean, rinse, then dry. In the past, though, I've simply dumped the dirty primed cases into the tumbler and reloaded them directly.
gamestalker
member
I picked up on the dryer sheet trick and it really does reduce the dust. Prior to that I was really bothered by it and would rinse my brass in acetone or denatured alcohol, which gets expensive. But to answer your question, I don't think it has a noticable effect on the loads, at least nothing I've ever noticed.
All it's ever done to me is get my fingers a little dirty when reloading. doesn't bother me. I shoot IDPA and SASS, never had a problem. Asked my dad and grandpa, who between the two of them have almost 100 years reloading experience and they said it's never caused any problems for them.
I wouldn't worry about it unless you're a bit OCD or don't like it when your fingers get dirty.
I wouldn't worry about it unless you're a bit OCD or don't like it when your fingers get dirty.
The dryer sheet trick works wonders! Give it a shot and see how much dust it takes care of. Also, wouldn't you think that after tumbling, your sizing die would be the first thing to take the brunt of your" abrasives"?or do you size tumble, size and tumble again?
snuffy
Member
You're obsessing about nothing. As said, a USED dryer softener sheet will collect the dust which is mostly fines from the media. A paper towel cut into squares will also soak up the dust. Pouring the media form one container to another while a wind passes by can eliminate a lot of the dust.
Blue68f100
Member
If your using the corncob from pet stores it will have a lot of dust. Whats used for pets is just waste. Buy some good blast media and you will have very little dust. The addition of dryer sheets and Polish will take care of the rest.
Hondo 60
Member
Add a touch of polish & a paper towel torn into strips.
I don't like the feel of the cases when you add a used dryer sheet, but there's lots of people here that do it.
Mine always comes out just fine - No dust.
I don't like the feel of the cases when you add a used dryer sheet, but there's lots of people here that do it.
Mine always comes out just fine - No dust.
flrfh213
Member
i use a bit of liquid car wax in the media and had no issues to date. the shells come out bright and shiny.
I decided to move on from walnut media and all of that dust, along with crap in my case feeder and all over my shiny new L-N-L. I ordered a stainless steel delux reloading kit from STM. I may still use the Thumler vibratory cleaner from time to time ... and will throw in a Swiffer to see if it helps to control the dust.
jcwit
member
I believe {and this is just my opinion} those that have a real problem with dust are using WAY to much polish whether it be liquid auto cleaner wax, Flitz tumbler media additive, Frankfort Arsenal brass polish, Lyman polish or any other brand. The dust is the excess polish AKA jewlers rouge.
Again this is only my opinion.
Remember, using any polish to the tumblers media the rule is less is more!
Again this is only my opinion.
Remember, using any polish to the tumblers media the rule is less is more!
gamestalker
member
JCwit, you may be right for the most part. But I don't use any polish and I would still get a pretty good amount of dust?
1SOW
Member
I wash and blast my range pick-ups with the garden hose nozzle set on stun and let dry before tumbling. This cut the "dust/crud" in my tumbler down to almost none.
Too little moisture in the corncob is the reason for 99% of dust in media that is not worn out and doesn't have too much polish in it. A few drops of water will usually cure that.
I have thought about converting to SS media, but would have trouble being patient waiting for cases to dry. I would still use corncob for small batches to load right away.
If cases come out with residue, something needs tweaking.
I have thought about converting to SS media, but would have trouble being patient waiting for cases to dry. I would still use corncob for small batches to load right away.
If cases come out with residue, something needs tweaking.
jcwit
member
And what Walkalong says, words of wisdom.
1SOW
Member
Walkalong:
Without a doubt, YOU NEED MORE CASES!
Without a doubt, YOU NEED MORE CASES!
jcwit
member
CASES we need CASES, NOW!
There his cases and he wants them now!
There his cases and he wants them now!
OldmanFCSA
Member
Walkalong: Quote:
I have thought about converting to SS media, but would have trouble being patient waiting for cases to dry.
Without a doubt, YOU NEED MORE CASES!
SS Pins.
Rinse - save pins,
Wash in hot water.
Dry with wife's hair dryer.
Done.
I have brass in all stages. Dirty range brass, clean range brass, my fired brass dirty in the shed, my fired brass clean in the reloading room, MFB clean, sized and primed in the reloading room, MFB loaded in the reloading room..............
Tumble, shake out media, load. So simple.
If I go SS, I will certainly have to do more in advance than I do now.
Tumble, shake out media, load. So simple.
If I go SS, I will certainly have to do more in advance than I do now.
oldreloader
Member
I use corn cob media. About every third tumble I add a capfull of NuFinish wax and change the dryer sheet pieces when they need it. I get shiney brass and no dust.
- Status
