Tumble time

[ZWCoffindaffer]

I usually supersonic clean my brass then go through sizing process and what not. Then I toss it in the vibratory tumbler for about 3 hours. I use corncob and some nufinish. How long do you guys tumble for and with what media? My brass usually gets pretty shiny but sometimes it hazes over after a few days on the shelf or after reloading process.

Again,
I would love to hear what you guys use for media and how long you tumble! Also is there a way to prevent hazing after reloading or sitting on the shelf?

 

[joem1945]

I clean my brass in a Thumbler rotary tumbler with walnut shells. The Thumblers have a rubber drum and run quiet so I may let it run overnight or sometimes a day or two. I have aRCBS sidewinder rotary but it's noisy. Vib tumblers are quiet loud so i don'r use it much.

 

[ZWCoffindaffer]

Really you run it that long?

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Add a cap full of Nu-Finish Car Polish to your corn. The brass will stay shiny for many months.

 

[ZWCoffindaffer]

I do use nufinish with my corncob. I've been happy with the results I just can't stop the hazy look after i finish loading. I almost wish there was a way to safely tumble loaded rounds :/

 

[orionengnr]

I usually supersonic clean my brass

What is "supersonic" cleaning? Do you own an F-15?

 

[ZWCoffindaffer]

Sonic cleaning. Not sure how I ended up with the word super in front of it. It's hard to proof read what I type when on the iPhone and not the computer. Haha. And I sonic clean with a Hornady sonic cleaner. Great little machine. Come with my press as a promo at cabelas.

 

[gamestalker]

I have different grades and mixes of media I use depending on where I am in the process.

So for just knocking off the grit in preparation for the resizing step, I use some inexpensive HF walnut, that was I don't feel bad when I have to thrown it away.

Once I've finished the brass preparation, such as sizing, turning, and trimming, I tumble them in some HF media to remove any lube that might sill exist, not the same batch I use for the initial tumble for grit removal. I let them tumble in Lyman treated Walnut for as long as it takes to make them look super nice. Then I transfer them to some Lyman corn cob for several hours to finish. All in all, and because I use a Thumbler, I'll sometimes tumble for 24 hours on the final phase.

BTW, I've tried just about every possible way to get the HF media to work as well as the expensive Lyman media, but it just hasn't worked well for polishing.

GS

 

[AzShooter1]

I use a Dillon tumbler and walnut shells with a little of their tumbling liquid. I tumble after every range session because I believe it makes my ammo load better and helps accuracy.

It only takes 2 hours to tumble all my brass. Then it looks new.

 

[rcmodel]

I use and old Dillon vibratory tumbler.

I use Zilla brand lizard litter from PetCo.
It is fine ground walnut shell, too small to get stuck in flash holes, except very occasionally.

I use Flitz brand tumbler polish.

I tumble about 3 hours, and the brass comes out looking like new.

Then I reload it and tumble the loaded ammo again for 15-20 minutes to get the case lube & fingerprints off.
(Don't do it with grease lubed lead bullets!)

By then it looks better then new.

And stays that way for a very long time.

rc

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use untreated corncob and Nufinish. My shortest time is probably 2 hours. I usually just turn it on and let it run while I am out...maybe 2 hours...maybe 12.

 

[Reefinmike]

Two hours in a vibratory tumbler with walnut and a healthy dose of my mineral spirits/nufinish solution. any dirty new to me range brass gets an ultrasonic clean begore tumbling. Most of my own fired brass comes out of the gun pretty darn clean.

I have gotten into the habit of wearing a glove on the hand thats touching brass when reloading. Latex gloves work but they get my hands soggy feeling. I use a nice thin elastic light duty work glove. The bottom side of the glove is rubberized and the top is vented mesh. They are very comfortable and can be found at lowes near the inside entrance for the outdoor area. 3 pair for $5.

 

[chris in va]

Good grief guys! I just throw it in a Harbor Freight tumbler with walnut media for two hours and call it good.

 

[AZAndy]

Two hours in a vibrating cleaner with half walnut, half corncob, a splash of car polish, and a dryer sheet torn into strips.

 

[MrBorland]

To answer your question, when I tumble, I tumble for 2.5 - 3 hrs.

Then I toss it in the vibratory tumbler for about 3 hours

I have to ask...why? The brass is clean after ultrasonic cleaning. Tumbling leaves tumble residue on the cases, so your US-cleaned brass may not be as shiny, but it was likely cleaner before it went into the tumbler. If it were me, and I'd want to do both, I'd tumble first.

 

[Nature Boy]

I also use the Dillon vibratory bowl, corn cob bits and NuFinish car wax. How long usually depends on when I remember to turn it off

 

[340PD]

Old, old Dillon tumbler. Lizard Litter from the pet store. Cap of Nu Finish every once in awhile. Two hours max.
Easy Peasy.

 

[Nature Boy]

Thanks to the OP, I have a new term now when beginning to prep brass, it's "tumble time"