Tumbler cleaning medium

Status
Not open for further replies.
Walnut lizard litter from PetCo is what I'm using right now.

It is too small to get stuck in primer flash-holes, and gives a very high polish with just a little liquid case polish added.

rc
 
a mix of corncob and walnut, a little liquid car polish blended in now and then and some cut up used dryer sheets to trap some of the dust. I click on the Harbor Freight lamp timer that controls the tumbler and close the door to the reloading room.
 
Walnut lizard litter from PetCo is what I'm using right now.
Click to expand...

Me too, that stuff lasts really well, and I don't reload like I used to since Junior joined us. But I do find it will stick in my primer holes, they must have adjusted the crusher down a mesh size or two since I bought my bag a few years back. I add Nu-finish (out of Flitz, cheaper and works just as well in my experience) to it with every batch and run about 3-4 batches before I toss it and start fresh.
 
Lizard Litter and Nufinish here.

My regimen:
1.) Tumble in Lizard Litter & Nufinish
2.) Resize/Deprime
3.) Tumble in Lizard Litter (plain)

I keep two "batches" of Lizard Litter going, one with and one without Nufinish.

Hope this helps.
 
I primarily use walnut as it does a better job of cleaning cases. Corn seems to do a better job of polishing cases.

In a snap, dry uncooked rice does a good job of cleaning cases.
 
I'm trying mixing 70% corncob and 30% lizard litter with a cut paper towel to help with the dust- so far it seems to be working out.
 
I personally use corncob.

I would like to try the "stainless steel rods" as they clean the whole case inside and out. I haven't tried it because it needs a rotary tumbler--expensive; and while the rods are said to last "forever", they are also expensive.
 
I would like to try the "stainless steel rods" as they clean the whole case inside and out. I haven't tried it because it needs a rotary tumbler--expensive; and while the rods are said to last "forever", they are also expensive.
Click to expand...

Not really, I know they probably won't last as long as the $200 units but hey its how I started, and I used mine for 5 years and only had to replace the belt once.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-rotary-rock-tumbler-67631.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

Now all you need is the S/S media. It'll cost more than the tumbler.
 
I bought the double drum tumbler at a HF store. Seems like I paid only $39.99 instead of $49.99. The 2 belts supplied broke after just a couple of uses and I found that a heavy rubber band such as is used to hold bundles of broccoli stalks together at produce sections of supermarkets work well and hold up well. I set the tumbler out in the garage where I don't have to listen to it and just let it run all night. Using walnut shells alone does a very good job and the brass comes out looking even shinier than new.
 
i use both corn cob and walnut. I probably prefer walnut as its fine enough that it doenst plug up small cases like the 223. either will clean your brass just fine. Look at your local feed mill. You wont find either any cheaper then there.
 
RandyP
I like your idea of using the lamp timer, I forget about the tumbler running in the cabin, I've got one here somewhere, now if I can only remember where it is,,, :D

I've always used Walnut hulls, and some liquid car polish. Might try corncob someday.
 
I wired in a 12-hour wind-up timer. Usually 2-3 hours with corncob gets them pretty clean. I've accidentely left it run overnight before I put the timer on and the cases were really shiny!
My "tumbler" was made from old copier parts, some aluminum plate, and a 3# coffee can (remember 3# coffee cans?)
 
When you guys say car polish, what exactly are you using? I own a detail shop, I bet I could find something around here....
 
Nu-Finish, Liquid Turtle wax, MeGuires NX1 Liquid, basically a liquid cleaner wax/polish. Cleaner Paste wax works also but I never recommend it as Most will not think about running tumbler to break up the paste and if not it will glob inside a shell case, then they wonder why.
 
Initial: Ground walnut hull with Frankfort Arsenal polish on cases before decapping and sizing.

Final: Loaded ammunition gets 15 minutes corncob containing a couple of sprays of silicone auto polish.:what:

Yes, I'm quite familiar with the arguments that tumbling loaded ammunition may result in cartridges firing in the tumbler, or that tumbling after loading may degrade the powder. I've found neither to have validity. If a weak primer strike that dents the primer doesn't fire a cartridge, tumbling with its light impacts certainly wont. And I've critically tested control batches of loaded ammo and found no difference in velocities.

Purpose of a final tumbling: even after years of storage, the loaded ammo is still bright and untarnished...just like factory ammo! Wonder why...:rolleyes:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Cleaning case lube off cases--No Hassle!!
Replies
10
Views
4K
Smokey Joe
S
Mr_Flintstone
  • Locked
Cleaning inside cases?
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
Erief0g
Erief0g
A
  • Locked
Ultrasonic Cleaning AND Tumbler
Replies
14
Views
3K
Mike 27
M
S
  • Locked
can brass become stained?
Replies
11
Views
1K
supergoat343
S
B
  • Locked
Speaking of polishing brass...what's the better system...bucket vibrator or tumbler?
Replies
16
Views
1K
red rick
red rick
Back
Top