coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
Hey guys! I was just hoping I could get some useful advice on how you all manage your tumbling media. While I know that this is a consumable item, I'd like to extend the life of the media as much as I can (every dollar counts these days).
I've been using crushed walnut shells in my tumbler, without the addition of any kind of polishing media (I do add a couple of paper towel pieces to absorb dirt, as I was previously advised to do). I've tumbled probably around a couple thousand cases with this media so far, and I'm starting to have some serious dust issues off of this stuff; it is to the point that the casings come out with a noticeable coating of dust on them, which seems to defeat much of the purpose of cleaning them.
So, here are a few questions I have rattling around right now:
1) How much of a "tumbling life" do you get from your media? I've seen some people mention 10-20k rounds, which is far beyond what I've done so far.
2) How long do you tumble for?
3) Do you prep brass before you tumble? (ie: wash it, etc)
4) Does a polishing media control dust?
4a) If so, what can I use that WILL NOT damage the brass, and does the polish reduce the life of the media in other ways?
5) Can you do anything (other than adding paper towels, which I've done) to keep the dust down? My media seems to be cleaning powder residue still, but the brass is coming out very dusty.
6) Can you do anything to revitalize media before you toss it?
Again, I know this is a replaceable part of the reloading process, but I don't want to throw out "good" media if I'm simply missing a few key things that can save me money!
Thanks for the help!
I've been using crushed walnut shells in my tumbler, without the addition of any kind of polishing media (I do add a couple of paper towel pieces to absorb dirt, as I was previously advised to do). I've tumbled probably around a couple thousand cases with this media so far, and I'm starting to have some serious dust issues off of this stuff; it is to the point that the casings come out with a noticeable coating of dust on them, which seems to defeat much of the purpose of cleaning them.
So, here are a few questions I have rattling around right now:
1) How much of a "tumbling life" do you get from your media? I've seen some people mention 10-20k rounds, which is far beyond what I've done so far.
2) How long do you tumble for?
3) Do you prep brass before you tumble? (ie: wash it, etc)
4) Does a polishing media control dust?
4a) If so, what can I use that WILL NOT damage the brass, and does the polish reduce the life of the media in other ways?
5) Can you do anything (other than adding paper towels, which I've done) to keep the dust down? My media seems to be cleaning powder residue still, but the brass is coming out very dusty.
6) Can you do anything to revitalize media before you toss it?
Again, I know this is a replaceable part of the reloading process, but I don't want to throw out "good" media if I'm simply missing a few key things that can save me money!
Thanks for the help!