Some time ago on this site, someone recommended tumbling brass in Zilla brand Lizard Litter. I looked into it and bought a bag of Zilla Desert Blend: Ground English Walnut Shells. I added a tablespoon of liquid polish and tumbled several hundred .204, .223, and .270 cases and it works like magic. The fine grit pours out of the cases easily and does not get stuck in primer pockets like the corn cob media I had been using. And I've never seen such a bright shine on brass. Just wanted to thank whoever it was for that tip!!
Tumbling media thank you!
- Thread starter Sniper66
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Conservidave
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what is the polish you are using? I tried tumbling with the zilla (no polish) and results are very poor a best...
2011redrider
Member
Most of us us nufinish, comes is a orange bottle at Walmart or any auto parts store for about 7 bucks a bottle. Just let it run for 10-20 minutes to work the clumps out before putting the brass in. Never found any of the lizard bedding locally, I use the fine walnut at Harbor Freight for about a buck a pound when you usea 20% coupon.
loose noose
Member
I've still got a pint of Midway Brass Polish that I've been using right along, with no problems using walnut media I got quite a few years ago. I also put a couple of cut up laundry cling free sheets in the media, which keeps the media fairly clean, and allows me to extend the use of the media over a much longer time.. My brass comes out looking like brand new.
salpal48
Member
I found Zilla To work Very good. any Liquid auto Polish will work. . I recently Tried the Harbor Freight FINE media. But very dusty. Drier shells Cut the dust down. . Reasonable with the coupon.
stopped using Pins. to much damage to the brass after Use. . Green Ceramics work Better . except for the primer pocket
stopped using Pins. to much damage to the brass after Use. . Green Ceramics work Better . except for the primer pocket
JohnnyFlake
Member
I have never tried the Lizard Litter, so I cannot comment. Over the years, I have found, that for me, the best is a 50/50 mixture of Walnut and Corn Cobb, with a couple of handfuls of 1/4" x 1/2" pieces of Ceramic Media thrown in. Then I add about 2oz of, plain old, Brasso Polish. This works like a dream. When the media gets dirty and is ready to be changed, I sift out the Ceramic Media, for continued use. The only caveat, with this mixture, is when you get some media sticking in the primer holes.
Scoutdog99
Member
A very small amount of mineral spirits will also help cut down the dust issues when using crushed walnut.
I found Zilla to be OK. I tried a bag and it cleaned about the same as corn cob blast media, and a little less aggressive than ground walnut blast media. Mebbe because of my machinist/mechanic background I settled on Corn Cob Blast Media, 14-20 grit. No pieces stuck in flash holes and I got a 35 lb. bag cheap...
2011redrider
Member
I would stay clear of the brasso, the ammonia in it is bad for the brass.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=588321
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=588321
dragon813gt
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You can add it up to the point where the media starts clumping together after distributed. I use a liberal amount to keep the dust to a minimum. The media itself will be less dusty the more you use it. It's really bad straight out of the box, Harbor Freight. But after being treated w/ Nu-Finish and mineral spirits a few times the dust dies down.
Artofgolf
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I think I was an early promotor of it.
But not the first.
From 5 years ago.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7080487&postcount=8
rc
But not the first.
From 5 years ago.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7080487&postcount=8
rc
AnselHazen
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Using the Zilla with White Diamond from auto parts store.
Cat litter
Some varieties of Blue Buffalo cat litter are made from ground up walnut shells. I haven't tried using it as a replacement for dedicated tumbling media since I've still got 15 pounds of media in bags in a drawer in my garage, but it might be easier to get and cheaper if you can pick it up at your local PetsMart or Petco and not have to pay shipping.
Some varieties of Blue Buffalo cat litter are made from ground up walnut shells. I haven't tried using it as a replacement for dedicated tumbling media since I've still got 15 pounds of media in bags in a drawer in my garage, but it might be easier to get and cheaper if you can pick it up at your local PetsMart or Petco and not have to pay shipping.
I've been using crushed walnut media from a feed store for over 6 years and learned about it back then so the idea is pretty old. I got a 50 pound bag for $17 and still have most of it unused. I thought it was a pretty good price until someone beat me out and found some blast media walnut shells for about $11-$12 for 50# shipped. I typically tumble about 10-15,000 cases per year which is about 2-3 batches a week and 3-4 pounds worth of media lasts a very long time. I add nothing but cut up used dryer sheets to pick up the soot and primer dust (lead styphnate) and the media stays clean. Any other additive will start to stick to the media and in a short while will turn it black.
Eventually, the media will start to darken and around that time you'll also see that it takes longer to clean the cases. That's the time to change it out. Some really cheap folks put the media in a cloth bag and put it in the washing machine and claim that it brings it back to life and gets it as clean as new. Not worth it in my book. It's worth $1 to simply throw it out and pour some more into the tumbler.
Eventually, the media will start to darken and around that time you'll also see that it takes longer to clean the cases. That's the time to change it out. Some really cheap folks put the media in a cloth bag and put it in the washing machine and claim that it brings it back to life and gets it as clean as new. Not worth it in my book. It's worth $1 to simply throw it out and pour some more into the tumbler.
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JohnnyFlake
Member
That has been the rumor for years & years, however, IMHO it all B.S.!
I have used Brasso for more that 20/25 years and have never, ever, experienced any type of issue with my brass!
ArchAngelCD
Member.
You can get the same results with corncob media or even better if you use the same grit size. Over the years I have found walnut cleans faster while corncob makes the brass more shiny. Just my observation so I decided to users 50/50 mix.
Average Joe
Member
I use the same stuff, works OK, but I am looking for clean, not shinny. Heck, they only get dirty again anyway.
I'll have to try some of the things posted here. Good stuff.
I've only ever used corncob and punch the primer pockets out all the time.
One thing about the ammonia.
I instruct medical gas pipe installation and the NFPA 99 Code now specifically states that no leak detectant is permitted to contain ammonia due to how it reacts with brass.
Not casings, mind you, but someone has found out it can be harmful to copper / brass.
I've only ever used corncob and punch the primer pockets out all the time.
One thing about the ammonia.
I instruct medical gas pipe installation and the NFPA 99 Code now specifically states that no leak detectant is permitted to contain ammonia due to how it reacts with brass.
Not casings, mind you, but someone has found out it can be harmful to copper / brass.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Cops found out ammonia was harmful to cartridge cases back about 1920 when they used Brasso to spit-shine the cartridges in their belt loops for inspections.
The cases will crack & split after exposure to ammonia / Brasso polish over a period of time.
It's a fact, not an old wives tail.
rc
The cases will crack & split after exposure to ammonia / Brasso polish over a period of time.
It's a fact, not an old wives tail.
rc
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