Tumbling question

[firehunter]

It has been a lot of years since I have reloaded and I have never used a tumbler before. I just "tumbled" my first batch of cases with a red medium from Lyman. I figure I need to wipe off the outside of each case to not make a mess out of my lube pad. However, what do I do about all of the dust on the inside of the case it is still making a mess when I try to the lube the inside of the neck before sizing?

 

[jcwit]

Put some used dryer sheets in your tumbler to remove all the excess polish that comes with Lyman media. After you have most of the polish removed retumble your brass hopefully removing the excess polish from the cases, both inside & out.

 

[LiveLife]

I use fine grit walnut media and NuFinish liquid car polish. No mess to clean up after tumbling and residual polish on the pistol case surface makes resizing easier (I still lube rifle cartridges for resizing though).

 

[osprey176]

Ground walnut works well,and is fairly cheap.I used to use plain long grain rice back in the day,it was cheap also,and did a great job.If you are lubing the necks you would be better off using a brush with motor mica instead of regular case lube.Less messy and you won't need to clean it off before seating the bullets.

 

[jcwit]

I was giving you advice using what you already have, but as others are advising you as to what to purchase to improve the set up you have here we go also

http://www.drillspot.com/products/521055/econoline_526040g-40_40_lbs_blast_media

40 lb. bag shipped to your door freight free, fill your tumbler 2/3rds full with the media and add a teaspoon of liquid auto polish, most any brand will work, however many lean toward Nu-Finish available at WalMart and most any auto parts stores at a very reasonable cost. This will fix you up for quite a while. The polish will deposit a polymer coating to the brass that will retard tarnish and make sizing somewhat easier.

Hope this helps.

 

[blarby]

Welcome to posting !

 

[quartermaster]

to jcwit

I read about that media from Drill Spot on this site before. I don't know who had posted it, but I am assuming it was you. I called them and ordered it. It works great. I don't miss cleaning out the flash holes at all and it cleans as good as the larger media that we all buy. I have never tried adding the nu-finish to it, but I will when I think of it.

I received it the day after I ordered it. I couldn't believe how fast the shipping was. Of course, if I needed it, with my luck it probably would have taken longer. The 40# bag is enough to fill 2 5 gallon pails and for $29, and free shipping, you can't possibly go wrong.

Thanks for the info. There are many great tips given in THR. This one ranks high to me.

 

[jcwit]

This all started "at least for me" a number of years ago when I miss ordered media from Graingers. I wanted to get 14/20 grit and misordered 20/40 grit. Graingers graciously offered to return it to their warehouse and reorder the 14/20 size. I said I'd just go ahead and try it and perhaps it would work out OK. Well of course it did, even to the extent of never having a primer pocket or flash hole problem again.

I then discovered DrillSpot which I "think" is a retail outlet for Graingers and their shipping charges are super reasonable.

I'm not trying to take credit for discovering DrillSpot or using this particular size of media, this is just how I discovered it. Others may have known about it before me, I have no idea.

Glad it worked out for you and for all the others who have tried it.

Best

 

[Blue68f100]

I have used blast media of most all kinds over the years. I have found it's less work with better results if you use the right media for the job. I use the 20/40 too, and have for years. Since I have so much as soon as my polish time goes past 2hr I replace it.

You made a good choice.....

 

[firehunter]

Thank you all for your advice. I will try ordering from drillspot and give it a try. Another question though how often should you replace the media in the tumbler? Is it good for several tumblings or should it be replaced after each use?

THANKS

 

[Blue68f100]

It last a lot longer than you will think. I normally change when it starts taking to long to do the job, >2hr normally. You will know when you reach that point. The vibrating type cleaners have an optimum load. If you have too much weight you do not get the needed movement. I have also found that if too light it does not clean as well too. Once you finish with the green treated media you will need to add polish to the corncob media.

 

[Hondo 60]

I've never used the red or green tinted stuff.
I've heard too many stories about it not working & being messy.

+1 on the drillspot.
It's a good deal & they ship it free to your door.

Welcome to The High Road

 

[jcwit]

I usually tumble alot longer than 2 hours, maybe not needed but I set mine and let it go all night. As far as how long will the media last, depends on how much you tumble, Mine is good for thousands of rounds, toss in a cut up, USED dryer sheet to collect the dust and dirt and media will last and last.

 

[firehunter]

Sorry guys, I got excited about the new media to clean my brass with I forgot to tell you how it went. I love it. It works great and does not leave the mess I got from Lyman. Thanks for all of the input.

 

[AK Gun Man 88]

How's the dust with the Fine media or Drill Spot media? How does it clean and polish compared to stainless media? Ive been leaning toward stainless because I do not have a garage and tumbling outside would be close to impossible 6-8 months out of the year (rain and snow in AK). Also I have a one year old running around and I don't want alot of dust for him.

 

[jcwit]

Frankly, I'd go with the S/S option.

I already had a tumbler "vibe type" and lots of media 70 some lbs, and am also old so I'm not going to get a complete new set up. With that said if I was just going to start and being as you have years more ahead of you and a young'un running around I'd op for the S/S media.

Little more expensive but the thumblers tumblers are top of the line.

You will get some dust, I keep mine down with mineral spirits and used dryer towels, but you will get some, and the baby is of concern which you do mention, which is good!

Best
jcwit

 

[5thSFGroup]

T throw a WalMart bag over the tumbler when it is running. Keeps any dust localized.

 

[THe Dove]

JC

Why do you use a Used dryer sheet? Would a new/good one work better? Never tried it myself, just curious.

The Dove

 

[jcwit]

For some reason the used ones work better, maybe because the weave "if you can call it that" is more open, but I'm not real sure.

T throw a WalMart bag over the tumbler when it is running. Keeps any dust localized.

Be sure you still allow for air movement for the motor, otherwise you'll burn it up before its useful life is over.