Using Lyman media in a RCBS tumbler?

[Michael R.]

Hello,
Well last night the reloading Santa paid a visit and I got a RCBS tumbler and Lyman media. I was wondering if I could use it in the tumbler because on the box it states :

Use RCBS Formula 1 Walnut Shell Media for quick thorough cleaning or our Formula 2 Corn Cob Media for a polished shine. Ask for it at your local dealer.

I am wondering if they put that so you can only use RCBS media.. Anyhow, will it be safe to use the Lyman media in an RCBS tumber?
Thanks
I hope all of you had a very merry and safe Christmas.

 

[kelbro]

Marketing. Any media will work. Pet shop media will save you a few bucks.

 

[CSA 357]

it will be fine, i get mine at the pet store as lizard littler its crushed walnut shells

 

[k4swb]

They would naturally push their own products.
You should be able to use whatever media you wish, even Lizard Litter.

Remember that if you add any polishing liquid to the media, such as NuFinish car polish, a little goes a long way and very important, run the tumbler with no brass long enough to let the media dry enough that it doesn't clump any more or you will have some hard packed media in the cases.:banghead:

 

[Michael R.]

Ok. Thanks guys.

 

[rcmodel]

You can use Cheerios if you want to.

Media is media.
The brand of media has nothing to do with anything.

rc

 

[buck460XVR]

You can use Cheerios if you want to.

Original, or the Honey-Nut variety?

 

[jcwit]

You can use Cheerios if you want to.

now thats a thought!

 

[BYJO4]

The media will work fine. Start cleaning brass today.

 

[Michael R.]

BYJO4,
The brass is cleaning as you speak. I just checked it about 10 minutes ago and it looks good. The only problem is is that I don't have any case polish.

 

[rcmodel]

Most of the Lyman media is pre-treated with polish.

If it's red, it is Walnut shell with red rouge polish on it.

If it is green, it is corn cob with finer green rouge on it.

If it is natural brown, it is untreated corn cob.
In which case, you need to go to Wallyworld and buy a bottle of Nu Finish auto polish.
Just a couple of cap fulls the first time, and less each time after that.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/tumblers/tumbling-media.php

rc

 

[JohnM]

Yeah, most of the walnut and corn cob you'll find in gun shops is already treated with a polishing agent.
Most people want it, so most places sell it.
Around here it's kind of hard to find any media untreated in gun shops.
probably can get more for it too.

 

[Michael R.]

I guess I will have to pick some up. Thanks RC and JohnM

 

[Canuck-IL]

Run a cap worth of mineral spirits into the media, mix well before adding cases. Polishes just fine.
/Bryan

 

[Michael R.]

UPDATE: I just took the cases out of my tumbler and they looked nice. However, some of the 223 was stuck in the 44 special brass and some of the 9mm was stuck in the 44 special brass. I just threw those away because I did not want to damage my brass. I also will not tumble all of the different cases at once, I will tumble them seperately. So are there any tips or tricks on how to get rid of this problem?

 

[rcmodel]

If one caliber case will fit inside another caliber case, it will!
Don't mix them together.

Or, I think Lyman or somebody sells a mesh bag.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/618687/lyman-turbo-tumbler-brass-baggies-package-of-12

There was no need to throw away the stuck cases.

A little fiddling & tapping will have them apart in no time flat.

rc

 

[Michael R.]

Ok. Thanks RC. I think I was just being a little too cautious on my cases.

 

[JohnM]

I never run more than one size of brass at a time, or try not to.
One time I got some 357 mixed with .30 Carbine, or visa verse.
Those things sleeve together perfectly!
I bet they were all mated up before I walked across the room.

 

[jcwit]

If wishing to clean/polish 2 different sized cases at the same time, use an onion bag to put the larger cases in to keep them seperated.

 

[Metal Tiger]

Some of us learn the hard way. Me especially:

Try dumbing in half a can of wet polish into the media then add 500 cases of 9mm and 500 of 40 cal brass. Tumble till they are all stuck together then:banghead:

So learn from my mistake. Do as K4SWB has suggested and when using a small dab of in wet polish in your media, run the tumbler at least 15 minutes without brass untill all of the polish is mixed in with no clumps before adding your brass. Second, as also suggested, separate your brass into caliber batches. I'm just sayin.

I use a 50/50 mix of corn cob to Walnut ratio. But, I don't think it really matters a wit.