Graswsman, tumble before? after? before and after?
I do not have a universal de-primer, I remove primers when I size, partial neck size, neck size and neck size with partial case body size, the number one reason for cleaning brass is to clean the case to protect the die and chamber, I tumble first then size/decap, tumble again to remove lube. I have spent time getting ahead, meaning when I load I am not waiting for the tumbler to finish, the other reason for tumbling, appearance, I make a tool for that, the same tool can be used when loading test cases or cases that are formed or to be formed (20 cases), it takes less time to polish 20 than tumble 100.
Condition, getting ahead, I have acquired brass that no one wanted to clean, some would require days of tumbling, again I use vinegar in a 3 gallon jar to clean 'seasoned' brass, maximum time is 15 minutes then wash, it would be rare for me to tumble for more than 1 hour. Cleaning with vinegar, acid attacks the zinc after it gets past the dirt, in the old days, before the Internet, reloading equipment manufactures recommended diluted H2SO3, this process pickled? the brass for long time storage, and turned it black, rather than dilute the acid, I started with a diluted form of acid.
What is the best way? I do not have a clue, if I had an observation it would be the way someone else processes and cleans brass, their way in their opinion is the only way.
F. Guffey