I started off with Thumblers and switched over to the Frankford Arsenal. I won't ever look back. The ease of use makes it so much more appealing. Only issue I run into with wet tumbling is that it really does strip off everything down to the bare brass which looks great but oxidizes very quickly. Because of that, I put a wax coat over the brass through media tumbling after It's all shiny, clean, prepped and ready for storage.
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Wet tumbling brass
- Thread starter Flare
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If you are going to wet tumble use Brass Juice. 3oz. to 1 gallon of distilled water and then you don't need the pins. If you think you must use SS chips instead of the pins. https://www.thereloadingstation.com/products/brass-juice-case-wash This stuff is stronger than the Hornady case wash.
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Braunschweiger
Well-Known Member
Lyman Cyclone Rotary Tumbler.
I'll let you all in on a secret. I've spared no expense on my tumbling stuff. I have the dry and wet rotary tumblers. I've used walnut, corn cob, metal polish, mineral spirits...etc for the dry tumbler. I've used dawn and Lemi-shine in my wet tumbler with and without stainless steel pins... works okay.
There is literally not anything that is faster or works better than Brass Juice. By far the fastest and cleans the brass without use of any stainless steel media. I used the same gallon of mixture I originally mixed to clean over 5 loads of brass (about 600 223 cases) and they were literally spotless and shining more than new. Then I didn't have to separate media. Just put them on my Lyman brass dryer and I'm done.
I'll let you all in on a secret. I've spared no expense on my tumbling stuff. I have the dry and wet rotary tumblers. I've used walnut, corn cob, metal polish, mineral spirits...etc for the dry tumbler. I've used dawn and Lemi-shine in my wet tumbler with and without stainless steel pins... works okay.
There is literally not anything that is faster or works better than Brass Juice. By far the fastest and cleans the brass without use of any stainless steel media. I used the same gallon of mixture I originally mixed to clean over 5 loads of brass (about 600 223 cases) and they were literally spotless and shining more than new. Then I didn't have to separate media. Just put them on my Lyman brass dryer and I'm done.
Edsguns
Member
My Homemade tumbler at work:
I used to use a vibratory tumbler for all of my brass cleaning. Several years ago I bought a Frankfort Arsenal wet tumbler with stainless steel pins and it's made all the difference. It's quiet, has a large capacity, built in timer (up to three hours). Comes with straining end caps to dump out dirty water and stainless pins, but still retain the brass. It cleans the brass inside and out, including primer pockets usually better even then they come from the factory. However one question I had for the group is has anyone noticed that your cases are more difficult to resize after using the wet tumbling method? I've never stuck a case before I switched and in the few years I've used this method I've stuck 2. Which isn'ta huge number but I've noticed that resizing is more difficult now. I don't know if I'm using too much lemishine or detergent and it's acting against my case lube or what. But I've noticed a difference, just curious if any of you have had a similar experience. Thanks!
if you're doing small batches, i've got a rock tumbler from harbor freight. had it for 5+ years but i dont use it often and i only have the components for reloading .308. with both containers on it, it easily holds 50 rounds, but you could probably fit more in there. i used stainless steel pins with some dish soap and lemishine. i havent used it in a while, but it works great. i leave it running in the garage for an hour and check it to determine if it needs to go longer.
BHP9
Well-Known Member
You just need to lube inside of the neck. You have removed the carbon that was the lube for the ball.
MNbogboy
Well-Known Member
Nice job. What is the chamber made from?
Is it wrapped with rubber bands to provide traction on the drive shaft?
RetiredSniper
Well-Known Member
I just use a Chicago electric 3 pound rock tumbler. Stainless Steel Pins, hot water, Dawn dish soap and some Lemi-Shine. Works great for me. The tumbler only cost me $30 at Harbor Freight ! Works for me!!!
longrangebob
Well-Known Member
Thumlers … from Brownells/Sinclair … used to use Lyman but had to clean media residue … no comparison LRB
jvr
Well-Known Member
Franklin. No pins unless I need to clean primer pockets. No pins lemi shine and dawn. Spectacular results and no cleaning of pins. Pins are a pita.
Pauleye
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2017
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I also use the rock tumbler from harbor freight. About $60. And steel pins I use the hornady sonic cleaner or RCBS cleaner. One hour and it's clean.
Vann Kirkland
Well-Known Member
I use the Thumblers Tumbler, and absolutely love it. I purchased it at Midway.com. I use the stainless steel media with 1 tablespoon of Dawn, 1 teaspoon do Lemishine mixed in distilled water. The brass comes out looking brand new, inside and out, including the primer pockets.
