[Grandpas50AE]

If there were only one caliber to shoot the cement mixer would be the ticket for sure. I am running these 3 times thru the sonic cleaner and some still have spots. I KNOW the spots don't hurt anything BUT I take pride in my handloads and the spots bother me. I am glad my wife is out of town as I have the kitchen counter covered with drying brass

I discovered recently that after wet tumbling, the brass needs a clean rinse pretty quick, otherwise it comes out clean but not as shiny and a few water spots on it. For drying, I lay it on a large towel in my loading room with the ceiling fan on for about 12 hours - works just fine and doesn't get in the way of the wife.

 

[mdell49]

WOW they sure are proud of the case cleaner, I am trying to save up for a 550C or a 750XL, that is for sure a volume cleaner thanks for the link mmk

I was going to recommend the Dillon as well but after seeing the results guys are getting with the Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler are getting and I had it to do over again I would go wet. I've gotten satisfactory results but the brass that has been wet tumbled are brighter and shiner than those I am getting with cob media and Dillon's polish.

 

[Chance-dg]

I just use the big Dillon tumblers. For wet tumbling, the Frankford Arsenal works good enough for me on occasional dirty handgun brass, but not for precision brass.

Thats good to know Tom thanks

 

[Chance-dg]

I discovered recently that after wet tumbling, the brass needs a clean rinse pretty quick, otherwise it comes out clean but not as shiny and a few water spots on it. For drying, I lay it on a large towel in my loading room with the ceiling fan on for about 12 hours - works just fine and doesn't get in the way of the wife.

I set up the sonic cleaner next to the sink and have the water running hot when I take the basket out to rinse them and I flush them out pretty good. They will be good to go in the morning.

 

[wildphil]

I set up the sonic cleaner next to the sink and have the water running hot when I take the basket out to rinse them and I flush them out pretty good. They will be good to go in the morning.

You had better not have all of that reloading equipment strung all over the house when your wife gets home. She may put a hurtin' on you.

 

[Chance-dg]

You had better not have all of that reloading equipment strung all over the house when your wife gets home. She may out a hurtin' on you.

LOL you are right my friend she never misses an opportunity Hee Hee I will clean it up while she is driving back.

 

[Plantar5]

I discovered recently that after wet tumbling, the brass needs a clean rinse pretty quick, otherwise it comes out clean but not as shiny and a few water spots on it. For drying, I lay it on a large towel in my loading room with the ceiling fan on for about 12 hours - works just fine and doesn't get in the way of the wife.

I have also seen the rinse helps in keeping that bright appearance of the brass. I got the Frankfort Arsenal brass dryer when I started the reloading endeavor last year. It works great. It should have the twist timer switch like the tumbler but doesn’t. I know towels, etc do also, but my decapping/tumbling/sifting/drying is set up in the garage where I’ve got a slop sink, so for me it works very well. I have to imagine the dryer would do a great job making jerky too…

 

[BillKilgore]

Another vote for the Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler with stainless pins. The brass comes out looking as good as new Starline brass. I use hot water, a little Dawn and a small squirt of lemon juice.

I have rigged up a 5 gal bucket as a strainer to rinse the tumbled brass. This allows me to easily rinse the inside. If you use cold water for the rinse, you will get very few water spots. I dry brass on old towels for a couple days. Super easy and you can clean several thousand rounds in a day.

 

[Chance-dg]

Thats pretty cool BillKilgore

 

[flechero]

I discovered recently that after wet tumbling, the brass needs a clean rinse pretty quick, otherwise it comes out clean but not as shiny and a few water spots on it.

Yep, that's why I use a little Armor All W&W in the final rinse water... takes care of that. (and eliminates the need for lube with handgun cases)

I also use the FA platinum tumbler- it's got a lot of capacity. (and still have the HF rock tumblers for small one offs)

 

[Chance-dg]

Yep, that's why I use a little Armor All W&W in the final rinse water... takes care of that. (and eliminates the need for lube with handgun cases)

I also use the FA platinum tumbler- it's got a lot of capacity. (and still have the HF rock tumblers for small one offs)

Is it the rotary version or the pot type?

 

[Grandpas50AE]

Yep, that's why I use a little Armor All W&W in the final rinse water... takes care of that. (and eliminates the need for lube with handgun cases)

I also use the FA platinum tumbler- it's got a lot of capacity. (and still have the HF rock tumblers for small one offs)

Here's the one I use for wet tumbling: National Metallic Rotary Case Tumbler Kit Media Separator Set (midwayusa.com)
It is gear driven, so it's relegated to the garage because it is noisy. I recently did 700 of my .45 ACP cases, and it was only about 1/3 full. I have a Dillon vibratory and an old (think 1973) Thumbler's Tumbler for dry tumbling. For dry media, I'm using corn cob with Dillon Rapid Polish 290; for wet tumbling with pins, I'm using warm water, Dawn, and Lemi-shine. Rinse with cold water and dry. I still lube the cases with Dillon case lube, but the amount used is so minimal it doesn't require cleaning the cases of the case lube after loading (one spritz from 2 feet away moving the bottle from left to right and let the mist dissipate and fall onto the cases).

 

[f1racefan]

I bought a dual drum rock tumbler from Harbor Freight. I fill the drums up a little over half with cases (not deprimed), then fill to about 1" from the top with hot water. I add a 1/2 tsp of Dawn and a 1/2 tsp of Lemishine (less is more with the cleaning liquids, trust me), then put the lids on. I let them tumble for about half an hour, then rinse in the sink until all the gunk and bits are out of the drums. I shake out as much water as I can, then put the cases in a small towel, completely wrap the cases in the towel, then shake the towel to get most of the water out of the cases. From there, the cases go into a shoebox with an attached, hinged lid. The shoebox has a small hole cut out in one end into which I fit the outlet of a hairdryer. I turn the hairdryer on low heat/low fan for about half an hour and let it run. Typically, the cases will be dry after half an hour. I used to sun dry them, or put them in the toaster oven on low heat, but the cases tended to discolor. But now that I've started using the hairdryer and shoebox, they come out very shiny with a slick surface. I've experimented with many different methods, cleaning solutions, drying methods, etc. over the years and the above method easily and consistently produces very nice results. I think the only real improvement would be to add the metal pins. But I don't require absolutely new looking cases, so it is working just fine for me as is.

 

[Chance-dg]

Is it the rotary version or the pot type?

Is it the rotary version or the pot type?

Here's the one I use for wet tumbling: National Metallic Rotary Case Tumbler Kit Media Separator Set (midwayusa.com)
Thanks for this link, I never think to look at midway and your routine. I spent too long with this little sonic cleaner although it does a great job. It is just a small capacity.

 

[Chance-dg]

I bought a dual drum rock tumbler from Harbor Freight. I fill the drums up a little over half with cases (not deprimed), then fill to about 1" from the top with hot water. I add a 1/2 tsp of Dawn and a 1/2 tsp of Lemishine (less is more with the cleaning liquids, trust me), then put the lids on. I let them tumble for about half an hour, then rinse in the sink until all the gunk and bits are out of the drums. I shake out as much water as I can, then put the cases in a small towel, completely wrap the cases in the towel, then shake the towel to get most of the water out of the cases. From there, the cases go into a shoebox with an attached, hinged lid. The shoebox has a small hole cut out in one end into which I fit the outlet of a hairdryer. I turn the hairdryer on low heat/low fan for about half an hour and let it run. Typically, the cases will be dry after half an hour. I used to sun dry them, or put them in the toaster oven on low heat, but the cases tended to discolor. But now that I've started using the hairdryer and shoebox, they come out very shiny with a slick surface. I've experimented with many different methods, cleaning solutions, drying methods, etc. over the years and the above method easily and consistently produces very nice results. I think the only real improvement would be to add the metal pins. But I don't require absolutely new looking cases, so it is working just fine for me as is.

Awesome routine, others also use the HF rock tumbler with great results thanks for the link

 

[Chance-dg]

Awesome routine, others also use the HF rock tumbler with great results thanks for the link

you just use liquid or do you add steel pins?

 

[AZdesert1911]

Rock tumbler,... Frankford tumbler,... makes diff, a tumbler is a tumbler.

When I first researched Stainless Steel cleaning, I read about liquid Armorall Wash and Wax with Lem-Shine in hot water. That was quite a few years ago, got perfect results and haven't changed anything since.

Cases with pulled primers have pockets shiny new, to match the inside of the case, all the way down to the base!!

I mentioned a hanging nylon mesh/screen "food dehydrator rack" for drying brass over night,... but, I forget (sometimes) I live in the southwest dessert,... not everyone lives in a hot and dry part of the country.

I have never rinsed, which allows the Wax portion of the Armorall product to remain as a protective coating,... and keeps them shiny for years.

BUT!
I only clean my own brass,... no range pickups,... all bagged after shooting until cleaning. I don't know if heavily tarnished brass will have the same results.

I size after cleaning, takes less lube when needed and reduces the possibility of grit/carbon on the case, to scratch the interior of my dies.

My original Vibrator cleaner, from way back when, became relegated to Moly coating bullets,... that's about all it is good for now, after getting the results I got from wet and Stainless Steel tumbling.

all the best

 

[flechero]

Is it the rotary version or the pot type?

it's the large rotary version... holds a lot of brass!

Amazon.com: Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler with 7-Liter Capacity, Clear Viewing Lids, and Auto Shut-Off for Reloading, Cleaning and Wet Tumbling Brass Cases : Industrial & Scientific

Buy Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler with 7-Liter Capacity, Clear Viewing Lids, and Auto Shut-Off for Reloading, Cleaning and Wet Tumbling Brass Cases: Finishing Products - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

It is gear driven, so it's relegated to the garage because it is noisy.

Mine too... it;s a noisy sucker but it's a beast of a tumbler

When I first researched Stainless Steel cleaning, I read about liquid Armorall Wash and Wax with Lem-Shine in hot water. That was quite a few years ago, got perfect results and haven't changed anything since.

same here. Except I do a quick rinse in clean water with a dab of W & W after separating, which eliminates my need for lube on handgun cases- and the cleanup afterward!

 

[Chance-dg]

Rock tumbler,... Frankford tumbler,... makes diff, a tumbler is a tumbler.

When I first researched Stainless Steel cleaning, I read about liquid Armorall Wash and Wax with Lem-Shine in hot water. That was quite a few years ago, got perfect results and haven't changed anything since.

Cases with pulled primers have pockets shiny new, to match the inside of the case, all the way down to the base!!

I mentioned a hanging nylon mesh/screen "food dehydrator rack" for drying brass over night,... but, I forget (sometimes) I live in the southwest dessert,... not everyone lives in a hot and dry part of the country.

I have never rinsed, which allows the Wax portion of the Armorall product to remain as a protective coating,... and keeps them shiny for years.

BUT!
I only clean my own brass,... no range pickups,... all bagged after shooting until cleaning. I don't know if heavily tarnished brass will have the same results.

I size after cleaning, takes less lube when needed and reduces the possibility of grit/carbon on the case, to scratch the interior of my dies.

My original Vibrator cleaner, from way back when, became relegated to Moly coating bullets,... that's about all it is good for now, after getting the results I got from wet and Stainless Steel tumbling.

all the best

Thanks AZ I lived in Montana for 25 years and dry as a bone there too most of the year so brass dried really fast. Here in Tennessee I depend on the AC and a ceiling fan plus a few hours to get cases completely dry. I have heard of using the Armor All in the rinse water to keep the protective coating on the brass. I too size after cleaning and I decapp before cleaning, I have removed the decapping rods from all my sizing dies. That keeps all the dirt and grit out of my die sets. Its a couple extra steps but works for me. Now to get a set up for volume cleaning.

 

[markwell]

Grumpy

Back in the day Mickey Fowler and the CA IPSC crowd he shot with actually did clean their brass in a cement mixer. But back then everyone shot .45ACP so sorting was not a problem.