Accessory to Brush Away Brass Particles from Primer Pocket Cleaner on RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Station

[Cassidy]

One of the steps I use in reloading is to clean out case primer pockets (not everyone does this) using the primer pocket uniformer on my RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep station. However, for each case, this requires that I brush away brass particles left on the primer pocket uniformer from the case before. Thinking about how to avoid this extra brushing step (or similarly using something else like a can of compressed air; I don't want particles flying around my case), I came up with the following idea; see the pics - kind of like a first prototype for an accessory to brush away the brass bits. You can see from the pics I fabricated a brush accessory to screw onto the imbedded brass nut on the right-top of the Case Prep station (it takes an 8-32 coarse screw). I then made a 1/2" wide steel strap into an L-shape (pic), drilled a hole for a screw to fit into the embedded brass nut, and drilled a 1/4" diameter hole adjacent to where I wanted the brush to stick out on the lower part of the strap, inserted a 1/4" diameter steel rod (all obtained at Lowe's) and welded the rod into the hole (alternatively, could have used JB weld); see pic. Then cut a segment of "Feelers Natural Latex Rubber Tubing Tube 1/4" (6mm) ID x 3/8" (9mm) OD Speargun Band Slingshot Catapult Tube Rubber Hose" which I got from Amazon, and inserted it onto the steel rod (pic). Next step was to get a small piece of 1/4" diameter wood (oak) dowel, cut a slit down the middle a short bit, then I used JB Weld to affix a brush (see pic of the brush package) into the slit after cutting off excess brush handle length and also cutting off a little off the end of the brush bristles. Once all together, it seems to work. You can seen in the pics that when I insert a case onto the primer pocket uniformer, my finger automatically pushes the brush away (the rubber tube serves as a spring-back hinge), and when done the brush swings back and clears off the brass particles. Don't know how long this will work but for now it sure beats hand-brushing away brass particles for each case. For sure there are better designs and materials for such a device, but this might be is a start. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Bc'z]

Now thats some Southern Ingenuity, I like it!!
Curious what you could do with a roll of duct tape and bailin wire??

 

[jds holler]

Almost reminds me of my invention that used a modified wiper mechanism from a Willy's Wagon and a fuzzy garter belt to keep the face flys away from my prize goat. The battery pack was the weak point, but battery tech is better these days soooo??? hmmm.

You sir are a wizard of innovation, and a man after my own heart. jd

 

[Bc'z]

Almost reminds me of my invention that used a modified wiper mechanism from a Willy's Wagon and a fuzzy garter belt to keep the face flys away from my prize goat. The battery pack was the weak point, but battery tech is better these days soooo??? hmmm.

You sir are a wizard of innovation, and a man after my own heart. jd

Fly swatter for your goat?? Lmfao
Get ahold of my buddy Justin at Batteries Plus+
I'm sure he'll have what you need. Lol

 

[madmixerman]

Lyman brass prep center comes with a brush.

 

[Cassidy]

For those of you interested, I've attached a pic of the brush package which has the source cited. I used this brush because it has a metal tube handle which I could crush flat by hammering (to fit into the wood dowel slit), then trim off the excess handle length. This is a piano key paint brush which I had hanging around from a project a few years ago, but I think for sure there are other metal-tube-handled brushes also around.

 

[JFrank]

@Cassidy
Cool project but I’m not sure I’d want to be removing enough material to get those piles.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Great idea! Harbor Freight has what they call acid brushes that would work.

 

[Fast14riot]

Yeah, thats an acid tinning brush, should be available in any plumbing section where the soldering supplies are. But thats a great idea!

 

[Cassidy]

If you fabricate one of these brush devices, please be aware that it will be helpful to keep a small gap between the green wall of the Trim Mate and the downward arm of the L-shaped steel strap (see the gap in the pic). This small gap allows you to rotate/adjust the steel downward arm a few degrees to position the brush where you want it on the primer pocket uniformer, then tighten the steel strap screw to keep it there.

 

[nmkid]

After I finish uniforming the pockets I just give the case a couple of taps on my bench and they are clean.

 

[Cassidy]

nmkid - please be aware that brass pieces left on top of the primer pocket uniformer will cause the next case primer pocket to be cut to a lesser depth resulting in variable primer pocket depth cuts. Also, such brass pieces left on the primer pocket uniformer cutter may also cause inconsistencies in the depth and diameter cut. All of this adds variance and may or may not affect group sizes.The aim of the brush is to avoid this matter.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

People still uniform primer pockets?

 

[Mike Casselton]

If you fabricate one of these brush devices, please be aware that it will be helpful to keep a small gap between the green wall of the Trim Mate and the downward arm of the L-shaped steel strap (see the gap in the pic). This small gap allows you to rotate/adjust the steel downward arm a few degrees to position the brush where you want it on the primer pocket uniformer, then tighten the steel strap screw to keep it there.

View attachment 1596617

If you add a small spring, then the brush will automatically return to the cleaning position between pocket uniforming.

 

[Cassidy]

Mike - the gap between the downward steel strap and the green side of the Trim Mate allows adjustment of the downward steel strap so the brush is at the cleaning position you want. The rubber tube automatically returns the brush to that cleaning position. As you indicated, a spring may work similarly.