Advice Needed: vibratory or rotating tumbler?

[Stud Duck]

As stated before, I'm new to reloading and now have enough once-fired brass that it's time to purchase a tumbler.

From what I've read here and on another forum, wet cleaning with pins is providing cleaner brass, especially within the case neck. Am I correct on this? If so, I was considering this tumbler https://www.brownells.com/reloading...r-stainless-steel-tumbling-kit-prod42993.aspx, however further reading and rave reviews lead me to believe this is what I want: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/7...-platinum-series-rotary-case-tumbler-110-volt. If money was no object, and you were just getting started, which tumbler would you purchase?

Is there any reason why I should use a vibratory cleaner and corncob media over wet cleaning?

Any input or advice you can provide is appreciated.

 

[Zero333]

I prefer vibratory tumbler with walnut or corncob because it's less work and inside the case neck is more consistent.

If the brass is very filthy or you don't have to do more than a thousand pieces a month then the wet tumbling is ok but I recommend some case neck graphite dip. I recommend the Redding Imperial Application Media.
It's so it reduces drag of the bullet inside the case neck.

I tried Ultrasonic cleaning and the wet tumbling and I went back to vibratory cleaning.

I tumble about 1k of pistol brass and 500+ of rifle brass every month and wet tumbling would mean a little more work for me.

 

[Big Mc]

As stated before, I'm new to reloading and now have enough once-fired brass that it's time to purchase a tumbler.

From what I've read here and on another forum, wet cleaning with pins is providing cleaner brass, especially within the case neck. Am I correct on this? If so, I was considering this tumbler https://www.brownells.com/reloading...r-stainless-steel-tumbling-kit-prod42993.aspx, however further reading and rave reviews lead me to believe this is what I want: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/7...-platinum-series-rotary-case-tumbler-110-volt. If money was no object, and you were just getting started, which tumbler would you purchase?

Is there any reason why I should use a vibratory cleaner and corncob media over wet cleaning?

Any input or advice you can provide is appreciated.

Go with the vibe. Harbor Fright. Cant beat the price. Heavy Duty Too.. Tommy Mc

 

[kris bassett]

I prefer wet tumbling. It cleans the inside of the cases and the primer pocket much better. My brass comes out looking beautiful! I built my own tumbler out of 80/20 and an old treadmill.

 

[Toejoe12]

It all depends on what you're after as your finished cleaned product? I have a Dillon vibratory tumbler with corn cob media (super quiet) I use for my precision loads as I want to leave some carbon residue in the necks and I can stay in the room and do other load work while it runs.

I have the Tumblers SS tumbler you have the link to above when I want spotless and clean to the original state of the brass. If that's what you are after you will be very satisfied with the results. My experience SS is the best method for complete cleanliness, but there are draw backs as pointed out above by Zero 333 if you are OCD about your seating tension/pressures (as I am with my competition/precision loads)

I also have an ultrasonic I occasionally use. This is my least favorite as I still have to clean the carbon from the ppockets and it gives the same neck tension issues as the SS for precision loads.

All in all, you said money was no issue so I would recommend going the Franklin Arsenol route and buy their SS and their vibratory tumbler both. You can these both for the same price as the Tumblers Tumbler. In the end the finished product will come out the same as it would regardless of brand equipment if you use it right. FA Cobb tumbler is loud compared to others on the market, but it's also well priced.

 

[retired]

i agree with above. buy a midway vib tumbler and fine ground corn cob, add nufinish car polish.
use it and see if you think you need "cleaner" brass, if you do then go with ss pins. but pins is a lot more work which includes the requirement to dry your brass. for the record..i do both.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Since you are new to reloading I advise a vibratory tumbler to start off.. They are cheap and for the most part do a good job. I have been using the same rotary/vibrating tumbler for around 40 + years.... I don't compete and this works just fine for me.. I don't see the need to tumble often but do occassionally. I place mine in the garage so I don't have to listen to it

 

[Stud Duck]

i agree with above. buy a midway vib tumbler and fine ground corn cob, add nufinish car polish.
use it and see if you think you need "cleaner" brass, if you do then go with ss pins. but pins is a lot more work which includes the requirement to dry your brass. for the record..i do both.

How much polish are we talking about and isn't the Lyman corn cob media already treated?

As far as my finished product is concerned, as ToeJoe asked, I'm not a competitor, just a hunter/novice reloader who shoots out to about 400 yards on occasion, but I'm very OCD about my accuracy; those little tiny cloverleafs on a target are like crack to me.

ETA: that was very good advice above, try the vibratory and if I need cleaner brass, then go with pins.

 

[4xforfun]

Love my RCBS Sidewinder. I have 3 different drums.....corn cob drum for cleaning, molly drum, and wax (which I don't use any more).

But, i don't use them to put a "shine" on my brass....I use it to get the sizing gunk off of them. I could care less about shiny brass!!

Tod

 

[spife7980]

Is there any reason why I should use a vibratory cleaner and corncob media over wet cleaning?

Time spent drying.

I tumble, separate my brass from media and can go straight to loading with out having to bake it in an oven, put it in a dehumidifier or letting it sit over night.

 

[chkunz]

I have tried it all and I use the Model B Thmblers Tumbler with one part Simple Green and seven parts water, tumble for two hours and dry on warm in the toaster oven. I have tried the stainless steel pins and they do a good job and speed up the process but not worth the trouble. I do not worry about carbon in the necks either way, I have not seen any data that says it is necessary but there are a lot of opinions both ways.

 

[kris bassett]

i agree with above. buy a midway vib tumbler and fine ground corn cob, add nufinish car polish.
use it and see if you think you need "cleaner" brass, if you do then go with ss pins. but pins is a lot more work which includes the requirement to dry your brass. for the record..i do both.

I use an old dehydrated to dry my brass.

 

[Bob L.]

i agree with above. buy a midway vib tumbler and fine ground corn cob, add nufinish car polish.
use it and see if you think you need "cleaner" brass, if you do then go with ss pins. but pins is a lot more work which includes the requirement to dry your brass. for the record..i do both.

I also do both and would second the advice to start out with the vibratory unit. The only thing I would add is buy a Dillon CV-750, the smaller of the two Dillon offers. Having purchased 3 cheaper units and having each of them fail after only a year, I spent the additional coin to get the Dillon 4 years ago. It's still going strong and is much quieter to boot.

If you should decide to go with stainless pins, look at the kit on www.stainlessmedia.com. It is a step up from the Thumbler and about the same price as Brownell's.

 

[chkunz]

One other point, if you try the simple green and you go beyond the 1 in 7 dilution or more than two hours the brass will start to turn color. It will not hurt anything but I do not like the looks. Anyway no need to go beyond two hours or 1 in 7, the brass will look great.

 

[retired]

DO NOT BUY TREATED MEDIA, way too expensive.
in a normal tumbler about one cap full of nufinish.

How much polish are we talking about and isn't the Lyman corn cob media already treated?

As far as my finished product is concerned, as ToeJoe asked, I'm not a competitor, just a hunter/novice reloader who shoots out to about 400 yards on occasion, but I'm very OCD about my accuracy; those little tiny cloverleafs on a target are like crack to me.

ETA: that was very good advice above, try the vibratory and if I need cleaner brass, then go with pins.

 

[retired]

a clear reason to rnn from the simple green

One other point, if you try the simple green and you go beyond the 1 in 7 dilution or more than two hours the brass will start to turn color. It will not hurt anything but I do not like the looks. Anyway no need to go beyond two hours or 1 in 7, the brass will look great.

 

[Stud Duck]

From the posts above, I'm going to go with a vibratory tumbler initially. Now, help me decide here:http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/help-me-buy-a-vibratory-tumbler.3943557/

 

[chkunz]

a clear reason to rnn from the simple green

I disagree, the simple green works great, 1 in 7 and two hours is all you need, any issues with color if you exceed these limits are only cosmetic. It is just a matter that going beyond enough does not have any benefits. Simple Green is also great for cleaning the bolt carrier group, soak the parts for eight to ten hours and the carbon removal is done.

 

[retired]

"only cosmetic" as in they are not bright and shinney clean...sort of counter productive.
you have a good day.

I disagree, the simple green works great, 1 in 7 and two hours is all you need, any issues with color if you exceed these limits are only cosmetic. It is just a matter that going beyond enough does not have any benefits. Simple Green is also great for cleaning the bolt carrier group, soak the parts for eight to ten hours and the carbon removal is done.

 

[urbanrifleman]

It is just a matter that going beyond enough does not have any benefits.

People are obsessed with shiny ammo. I have Thumbler with 10lbs of pins (that is right 10 pounds of pins). I only tumble 100 6br cases for ten minutes and they are shiny like brand new. I actually don't WANT TO clean the carbon from the inside. Carbon is slick and smooth. Slick and smooth is good. No peening. Or very little, and yes, peening case counths is very real.

Heck these days I take a 100 243/6br cases after sizing and put them in a plastic coffee can with Dawn, hot water, and Lemishine and soak and shake for 30 minutes, rinse hot water, dunk in acetone, throw in the oven on warm and I am back putting primers back in them in 15 minutes. And the ammo looks "almost" like factory, and my necks are perfect.

Tumbling is way overrated. And it can ruin your brass. I see people's brass after corn cob tumbling and it looks like someone threw up inside them. Totally have outgrown shiny brass obsession.