Case Tumbling

[Murray Brook]

Just purchased a used Hornady tumbler. Seems to work as it should. What I used was Lyman Tufnut. Cleaned all the media out of the case and flash hole but there is a reddish dust on the inside case walls and inside neck. Is this something I should worry about. TKS

 

[M-61]

Just purchased a used Hornady tumbler. Seems to work as it should. What I used was Lyman Tufnut. Cleaned all the media out of the case and flash hole but there is a reddish dust on the inside case walls and inside neck. Is this something I should worry about. TKS

No.

 

[Murray Brook]

Thank you

 

[jepp2]

reddish dust

At this stage the reddish dust is simply the rouge polishing compound left behind. It tends to get wiped off the exterior fairly easily.

If you asked 10 people that dry tumble, you will probably get 20 recommendations on what media is best, and what additive is preferred.

If you are happy with the tuffnut type media, keep using it. As you clean more brass, you will accumulate residue in your media. Some folks add used dryer fabric sheets added in strips to the media. It will tend to accumulate this residue. We don't use dryer sheets, so I take paper towels and tear them into about 1 inch squares and add a half a dozen or so. Also works to trap what has been polished off the brass.

 

[RegionRat]

Sometimes I am running the dry tumbler to clean dirty brass before prep, other times I am running the tumbler to remove case lube.

Neither time will the brass be completely clean or dust free, and that is okay.

Just make sure what you are seeing isn't evidence that you didn't get the bulk of the case lube off.

I have helped troubleshoot some folks who didn't run long enough to remove bulk case lube and didn't catch it. Inadvertently leaving wet lube in the cases can cause potential issues. YMMV

 

[Murray Brook]

Thanks guys for the info. In the past I used a drill and oooo steel wool to clean my cases. This is my first attempt at a tumbler and just wasn't sure about the red dust. I most certainly cleaned all the media out of the case and flash hole. Is there one media that would be better than the rest or all basically the same. TKS

 

[Murray Brook]

@jepp2
I will try your paper towel trick. TKS

 

[RegionRat]

Is there one media that would be better than the rest or all basically the same.

You will hear all sorts of opinions on tumbling media and the additives.
When you get a chance, try some corncob media and some walnut in a side-by-side and you will get a feel for those differences.
Be careful with additives and I will suggest you stay away from ones that contain ammonia.

 

[Murray Brook]

Be careful with additives and I will suggest you stay away from ones that contain ammonia.

Will do. TKS

 

[Zero333]

The more you use it the less red dust it will leave behind... You can always mix it 25 % red walnut and 75 % corn cob.

I use this stuff...

 

[nettle]

All media, no matter what it's made of, is dusty when new. If you add an additive like Nu Finish it will coat the media and the dust will go away. Media lasts a long time. I rarely change it because that little added benefit of new media is less than dealing with the dust.

 

[DHD]

Crushed walnut shells and the Nu Finish. I'll run my Thumlers vibratory outside when I change to new media as it is a seriouly dusty mess when fresh. After a couple hours I'll tear a paper towel or two in 3" wide strips throw them in and let go for another hour. Seems like a lot of time but I'd prefer not to have a dust pile in the loading area. I'll then add the Nu Finish and let it spread until the media looks dry and even then the cases may be a little dusty. I tend to blow the cases off with air and they're ready to work.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Thanks guys for the info. In the past I used a drill and oooo steel wool to clean my cases. This is my first attempt at a tumbler and just wasn't sure about the red dust. I most certainly cleaned all the media out of the case and flash hole. Is there one media that would be better than the rest or all basically the same. TKS

Here's an example of what I do cleaning the necks and shoulders of 100 cases with steel wool after annealing, then tumbling with medium grain rice to remove Imperial sizing wax after sizing (cases never touch the ground as I shoot from a bench):

 

[Propbndr]

I run all my brass through my Lyman Ultra Sonic cleaner then tumble it to dry and polish it. During tumbling, I add a used dryer sheet to capture dust. I do not get any dust on my finished brass. I use walnut shells from a local pet store with about a tablespoon of Lyman brass polish additive. Walnut shells from the pet store are much cheaper than the same stuff from a gun store. About $17 for 10 pounds.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

I spread out an old towel and place brass from the tumbler (after removing media from inside cases) on it, fold one side over and roll cases in bulk with flattened hands for a minute or so. Removes most all the dust quickly. I also use a dryer sheat, only cut in half, laying eash half in the bottom of the tumbler on opposite sites then spread brass on the sheets then dump in the media.

Frank

 

[NorCalMikie]

Untreated corn cobb. No red dust. Only 1 opinion.
Used dryer sheet OR paper towel? Never tried the PT but if it works?

 

[Walt Krafft]

High quality corn cob blasting media will not have any dust.

 

[Pres100]

I use dryer sheets fairly regularly which helps collect some dust, but it will never get rid of the dust completely. Same goes with adding Nufinish car polish .... helps with shine, but in my experience, not as much with dust as the polish itself will dry and break down to dust.

Best result to reduce dust I have had is pouring the media into my clamshell separator, go outside when there is a mild breeze, and pour from one half of the separator to the other from about 1-2 feet above. The heavier media will fall into the lower half and the finer dust floats away with the breeze. Repeat the process over and over until you're satisfied.

Doesn't eliminate it, but it seems to help significantly reduce it

 

[RickyK]

I bought 5 or 6 different types of media , mixed that crap together . Now everyone is right and no one wrong . Works ok to me .

 

[JLT]

Fire up the air compressor and put it to work on those dusty cases. Put the cases in a mesh laundry bag and move them around with one hand while directing the air with the other. Only takes a few seconds.