Handling SS Pins - Home Depot Paint Stainer

[Bayou]

Hi, All -

Here's something that could possibly be of help to SS pin wet tumblers. It's a Home Depot 5 gallon paint strainer. I have used them now for some time. The mesh is very fine - much finer than a kitchen strainer. So fine, that SS pins will not pass through. It's basically a fine mesh bag with an elastic band around the open end.

I had a problem one time when I was tumbling some 30 year old brass that had the bullets pulled. The wax from the bullet sizer had, over the years, leached into the powder, and it was caked in the brass. I didn't know this before I tumbled the brass. When I emptied the drum after wet tumbling, it was full of old Win 296 ball powder. I used the paint strainer to separate the powder granules from the pins. The mesh was fine enough to catch all of the pins, but the much smaller powder granules passed through.

I use my paint strainer often to drain water out of the tumbling drum and to catch all of the pins. After separating the pins in rotary media separator, I put the strainer over a 5 gallon bucket and dump the pins in the media separator into the bucket - the water passes through but not a single SS pin.

If a media separator is not used, the contents of the tumbler drum - brasses and pins - could be dumped in the strainer - the brass could be picked out and the pins remain in the strainer. You get the idea.........

For those of you who use a cement mixer for wet tumbling, I'm not sure if the elastic band is wide enought to fit over the mouth of the mixer - although the elastic band is pretty wide when stretched out. If so, this is one way to catch errant pins and brass that may come out of the mixer while turning.

Here's the link:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Trimaco-5-Gal-Elastic-Top-Strainers-2-Pack-11573-36WF/202061360

Just a $4 suggestion.........This paint strainer works for me...........

Bayou

 

[BCoates]

Nice. I will have to try this when cleaning my next batch of brass. I need to find a small 2-2.5 gallon bucket too.

 

[whistler]

Nice. I will have to try this when cleaning my next batch of brass. I need to find a small 2-2.5 gallon bucket too.

BCoats,I don't know what area you are from but in my area I used to be able to get something around that size from my local Kroger Store. In the Deli Dept. they get various cake mixes, icings, and toppings in these containers and they usually have tops. Some of the containers are a little smaller but let them know what you need and if someone isn't already getting them you might be in luck. Also some of the Wal-Mart Superstores might be a good place to tryas they have a deli.

 

[BCoates]

Nice. I will have to try this when cleaning my next batch of brass. I need to find a small 2-2.5 gallon bucket too.

BCoats,I don't know what area you are from but in my area I used to be able to get something around that size from my local Kroger Store. In the Deli Dept. they get various cake mixes, icings, and toppings in these containers and they usually have tops. Some of the containers are a little smaller but let them know what you need and if someone isn't already getting them you might be in luck. Also some of the Wal-Mart Superstores might be a good place to tryas they have a deli.

whistler - Thank you for the tip. I can probably find something where I work, just haven't looked.

 

[Joe R]

I use my paint strainer often to drain water out of the tumbling drum and to catch all of the pins. After separating the pins in rotary media separator, I put the strainer over a 5 gallon bucket and dump the pins in the media separator into the bucket - the water passes through but not a single SS pin.

Good one Bayou. I have been using a colander lined with a cloth suspended on a bucket to achieve the same results, your suggestion may be an improvement. I will look into it.

 

[Bayou]

Hi, Joe-

Nice set-up you have. I see you are using the collander and bucket. Rather than rely on the elastic band on the paint strrainer, what I do is to cover the mouth of the bucket with the paint strainer, push it slightly down to make a little pocket, then fasten it to the bucket rim using those little 2 handle office paper fasteners/clips. The screeen can't slip down, and all of your pins are setting in the screen pocket.

Just some ideas....

All the Best, and Happy Tumbling.....

Bayou

 

[amlevin]

If a media separator is not used, the contents of the tumbler drum - brasses and pins - could be dumped in the strainer - the brass could be picked out and the pins remain in the strainer. You get the idea.........

I do the "Pick and shake" method for real small batches I've cleaned in the pin media. A real pain and pins can get stuck inside the cases if you don't shake them or tap them against some solid surface (or against each other).

I've found it far easier to just put them in a media separator. Need a cheap one, go to Goodwill and buy a collander. Drill the holes out larger and then shake away. Can probably pick one up at Goodwill or even a Garage Sale for a couple bucks.

 

[bfoosh006]

Just an FYI... your local paint store will sell the same thing far cheaper.... I pay .57 cents per 5gal bag... they are also solvent resistant, so you can soak parts quite easily. The elastic will stretch around the top edge of a 5gal bucket.

 

[ratguner]

Great tip Bayou!!

Heading to home depot on the way home tonight

 

[Bayou]

Great tip Bayou!!

Heading to home depot on the way home tonight

You're welcome, ratguner!

Happy Tumbling....



Bayou