Sonic vs. Thumbler brass cleaner

[nmkid]

Have decided to buy my first brass cleaner that doesn't use walnut media. Grandson sad ,"welcome to the 21st century". LOL. Anyway, trying to decide whether to go sonic or stainless steel pins. I have a question on the sonic cleaners. I see, in reading some literature, that the unit produces some heat. How much?? If it's a lot...Any records of them overheating and causing a problem? Also, thinking on the frankford arsenal platinum series rotary tumbler. Good price and it brings the ss pins.

 

[memilanuk]

Some of the US cleaners specifically come *with* heaters... usually hot water with detergent works better for cleaning than cold. I originally got one of the cheap Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight brand) units... it worked... on a very small scale. Could only do about 10-15 .308 Win cases at a time. Add up multiple cycles, with solution, with clean distilled water, etc. etc. plus drying time it proved to be a pretty good time sink. Effective, but not very efficient.

Later I got a lightly used Branson model off e-Bay that had a mechanical timer, two transducers - each more powerful than the one on the HF unit - and built-in heater. Had some ability to suspend containers, so changing out solutions was much easier. Definitely worked 'better', but was still limited by capacity - maybe 25 cases at a time.

The Thumler's Tumbler... for me holds about 100 pcs of .308 Win, 150-200 of .223, 50 of .338LM... tumble time of about 1 hr (more for the .223, less for the .338LM), still have to rinse and dry them, but operating on more cases at a time yields a net increase in through put. That may not be an issue for some, but at times I do need to turn cases around somewhat quickly, so it matters to me. The trade-off is that the process will almost certainly peen the case mouths a little, and you'll most likely need to trim/chamfer/deburr after every cleaning. If that is already part of your routine, great. If not... it becomes another time sink.

Tumbling with just plain corn-cob isn't *that* terrible, in perspective.

 

[Preacher]

I have used a lot of them over the years and never had a problem with overheating...
I do prefer the SS pins in the Thumbler when ever I do clean my brass....

 

[Hollywood]

I use a lortone 45c tumbler. Here is a link to one I found on a quick search on ebay. I use 2lbs of SS pins and stuff it full with what ever type of brass you need cleaned.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222129537895

This is where I got my pins from also. He has a video on his site using a very large lortone tumbler.
Bullseye Reloading - Home of Stainless Steel Tumbling Media
http://www.bullseye-reloading.com/

 

[Sniper338]

Stainless pins and tumbler will clean better hands down.

Sonic cleaners good for parts... heater turns off when it gets to a certain temp... or mine does. Both are good to have imo...

 

[NorCalMikie]

Tumbling with just plain corn-cob isn't *that* terrible, in perspective.

Gets the brass looking like new. SS pins will get the primer pockets clean as well. SS pins can get your brass TOO CLEAN. May take lube inside the necks to make bullet seating easier. Sonic IMHO just doesn't get it.
Untreated corn cob works like a champ!! Treated leaves a lot to be desired. I don't bother to add ANYTHING to the cob.

 

[Mr.Knowit all]

Stainless pins and tumbler will clean better hands down.

Sonic cleaners good for parts... heater turns off when it gets to a certain temp... or mine does. Both are good to have imo...

I agree. I had a Lyman ultrasonic cleaner for about 5 years and cleaned 1000s of rounds. It finally went out last month and I will be purchasing another.