Stainless Steel Media

[bigwoodsman]

Interested in purchasing some Stainless Media for my Vibratory Bowl,can someone help me on the size to buy and best price

 

[morpheus]

Stainless steel media will not work in a vibratory bowl. You need a tumbler-style setup.

 

[bigwoodsman]

Stainless steel media will not work in a vibratory bowl. You need a tumbler-style setup.

Ok thank you guess I will have to purchase one of those

 

[TMc]

I purchased double 3lb drum set up from harbor freight (marketed for stones) but it works nicely for 9mm. I think its called chicago electric. Then got some steel pins from amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-St...=B077DKQDCY&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_t

 

[TMc]

I think if you are looking to run rifle cases you may need larger tumbler like the one from franklin arsenal.

 

[K9TXS]

Whatever tumbler you go with, use the SS chips and not pins.

 

[Retired shooter]

Personally never had any trouble with pins, as others have stated. If these pins ever wear out might try chips.
No need to run tumbler for several hours, unless just absolutely dirty, filthy, oxidized range brass.

Splash of Dawn, dash of Lemi shine, I use hot water, run tumbler for 30 maybe 45 min. Dump cases in Dillon tumbler, spin each direction several times, pins fall out, remove cases ,place in pan with cold water , shake case under water, remove case ,drain water, place on old cookie sheet, either into pre heated oven that has been turned off, or outdoors in the sunshine

I always had more problems with tumbling media getting hung up inside cases with a vibratory tumbler.

Might help someone, I will probably get blasted by others. To each their own.!

 

[RCE1]

I've tried pins and had issues with them jamming tight in certain cases, requiring a pick to remove them. Then I went with the shavings and it was much less a problem. I do not use a vibratory tumbler, however. Thumbler's Model B till it gives up the ghost, then I'll switch to the FART.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Used both, steel pins can get stuck in some small diameter cases like the 223
so you need to check before you load. After they are primed in the loading block
I use a magnifier light to inspect the inside of the case, makes it very easy.

The chips are horrible when wet, they stick to the inside and outside of the cases and everything else.

 

[Bill K]

When you get ready for SS media. the small sized media that Sleeping Giant Brass sells works well and does not stick or plug up the flash holes.

 

[Retired shooter]

Tip

While the case is underwater shake it lengthwise, the moving water will help remove the pins, even on the .223. I still double check the insides of the case. Safety, Safety, Safety.

 

[TMc]

I purchased double 3lb drum set up from harbor freight (marketed for stones) but it works nicely for 9mm. I think its called chicago electric. Then got some steel pins from amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-St...=B077DKQDCY&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_t

follow up. I run 1/2 lb of .255 pins with water, dash dish soap, tea spoon citric acid, and de-primed 9mm brass in each drum, for 2 hrs. works for me.

 

[TMc]

I use a reusable coffee filter from $1 store, drop it into the drum and drain the water out (looks like these https://www.amazon.com/GoldTone-Reu...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl). Then dump out brass and pins onto drying pad or towel. I use a round magnet (about 2 inch in circumference) that I found laying around house ( I think its used to hang shit on metal front doors like wreaths and stuff) https://www.ebay.com/itm/1754919367...sF4TTcQOM6zURL1lMkk7onGg==|tkp:Bk9SR-bPh4DiYQ. I put the magnet in the plastic/metal mesh reusable coffee filter, rub it around and it picks up teh pins. Then hold the mag/coffee filter over the drum, and remove magnet from the filter and all the pins drop.

 

[jccinohio]

IIRC the Harbor Freight dual drum is rated for 3 pounds each drum.. So you put 1 pound of pins, 1 pound of water, and 1 pound of brass in each. So how much brass per drum depends on what cartridge it is.. Again IIRC for .223 it's about 70/pound, and .308 is 40/pound.

If the pins get stuck is dependent on how long the pins are.. I use the Guntap brand and have never had a problem with them getting stuck in large or small primer holes. they are .255" long, .047" diameter.

guntap Stainless Steel Tumbling Pin Media - 302/304 Stainless Steel Pins - 0.255" x 0.047"

Buy stainless steel pins for cleaning your brass at the lowest prices. We manufacture the media in-house, allowing us to pass wholesale savings on to you. These pins are designed for rotary tumblers, but may have other industrial applications.

shop.guntap.com

 

[servant403]

I've tried pins and had issues with them jamming tight in certain cases, requiring a pick to remove them. Then I went with the shavings and it was much less a problem. I do not use a vibratory tumbler, however. Thumbler's Model B till it gives up the ghost, then I'll switch to the FART.

What calibers were the pins sticking in? Im curious.
Im usually doing stuff over .35 caliber so I really have not had a problem like that. But when doing multiple calibers at once Ive had the smaller cases wedge in a larger case and be held in by the pins. Came apart easy though.

 

[servant403]

I actually think the additives to the water dont matter near as much as we think. My own opinion the cleansing action is 80-90 percent the mechanical interaction of the pins. A tiny bit of Dawn or other dish soap cuts grease. Most soaps are surfactants that facilitate dirt and grime not stick to it. I think it might be more important than the citric acid. Ive never used Lemishine. And really see no need to. Im sure it helps a bit especially in the primer pockets. I usually just put a couple capfuls of lemon juice in the mix. But whether I do or not it comes out looking like brand new. Usually running it about 60 minutes

 

[drop_point]

I've run the wet tumbler without pins, with Dawn and Lemishine and had excellent results. I also run the real dirty stuff with the pins. Without the pins, it gets 95% as clean as with them. It really doesn't make much difference in my experience.

 

[servant403]

I've run the wet tumbler without pins, with Dawn and Lemishine and had excellent results. I also run the real dirty stuff with the pins. Without the pins, it gets 95% as clean as with them. It really doesn't make much difference in my experience.

I will try it without pins. Ive done it with pins and absolutely nothing but water. And they came out real well. I actually think most of the time we are overthinking case cleaning. I think your method proves it. Ill try your method next time. It will save the step of separating the media.
I only started wet tumbling because I was shooting BPCR rifles a long time ago. And you need to breakdown Black Powder with water.

 

[drop_point]

I think you’ll be pleased. Except for range pickup brass and stuff I shoot suppressed I’m satisfied.