Stainless tumbling or ultrasonic?

[tonyben]

So was SS wet tumbling a fad that died out? I am tired of my vibratory case tumbler, the dust and the mess. I'm ready for something different and better.

I think I'd rather deal with a wet process that leaves my cases clean and dry instead of a dusty dry dirty process that leave my hands stained. I've been doing it that way for 20 years and I'm tired of it. I hate finding crushed walnut shells all over my bench, desk, floor, etc...

SS or ultrasonic? I load mostly 308 and I do maybe 100 cases at a time, but I've got burlap sacks full of brass, plus 5 gallon buckets full of 308, 223 and 9, 40 & 45.

I do like the fact that I can use the ultrasonic to clean gun parts too. Any recommendations on a rotary tumbler or a good quality ultrasonic cleaner. I like quality, not cheap stuff and I don't mind paying for it.

Tony.

 

[fantastic]

I have just started stainless tumbling (Frankford Arsenal) 9mm. I found the process to be a little more time consuming require a couple of 5 gal buckets to recover and sort stainless media from brass. Used the Frankford magnet accessory. I used a dillion dry media tumbler to do a sort of the stainless media from brass after initial separation. The key issue in time is sorting the stainless media from the brass and drying both brass and stainless media. I am located in SC so it is pretty humid this time of year. I used an old crock pot to dry the stainless media and the brass. I intend to acquire a brass dryer from Frankford Arsenal for the next batch.

I use to use a dry cob vibratory cleaner which left a lot of dust on the brass and seemed to sometimes retain a piece of media residue in the brass cases. I have thousands of rounds cleaned using this method.

Over all I feel that the end product of shiny clean brass with no dust residue is worth the extra time effort involved in wet tumbling. Bear in mind this is the first batch I have processed, thus I may become more efficient.

In short I find the wet tumbling to be superior to dry media. I have no experience with ultrasonic cleaners.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wet process for me. I like the mechanical cleaning action and just know ahead of time itll take some effort to sort the pins and dry. No problem for me as good as the brass looks.

 

[Poor Shot 65]

I prefer stainless tumbling - but one issue that i experience sometimes is the fact that the pins remain in the brass and can cause issues (i have bent several de-priming rods on my Dillon when reloading 9mm). I also worry what would happen to my rifle barrels if i leave a couple of pins in a piece of brass and then fire that brass.

Thanks

Adam

 

[Bill K]

For the issue of pins sticking inside cases after tumbling. Give the smaller size SS media from Sleeping Giant Brass a try, bet you will change over very fast.

 

[garandman]

Wet SS pins forever.

 

[oley55]

I can not give you a comparison between ultra-sonic and SS pin cleaning, as I have never used or had access to an ultra-sonic cleaner. But from what I have seen, the ultra-sonic cleaners appear to be only small batch capable (unless perhaps using some high dollar industrial unit).


I am very happy with the results I get using SS pins, although some additional care must be used to ensure no pins remain in the cases. Unlike someone mentioned previously, I have never had an issue with pins hanging up in the flash holes, but they will sometimes remain in the case.


The major problem is water surface tension will grab and hold a pin inside the case. I use the Dillon case separator filled to overflowing with water. If the brass is kept submerged in water, the agitation of the drum will eventually allow the pins to fall free. I do all my pin separation outside on a concrete pad and allow the water hose to continue running into the tub.


After the pin removal/rinsing, I carefully tip the tub and pour out as much water as possible and then tumble/agitate to shake loose as much water as possible. Then I dump the brass onto a large, dark colored bath towel, twist the ends and then slosh the brass back and forth in the towel until I’m tired. I then transfer the brass to another dry, dark colored towel, spread the brass out on the towel and leave it out in the sun for a couple hours. The dark colored towel and brass will heat quickly in the (Florida) sun and dry faster than spreading the brass out on a screen with fan blowing air on/through the brass. I always inspect my dark towels for an errant SS pin/s, and it is a good idea to tumble the dry brass again in a dry separator. If I do find any pins, that means I didn’t agitate/rinse long enough and I adjust my rinse methods accordingly.


More work than dry tumbling to be sure, but really nasty brass can easily be returned to as new condition. And sorry for being long winded…….

 

[garandman]

I can not give you a comparison between ultra-sonic and SS pin cleaning, as I have never used or had access to an ultra-sonic cleaner. But from what I have seen, the ultra-sonic cleaners appear to be only small batch capable (unless perhaps using some high dollar industrial unit).


.

My working theory is that the surface to be cleaned has to be exposed to the sonic waves created in order for sonic cleaners to work well. The inside of suppressor baffles and rifle cases is not so exposed.

 

[LVLAaron]

Stainless tumble.

Couple of important tips.

1. Buy a real dryer. One with heat and a fan. Don't use the oven. You can, you'll just hate the process.
2. Decap before you tumble. Makes getting water and all the pins out MUCH easier.
3. Anneal AFTER you tumble.
3. Spend a few bucks on PROPER cleaning solution. I'll get roasted for saying this. There are so many people who tumble for HOURS with dawn and lemishine or whatever concoction they come up with. Get some RCBS solution and be done in 30 minutes with the cleanest brass you've ever seen.
4. If you're loading for precision, you'll want some graphite in your necks before you seat bullets.

 

[Uncle Ed]

I started out with a vibratory tumbler, then got a wet tumbler and now have a ultrasonic cleaner.

1. With a vibratory tumbler you have to deal with media stuck in the flash holes and residue polishing compound and dust inside the cases.

2. With a wet tumbler you have to deal with case mouth peening and having to trim and deburr after tumbling. And with pistol cases sizing and expanding will leave very small brass flakes in the die and case from the peened mouth.

3. And with a sonic cleaner their is no dust or case mouth peening but the cases will not have the shine and bling as the other two methods. Just remember it will take time for the water to heat up and increase the cleaning efficiency. It takes three eight minute cleaning cycles before my heater light goes out on my sonic cleaner. Meaning the hotter the better for sonic cleaning.

I find I have been using my sonic cleaner the most, followed by the vibratory tumbler.

 

[cw308]

I used dry media for 25+ years , I read articles on wet tumbling but didn't like the idea of water in the cases . I gave it a try first with a single drum tumbler from Harbor freight and one pound of SS Pins . The brass come out like brand new , pop the primers first and it cleans the pockets as well . It's like using new brass every time . I then bought the Tumblers B Tumbler the one with the red drum . Will never go back to dry tumbling , gave all of the media and vibrator to a friend . I let them air dry

 

[cem]

Thumblers B for brass. I decap first and after tumbling separate in multistage process to get the pins out and water out of the flash holes. One of the brass drying ovens is worth it but not necessary if a heat gun or hair dryer is available. I do think it is a good idea to pull the rubberish liner and paint the metal inside the drum. That should be done with paint, electrostatic paint or powder coating before the tumbler barrel is sold and shipped. For other purposes including carbon on the bolt carrier group, muzzle device what have you ultrasonic with the appropriate cleaner at the appropriate temperature for long enough the ultra sonic is better but not for brass. I may use an small basket for small lot brass and quick turn around in an ultrasonic cleaner but generally and for bulk batches tank line style stainless pins do a better job and with an adequate tank line style process are no more trouble.

 

[Lone Hunter]

Will never media tumble again. SS pins with dawn and lemishine in hot water. Rinse with cold water. Check the cases for pins. Put in a food dehydrator for 2-3 hrs. Check again for pins. I dip the cases in graphite and bullets prior to seating. Have never used ultrasonic cleaner so I can't say about that.

 

[shortthroat]

I use ultrasonic to prepare once-fired .50 BMG military brass. I use Citronex at 1:100 dilution.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FZAR1E/?tag=accuratescom-20

I run the ultrasonic for 40 mins. at 30 C temperature processing 10 or 12 cases at a time. I find this temperature is necessary to permit decapping the sealed and crimped primers. The brass is quite dirty and comes out clean enough to process furtherby annealing, decapping, sizing, and then trimming. After removing the primer crimp I ream the flash hole and square the pocket. The LC and WCC brass is polished after trimming with a red Scotchguard pad, in the lathe.

I was using vinegar/salt in the ultrasonic but this reacts with brass metallurgy. The Citronex was recommended in the cleaning article in this site. The once-fired brass is .030 to .040 over 3.900 length, probably from M2 firing. It grows less about .010 to .015 after each firing in my M99.

 

[tonyben]

Okay then! Thumbler's model B on it's way from Midway now! It's on clearance too!

 

[Texas10]

Check out Sleeping Giant SS chips tumbling media. Won't get stuck in the brass, particularly the neck. Do a great job, especially in the primer pocket but until they've been seasoned a bit, they'll put a patina on the brass. Doesn't hurt anything, just not quite as mirror smooth a polish job. Once they break in, it's sheer perfection. Beautifully clean, shiny brass.

Be sure to get enough media for your tumbler. Need to keep those cases from banging into each other.

The RCBS cleaner is tops. Has a preservative that keeps the brass shiny longer.

I have the Harbor Freight rock tumbler. It has a rubber drum and seems to be a bit kinder on the brass, although only about 25 of the 308 size cases fit per load, unless you get the double drum model.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Did the Ultrasonic thing. Took too long and didn't get the brass as clean as I expected. Got rid on the Ultrasonic cleaner. Somebody wanted it more than I did.
Got the SS set up. Use it in my Thumblers Tumbler. Work like a champ BUT, too long in the process will wear the brass. I found "gold dust" around the drum edge.
Once clean, maybe every fourth or fifth time with the SS process. Clean untreated corn cobb get my brass clean. Some media sticking in the flash holes but picking it out of each piece gives me another chance for inspection before it gets loaded.

 

[338 dude]

So was SS wet tumbling a fad that died out? I am tired of my vibratory case tumbler, the dust and the mess. I'm ready for something different and better.

I think I'd rather deal with a wet process that leaves my cases clean and dry instead of a dusty dry dirty process that leave my hands stained. I've been doing it that way for 20 years and I'm tired of it. I hate finding crushed walnut shells all over my bench, desk, floor, etc...

SS or ultrasonic? I load mostly 308 and I do maybe 100 cases at a time, but I've got burlap sacks full of brass, plus 5 gallon buckets full of 308, 223 and 9, 40 & 45.

I do like the fact that I can use the ultrasonic to clean gun parts too. Any recommendations on a rotary tumbler or a good quality ultrasonic cleaner. I like quality, not cheap stuff and I don't mind paying for it.

Tony.

Definitely wet tumbling with a Frankford arsenal Tumblr if you want your brass as clean as brand new and I’m talking primer pockets as well this is how you need to do it

 

[338 dude]

I use ultrasonic to prepare once-fired .50 BMG military brass. I use Citronex at 1:100 dilution.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FZAR1E/?tag=accuratescom-20

I run the ultrasonic for 40 mins. at 30 C temperature processing 10 or 12 cases at a time. I find this temperature is necessary to permit decapping the sealed and crimped primers. The brass is quite dirty and comes out clean enough to process furtherby annealing, decapping, sizing, and then trimming. After removing the primer crimp I ream the flash hole and square the pocket. The LC and WCC brass is polished after trimming with a red Scotchguard pad, in the lathe.

I was using vinegar/salt in the ultrasonic but this reacts with brass metallurgy. The Citronex was recommended in the cleaning article in this site. The once-fired brass is .030 to .040 over 3.900 length, probably from M2 firing. It grows less about .010 to .015 after each firing in my M99.

Try using Dawn dish detergent liquid very sparingly and a dash of lemi shine and that’s it this is how I do it with great results that is also the recipe I use in my stainless steel wet Tumblr

 

[338 dude]

I used dry media for 25+ years , I read articles on wet tumbling but didn't like the idea of water in the cases . I gave it a try first with a single drum tumbler from Harbor freight and one pound of SS Pins . The brass come out like brand new , pop the primers first and it cleans the pockets as well . It's like using new brass every time . I then bought the Tumblers B Tumbler the one with the red drum . Will never go back to dry tumbling , gave all of the media and vibrator to a friend . I let them air dry

Try using hot water it will evaporate much faster and also a heat gun or blow dryer