Tumbler media

[Kracken McGraw]

This used to be seriously filthy range brass ( 223rem / 5.56 x 45mm )

View attachment 1458746

I use this stuff...


View attachment 1458747

The dirtier the brass the longer I let it tumble. This batch of range brass I left tumbling for 4 or 5 hours.

The first use I use a tiny bit of brass media polish. Have to make sure it doesn't clump up by breaking it apart while tumbling with a little bit of media without brass. I've had a clump get inside a 308win case, and it almost fully clogged it. Had to use a pick to get it out.

Instead of tumbling media brass polish I've also used " Mothers California Gold car wash additive.

Here is a batch of my own 243win brass that never hits the ground... I let it tumble for 2 to 3 hours...

View attachment 1458748

Is that a Franford Arsenal bucket separator and do you like it?

 

[urbanrifleman]

I've typically used Franford Arsenal or RCBS walnut media, but I find several other possibilities:

Walnut 24 grit sandblast media (Harbour Freight)

Central Pneumatic 70 grit abrasive alum oxide media

Central Pneumatic Glass bead 80 grit media


Anybody ever tried something else to get brass good and clean.

I used to use SS pins wet tumbled but folks here said it cleans the necks inside too well, free of the carbon you need for good neck tension / lubricity for loading.

Thanx.

Use stainless steel and only clean the outside takes about 15 minutes. The brass still looks like brand new but the inside still has soot on it which keeps the lubricity of the inside of the neck.

Or better yet Just sit down in front of the TV and wipe all your cases off with some window cleaner.

 

[Dimner]

I have the franklin non bucket separator, the one that comes with a cube type enclosure that works with water based media as well (steel pins). I think they use the same rotating sphere basket thing. The tabs that hold the rubber lock closed broke after 3 weeks. I was not happy. If that had no happened, I would have been very happy with it. I am not the guy who usually breaks things... I think the tolerances of the rubber lock and the plastic molded tabs that hold it are just too tight. The plastic was the only thing that would give way.

I can still use it, and I do. It just only can turn in one direction now, and I cannot load it up too heavy without it coming open while turning. Too heavy meaning, over 125 30-06 cases. So it still does a decent amount at a time.