Tumbler vs. Ultra sonic case cleaners?

[HDR]

Simple question. Which is better? I dont know much about the sonic case cleaner. Will it shine the cases as well as the tumblers do.

 

[navyrad8r]

HDR,
I hope this thread goes better than the vortex vs leupold one did ;D
i have tried all three methods (STM, corn cob w/ mcguires car cleaner wax, and ultrasonic) i prefer the STM hands down!! the bad news is the cost of the unit. the good news is that the thumler tumbler is built like a tank, and the media never wears out! and it does shine that brass!!. the ulresonic cleaner can leave the brass shiny too if oyu spend the time using the right products. there is a great article about using US cleaners int he forum by Jason Baney! if you send me a regular email account in a pm i will shot you some pix of what the STM can do to HXP1957 .30-06 braas that was stored wet and muddy for a year after firing. the STM is just to easy compared to ultrasonic cleaning and nd it does not leave the brass so "stripped raw" and you won't have the "stiction" inside your case necks.
i hope this helps,
cheers,
doc
p.s. i shoot a vortex viper for the rare times i shoot glass and like it alot

 

[bpratl]

I do both. Walnut tumble for the outside, resize/decap and ultrasonic for the inside, primer pockets and case lube removal.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I have and use the Thumbler Tumbler and it "is" built like a tank. Corn cobb with nothing added get the brass "real" clean. Walnut media with the polish added (rouge) leaves a fine powder that gets messy.
Everything goes in the tumbler before it sees the dies. Decap and resize then back in the tumbler to get rid of and case lube.
I don't mind picking the media out of the flash holes. Gives me another chance to inspect my brass. Range pick up brass goes in over night and comes out looking like new.
Had a Ultra Sonic cleaner but wasn't too impressed with it. Case necks got a little "too" clean for me and made for strange bullet seating.
Try Stainless Steel Media in a tumbler. You won't find anything better. JMHO, Mike.

 

[DennisH]

if you send me a regular email account in a pm i will shot you some pix of what the STM can do to HXP1957

ddjjhh@cox.net

Thanks,

 

[DennisH]

PS: Stainless Steel media "will" work in a tumbler?????

 

[navyrad8r]

Dennis check your other email account, and unfortunately the STM doesn't work in a normal vibratory tumbler, nor the rcbs sidewinder. the pins weigh a few pounds, the water weighs some more, and then the brass. that is why you must use the heavy duty thumler's model. oBTW when you wear out the belt on the thumler, use hoover vacuum cleaner belts (big o-rings) at $2 for 2 from the local hardware store!!
cheers
doc
i apologize Norcal mikie, might have had successusing the media in a normal tumbler? my post was based on what Cory from STM told me, and what i had read from another post.

 

[TonyR]

"Doc"
Which Thumler are you using. Cabela's shows one with a horizontal drum and another that stands vertically.
Thanks

 

[navyrad8r]

the thumler's tumbler model B if you go to the stm website you will see it. thone i use is horizontal. in Cabela's it should be about $180. in know it is a lot, but like i said it is built like a tank!!!

 

[NorCalMikie]

Dennis: Stainless Steel Media works "great" in a tumbler. I picked up a batch, maybe 5 pounds?
Thought I'd give it a try. First batch with all 5 pounds. Lots of work but it came out looking like new. Next batch with about half as much SS media. Maybe 50 pieces of brass, soapy water just enough to cover the media and brass. The water turns black from the powder inside the cases.
Rinse a couple of times in clean water to get the brass clean and in the oven to dry. I dry the brass on a cloth to get rid of as much water as I can before it gets in the warm oven.
And "Clean" brass works better if you plan to anneal. The heat from the torch will make the powder residue turn the case neck and shoulder black. Start with clean brass and you cases will look like new. HTH, Mike.

 

[navyrad8r]

thanks Norcal, i had wondered if it was possible, i think the weight if the mix would be too much for my vibe tunmbler. what type of vibe do you use?
doc

 

[DennisH]

Where do you get the SS media from?

 

[hoverp]

Just bought the B model Thumlers fire enginge red from Cabelas and did my first HBN coating of bullets in it..it truely is built like a tank....made for polishing large ammounts of rocks. It runs very quiet and 1 lb plastic jars of gun powder ( I used Hogdon black ones) fit just right...40 oz peanut butter jars do fit perfect as well. remember the jars must go in so they turn end over end not rolling and bumping along the hexagon walls of the tumbler.

Cant wait to get some dirty brass as I also bought the 5 lbs of STM and will use this process after decapping the dirty brass.

 

[hoverp]

http://stainlesstumblingmedia.com/

try here, and the site also has a picture of the tumbler.

 

[hoverp]

Also, I forgot to mention the NECO sive works great and is a work of art. It works very well for separating coated bullets when used with the hardened steel shot that neco sells. and will also work for seperating brass and STM post tumbling.

 

[navyrad8r]

dennis,
sorry check your other account now, i had a failure to deliver.

 

[HDR]

Doc thanks for the info. I watched a video on the STM. Looks like the price is well worth it.

HDR

 

[navyrad8r]

no worries i can send you the pix that i sent dennis if you give me a regular email account

 

[hawghunter]

Has anyone try iosso case cleaning solution ? Mark

 

[NorCalMikie]

From what I've read, SSM will not work in a vibratory unit. All it does is end up in the bottom with the brass on top. Never tried it so can't say it's fact.