Tumbling bullets

[kolar55]

I just bought a Thumlers tumbler and dumped 300 cleaned, degreased bullets in it and some steel shot. Then I put in 9 grains of Danzac, put the lid on and the o-ring and started her up. The shot had been used before in the vibratory tumbler and had already been coated. I then left for work and tonight when I got home I expected t see a nice shiny bunch of sliver/grey bullets. When I opened the drum the bullets were just a dull color and the shot had been polished almost totally clean. I assume the rubber drum absorbed the Danzac? Will I need to find a plastic jar or can or something like that of the approximate diameter of the rubber drum? How do you guys do it?

 

[Killshot]

Assuming you have the Thumlers with an octagonal drum:

Most will not use the rubber-lined drum for coating. Place the bullets and mixture into hard plastic containers and put them into the tumbler.

 

[LHSmith]

Sounds like you forgot the final finish......tumbling them in an old towel to remove the excess Danzac. I also use a plastic container in the tumbler. But, I believe I am going back to using the vibratory style case cleaner.....I seem to get better results. I am also going to try using only the bullets (without media). Once the container and media are coated, I use 1.5 grains of Danzac, the very tip of a 1/4" bladed screwdriver.
Also, are you positive you have, in fact, Danzac, Tungsten Di-sulphide, and not Moly?

 

[Longtrain]

I use a 1 qt mayo jar for coating bullets. I coat the shot or BB's with WS2 first, then soak the bullets in acetone for a few minutes then drain. I have found the the bullets MUST be hot for good coating. I place them on a pie plate and into a 200 F oven for 30 minutes. Then into the mayo jar with the BB's, 10 grains of WS2 for 100 308 bullets, seal top with black tape. Place into the tumbler surrounded by small rags. Tumble for a few hours, remove and polish with an old t-shirt. My bullets look like silver bullets for killing werewolves. BTW, WS2 is Danzac or Tungsten Disulphide.

 

[LHSmith]

Ditto on degreasing first, and pre-heating bullets for best results.

 

[kolar55]

This morning I took all the bullets and shot and went back to my vibratory tumbler with the smaller containers and cranked it for about 3 1/2 hrs. They look good. So I think I'm just going to stay with the vibrater and be done with it. I guess the wife will have a new toy to play with. She can tumble some rocks or something.

 

[Longtrain]

BTW, you can fit two 1 qt mayo jars in a Thumblers Tumbler. Did a season's worth of bullets in two days.

 

[kolar55]

Wow! your Thumlers must be WAY bigger than the one I have. This one is only a 2 or 3 pounder. Anyway I did them in the Lyman Turbo and they sure do look nice-just like the ones I have done in the past. Thanks for the help.
Lonnie

 

[Longtrain]

Wow! your Thumlers must be WAY bigger than the one I have.

It's the standard one they sell for cleaning brass, I think....

http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/rotary.html. The model B.