Using SS tumbling media for the 1st time. Need some input

[ptf18]

Im going to try the Stainless Steel media for case cleaning. I've read postings on various forums and came up with what I think I should start with . I'ld like any additional thoughts.

Ive got a Thumbler AR12 tumbler with the steel rubber liner barrel from a Thumbler B model.

Heres my starting "formula". 5# of Stainless Steel pins, 1 gallon of tap water, 2 teaspoons of Dawn soap and 1/4 teaspoon of LemiSHine. And 2# of brass cases.

I'll run the mix for... maybe 30 minutes and check the cases.

Thoughts?

 

[Bayou]

You are on the right track. I've been wet tumbling for over a year using the Thumler's Model B hi-speed. I switched from Dawn to auto wash & wax (Armor-All). The wash & wax leaves a small residue of wax which inhibits the return of tarnish. But Dawn certainly cleaned well - it's the return of tarnish the Armor-All helps with.

1/4 teaspoon of Lemi-Shine is spot on. I've never used any more per batch, and I've read where more will cause discoloration.

I think your tumbling time is a bit short. But then, my expectations are high- I seek impeccably clean cases - no tarnish residue anywhere, including inside, outside and primer pocket. Not everyone seeks or desires this level of result. To get this result, I found that tumbling for 4 hours is in order with using 5 pounds of pins. With 3 pounds of pins, 5 hours of tumbling is needed in my experience. Again, this is with 2 pounds of brass.

Let me know how your tumbling goes, and what recipe you use.

Bayou

 

[lightman]

Its been recommended to run the media thru the cycle without the brass to get the oil off. Everything else you posted should work fine. You may need longer than 30 minutes, but a look will not hurt.

 

[LHSmith]

I would be cautious on how much weight I would put into the drum. Your model AR12 is designed for 12 # capacity and was thus was provided with a plastic drum. You are planning to use a rubber lined steel drum which is pretty heavy even when empty. The motor for the model B does have a different part #.

 

[Gillie Dog]

Yep, that is it.

I do hot tap water and more Lemi Shine, up to about 1% by weight to water is my max but the hot tap water has cut that down quite a bit, so 30 minutes does it. Less Lemi Shine and it seems to take longer. Rinse in tap water well and dry is all I do.

Experiment and see if you can keep run time to minimum.

GD

 

[dickn52]

water weighs 8# per gallon. 5# of SS media, 2# of brass= 15#. Adding this all up, you are probably going to be over weight real quick if 12 is the limit. I would cut back on the Dawn too, since you will probably spend a while getting rid of the suds when you open the drum.

 

[ftrrookie]

I never use a full gallon of water. 2 - 2.5 qts of hot water works fine. It'll also keep your weight down. I usually tumble for 1.5 hrs. I find any shorter and the primer pockets don't get as clean as I like them to be

 

[amlevin]

I never use a full gallon of water. 2 - 2.5 qts of hot water works fine. It'll also keep your weight down. I usually tumble for 1.5 hrs. I find any shorter and the primer pockets don't get as clean as I like them to be

I only use 1/2 gallon of water, 1 tbsp Dawn, and 1/4 tsp of Lemishine in my Sidewinder (won't hold a gallon). I still use the 5# of pins and 2# of cases. Works great but takes around 2 hours to get cases as clean as I like them.

The "mix" is not absolute, it's what works for you.

 

[Dos XX]

How many cases is 2 lbs of say .308?

 

[ftrrookie]

It would depend on the brand of brass. Lapua 308 brass would be ~82 pieces.

 

[amlevin]

How many cases is 2 lbs of say .308?

Card that came with my pins I believe said 80 or so.

Just weigh a case and divide the result (in grains) into 7000. If your case weighs 175 gr, then 2# is exactly 80 cases. 185 gr cases yield 75 total in a 2# batch.

 

[ptf18]

Fellows: Thank you all for your input. Im going to keep the total weight down as the AR12 was rated to 12#. I think I will start with 5# of pins, 1/2 gal of water. 1/4 teaspoon of LemiShine and some wash an wax automotive soap and maybe 1 1/2 of brass.

I'll see what happens and adjust accordingly.

 

[ptf18]

Fellows. Well my "formula" didnt work well as the total weight became an issue. What I've tried with great success (have done 2 loads and the cases came out as what other users have stated) was: 2# of STM, 1/2 gal of water, 2/3 teaspoon of Blue Coral auto soap and 1/4 teaspoon of LemiShine. Im able to get 2# of brass done per load.


My AR12 seems to be able to rotate this amount of weight but I think its just on the verge of doing so.

Im real tempted to orderthat new 17# machine sold by STM now that Ive seen this type of case cleaning with my own eyes.

Pretty impressed.

 

[BaconFat]

... Im real tempted to orderthat new 17# machine sold by STM now that Ive seen this type of case cleaning with my own eyes.

Pretty impressed.

IF .... STM uses the same motor as Thumler, those design upgrades for the Rebel 17 makes for a really nice unit.

 

[audredger]

I switched from Dawn to auto wash & wax (Armor-All). The wash & wax leaves a small residue of wax which inhibits the return of tarnish.

Bayou

Question: do you anneal your brass after cleaning and does the thin film of wax burn onto the brass or otherwise cause problems?

 

[amlevin]

I switched from Dawn to auto wash & wax (Armor-All). The wash & wax leaves a small residue of wax which inhibits the return of tarnish.

Bayou

Question: do you anneal your brass after cleaning and does the thin film of wax burn onto the brass or otherwise cause problems?

Can't speak for others but when I anneal AFTER cleaning in SS media nothing remains on the brass. Any microscopic film of wax from the soap vaporizes long befor the brass reaches it's annealing temp.

 

[audredger]

Thanks..may have to give it a try