Wet tumbling

[Webster]

I put togeather a wet tumbler but I cannot seem to find the right mix to get my brass shiny. I use a 6" pvc pipe roughly 20" long, filled 1/2 brass and water, small SS chips, couple dabs of dawn, small dab of lemon squeeze and my brass comes out really dull. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I don't do many cases a year. After tumbling I dump the tub into a small container and rinse several times with cold running water in the laundry tub until the water looks clean. Final rinse with distilled water. You can buy cheap distilled water intended for steam irons at just about any store for about $1 a gallon. You can use it several times if it looks clean. I was going to try to collect discharge water from my large dehumidifier in the basement and try it. I have a couple hundred range pickup 223 cases that I cleaned two years ago and they are still bright and shiny.

 

[6MT]

I use dish soup, Lemon shine and Cream of Tartar. Not sure what the tartar does, but I read about it and tried it. Brass comes out perfect.

How much of that cream of tartar do you put in each batch?

 

[Ben H]

The other day I tried CLR instead of DAWN dish soap on some old, dirty .223 cases and they came out shiny and very clean.

 

[338 dude]

How much of that cream of tartar do you put in each batch?

Season to taste I would imagine

 

[EOD Rob]

How much of that cream of tartar do you put in each batch?

Teaspoon

 

[rogina]

Teaspoon

It makes them creamy.

 

[divingin]

It makes them creamy.

... and if you whip them, they'll get peaky faster.

 

[cw308]

I would follow the instructions , using home remedies could damage the drum. If the inside of the cases are clean after the first time cleaning the shiny cases will come , my have to use more detergent or less cases.
Chris

 

[ricco1949]

How much of that cream of tartar do you put in each batch?

One tablespoon cream of tartar, squirt of lemishine, and squirt of Dawn detergent.

 

[Steve Nicholas]

One tablespoon cream of tartar, squirt of lemishine, and squirt of Dawn detergent.

I started (and still use) the dish soap/cream of tartar combination. I don't use Lemi Shine. I learned to do this in 1969 from an old NMC shooter (Creighton Audette).

My cases have always been clean and need no rework... Creighton was a smart old shooter.

Steve Nicholas

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Have changed over to Stainless chips. Buy them on Ebay. No stuck pins in flash holes or necks. They pour right out. Brass cleaned as good as pins, primer pockets also. Same mix as Dish SOAP and Lemmi Shine

 

[ricco1949]

I started (and still use) the dish soap/cream of tartar combination. I don't use Lemi Shine. I learned to do this in 1969 from an old NMC shooter (Creighton Audette).

My cases have always been clean and need no rework... Creighton was a smart old shooter.

Steve Nichola

Been using this formula for years.....I believe it was recommended by the originator of stainless pin cleaning. IIRC the Lemi shine reduces the water spots.

I also use this formula in sonic cleaner to clean brakes, tuners, and suppressor parts.,........they come out like new. However, I clean after every usage.

 

[Webster]

How much of that cream of tartar do you put in each batch?

You should be able to find Lemi Shine everywhere. In the Fall Walmart sells powdered citric acid as a preservative for canning food. It's by the Mason jars.

I fill the drum 3/4 up with brass. It tumbles fine. Rubber lined drum. I could see 1/2 fill sliding, the brass has to ride over the top and fall a little bit.

 

[Webster]

I put togeather a wet tumbler but I cannot seem to find the right mix to get my brass shiny. I use a 6" pvc pipe roughly 20" long, filled 1/2 brass and water, small SS chips, couple dabs of dawn, small dab of lemon squeeze and my brass comes out really dull. Any suggestions would be apprecia

I put togeather a wet tumbler but I cannot seem to find the right mix to get my brass shiny. I use a 6" pvc pipe roughly 20" long, filled 1/2 brass and water, small SS chips, couple dabs of dawn, small dab of lemon squeeze and my brass comes out really dull. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Never measured how much Dawn and LemiShine I use. I eyeball it. My tank is about 4" round and 10" long (Harbor Freight Rock tumbler). I fill the tank about 3/4 full off 6BR brass add about 1 teaspoon of LemiShine and Dawn. I get great results. Your tank is at least 4 times bigger than mine and your adding less than I do. I would try increasing the soap and LemiShine.

 

[BigJohnson2]

5 gallon paint strainers work great for separating out the SS media.

like these:

https://www.menards.com/main/paint/painting-tools/reaves-reg-5-gallon-fine-mesh-nylon-paint-strainers-3-pk/30203/p-1444445227111-c-8076.htm?tid=-3434173224748179615&ipos=2

 

[BDman]

The ratio that SST recommends of pins to the gallon has worked very well for all my shooting friends and me. Healthy shot of Dawn and a half teaspoon of Lemishine (or citric acid) per gallon is what we use. If, upon opening your tumbler after cleaning, there are no suds remaining; use more Dawn. Our brass looks like new with this mix.

A couple of us tried the SS chips. The results were a "bead blasted" type finish on the brass. And, we both were concerned about having those tiny chips that (compared to pins) were much more difficult to account for. I didn't like the idea of that and trashed mine and my friend gave his away. They were ultimately trashed by the next guy.

I use a rare earth magnet over the shop sink drain and it catches any stray pin that might be left after straining and draining. I don't think the SST site's recommendations can be improved upon by much. JMHO

 

[Tinman102000]

Like Delfuego said ! Works excellent for me. I learned the hard way not to overfill with brass, That was many moons ago, LOL

 

[crystalgayleguy]

don't wet tumble nickel and brass cases together