SMSgtRod
Professional
There are a number of ways to get from dirty brass to clean brass. I have used a couple and know of others. Here I'll relate about my experiences and count on others to chime in with more.
Reloading back in the 70's I used a rotary rock tumbler and crushed walnut shells (dry method) as the cleaning media. Was always happy with how they came out. I would decap first so the primer pockets got cleaned. Using carbide dies there is no concern for dirty unlubed brass during decapping.
Having sold everything out in the 90's for a relocation, got started again at the behest of my granddaughter in 2018. First I had to get myself updated on all the new things that were available. One was the wet washing method. Still use a rotary tumbler but for media stainless steel pins are used. Pins so small in diameter that they can easily pass through the primer flash hole. I watched some videos and decided to give it a try. All I can say is I love it. I'll never go back to the walnut shells.
The difference being that the walnut shells had to be discarded and replaced when dirty. Two years later I'm still using the same pins. Walnut shells would get stuck in the primer pocket and flash hole. I'd have to use a toothpick to clean them out. Pins have never been stuck for me in two years. Walnut shells leave dust, pins don't. Should I have a spill now, clean up is a cinch. Magnet!
Wet method requires water, pins, Dawn detergent and some Lemi-Shine as a booster that makes the brass sparkle. I think my brass these days is several times nicer than way back when. Primer pockets and even the inside of the cases are very clean and bright.
Another method is to use a Vibrating Tumbler. This is also dry and uses Crushed Corn Cob or maybe even Walnut shells. Hopefully a member will stop buy that uses it and fill us all in on the process.
Lastly we need a media separator. Something that gets our nice clean brass away from the media. I use the one pictured from Frankford. Dump the tumbler in to it, close up the cage, replace the lit and spin. Not real fast. When it sounds like a slow moving steam locomotive it's doing best..... I think.
I only have one bone to pick with the equipment I'm using. If you look at my tumbler it needs 6 wing nuts and washers to close it up. Looking around I see some tumblers that appear more geared to brass cleaning. If you have a tumbler you like I'd sure be interested in hearing about it. That's about it.... picture posted below.
Reloading back in the 70's I used a rotary rock tumbler and crushed walnut shells (dry method) as the cleaning media. Was always happy with how they came out. I would decap first so the primer pockets got cleaned. Using carbide dies there is no concern for dirty unlubed brass during decapping.
Having sold everything out in the 90's for a relocation, got started again at the behest of my granddaughter in 2018. First I had to get myself updated on all the new things that were available. One was the wet washing method. Still use a rotary tumbler but for media stainless steel pins are used. Pins so small in diameter that they can easily pass through the primer flash hole. I watched some videos and decided to give it a try. All I can say is I love it. I'll never go back to the walnut shells.
The difference being that the walnut shells had to be discarded and replaced when dirty. Two years later I'm still using the same pins. Walnut shells would get stuck in the primer pocket and flash hole. I'd have to use a toothpick to clean them out. Pins have never been stuck for me in two years. Walnut shells leave dust, pins don't. Should I have a spill now, clean up is a cinch. Magnet!
Wet method requires water, pins, Dawn detergent and some Lemi-Shine as a booster that makes the brass sparkle. I think my brass these days is several times nicer than way back when. Primer pockets and even the inside of the cases are very clean and bright.
Another method is to use a Vibrating Tumbler. This is also dry and uses Crushed Corn Cob or maybe even Walnut shells. Hopefully a member will stop buy that uses it and fill us all in on the process.
Lastly we need a media separator. Something that gets our nice clean brass away from the media. I use the one pictured from Frankford. Dump the tumbler in to it, close up the cage, replace the lit and spin. Not real fast. When it sounds like a slow moving steam locomotive it's doing best..... I think.
I only have one bone to pick with the equipment I'm using. If you look at my tumbler it needs 6 wing nuts and washers to close it up. Looking around I see some tumblers that appear more geared to brass cleaning. If you have a tumbler you like I'd sure be interested in hearing about it. That's about it.... picture posted below.
