Brass cleaning

[logtrucker]

I am new to reloading and wondering what your opinions are on brass cleaning. Wet Tumbling. Vibratory or sonic. Thanks in advance

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[DizzyJ]

I use dry tumbling with walnut media for pistol brass, and wet tumbling with SS media for rifle brass.

Really is user preference. Welcome to the world of brass cleaning!

 

[RVTECH]

Really is user preference. Welcome to the world of brass cleaning!

Ditto this!

I transitioned from dry to liquid about five years ago.

 

[Mikej]

If you're just starting reloading and fairly new to firearms, I'd suggest the vibratory tumbler with walnut media. With a little bit of liquid car polish. That's the least expensive way to get into it, and if down the road you get into the wet/stainless pin method, or sonic, you'll always be able to sell to another beginner.

 

[RVTECH]

Or until you do some research on the different methods of brass cleaning and decide get a heavy cotton sack (but fairly porous) and fill it with your brass, tie it off and throw in in the wash with a heavy clothing load.

It actually works quite well!

 

[DizzyJ]

Or until you do some research on the different methods of brass cleaning and decide get a heavy cotton sack (but fairly porous) and fill it with your brass, tie it off and throw in in the wash with a heavy clothing load.

It actually works quite well!

The wife would disagree with you.

 

[RVTECH]

The wife would disagree with you.

So she tried it and it didn't work well for her?

 

[howardm4]

I'm new also and decided to start w/ dry.

I'm using the Berry QD500 tumbler which is quite quiet and has removable basket.
Also using walnut shell (fine) from HarborFreight or lizard litter from Amz and either Flitz additive or NuFinish

 

[robertvarner]

Ditto this!

I transitioned from dry to liquid about five years ago.

Since a portion of my shop is set up for reloading and there are times a breeze can blow through it, I switched to wet tumbling with SS pins several years ago to avoid the dust from the dry media from getting onto my lungs.

 

[DizzyJ]

So she tried it and it didn't work well for her?

Something like that.

 

[RVTECH]

I switched to wet tumbling with SS pins several years ago to avoid the dust from the dry media from getting onto my lungs.

Yea I used to set my dry tumbler outside in nice weather when I tumbled, or out on my covered deck to avoid the dust.

It was a blessing in disguise when my dry tumbler 'died' !

 

[howardm4]

Between the walnut and the Flitz/NuFinish, I have to say that I'm not sensing much dust.

 

[DizzyJ]

As far as dust is concerned, I've been using a capful of mineral spirits in the tumbler with each load. Wets down the media well and no perceivable dust that I can tell.

 

[deadeye]

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I could keep going but you get the point. There is alot of info in this section already.

I started with a tumbler not vibratory and walnut media but switched to wet and stainless.

 

[logtrucker]

Thanks everyone for your response

 

[Camelfilter]

I've only wet tumbled.

Started with a Harbor Freight double drum rock polisher, and did a homemade large drum for it. Then upgraded to the Franklin Arsenal Rotary Tumbler (FART).

Franklin also has a smaller drum unit, the "Lite". $85 currently at Midway.

While the FART is $144, currently at midway.

Looks like from reviews that the Lite can process 750 9mm brass at a time. While I have no idea how many 9mm brass the FART can process at a time, its a lot. I do about a #10 coffee can load full at a time...

Other cost outlays for wet tumbling are: car wash/wax (cheap), lemishine (cheap), media (I use egg shaped chips from SouthernShine-cheap comparatively), case separator (RCBS $35 at Midway), Lyman case dryer ($60 at midway).

-Home made spray lube for when I get into rifle proccessing (~$25??- forget now but not more- Lanolin & Methanol).

For drying, you can sun dry if you decap first. I normally don't decap 9mm anymore before tumbling, so went with the Lyman dryer. It dries them out nice still primed, plus handles a #10 coffee can load. One can also use an oven set on low.

Everyone will have tips, tricks and whatnot for any method used (wet or dry).

What you, as the new to reloading should think on, is which method will suit you best moving forwards. Include cost outlay and proccessng time/convenience in such.

Looking back, I should have just gone with the FART & Lyman case dryer rite off the bat! But that's me.

Not to dissuade one from dry, as I've never done such, mayhaps look towards folks whom mention they used to do dry and have since switched over?

 

[DizzyJ]

Ovens work well for drying brass too.
200F for 30 minutes on cookie sheets and done.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Ditto this!

I transitioned from dry to liquid about five years ago.

I transitioned from a dirty rag to hot soapy water about 45 years ago.
Lorl

 

[po18guy]

I am new to reloading and wondering what your opinions are on brass cleaning. Wet Tumbling. Vibratory or sonic. Thanks in advance

For whatever it is worth, the only way I have ever cleaned brass is with walnut shell treated with jeweler's rouge, in a Thumler's Model B rotary tumbler.

 

[Dungannon]

Whichever approach you take, don't spend more than you need to on consumable supplies.