Think I"ll give up tumbling cases

[P7M13]

Even with carbide it's not a bad idea to clean even if it's just a little. Get enough gunk in the carbide die and it can scratch the shih-tsu out of the brass. Depending on how big and how abrasive that grit is, it can be pretty bad.

BTDT
However, stopped putting pistol brass in with my rifle brass - a bunch would cup over the rifle case neck, and I'd wind up setting those aside for retumbling.

 

[Misternt]

What do you do with all the waste water from ultrasonic or stainless tumbling? Isn't it too toxic to dump down the drain?

 

[P7M13]

That's a good question - I've never had the metals content analyzed in my water, nor thought to have it done. The acid wash I have does not remove any metal but it does reverse the oxide and sulfur discolorations. What lead content may be in the cases is another matter. Have you googled it?

 

[ma96782]

Speaking about the carbide dies and cleaning pistol brass. YES. It's NOT a bad idea to start with clean brass. But for me......... My brass may look ugly. But, I don't care. It's not a beauty contest. In other words.......it's just another step that I've managed to avoid without the world coming to an end.

Bottom Line: YES, there is nothing wrong with clean.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Kevatc]

What do you do with all the waste water from ultrasonic or stainless tumbling? Isn't it too toxic to dump down the drain?

I use the Hornady solution and I thought it was just citric acid which is in lemons I think. I would suspect that part of the solution isn't an issue but I would assume there could be some lead (potentially although not sure if you're always using jacketed bullets).

 

[RVTECH]

I use the Hornady solution and I thought it was just citric acid

If this is the case any of you ultrasonic guys ever try mixing a little cheap lemon juice in with the water?

 

[RVTECH]

From it's MSDS sheet:

SECTION 2: COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS:
OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV
NAME CAS# %WT 313 TWA (ppm) TWA (ppm)
Citric Acid 77-92-9 <15% No N/A N/A

 

[P7M13]

Another round. This time I think I may tumble a little.

308 Win, 300 rounds. Deprimed, 45 minutes. US Clean and dried, 2 batches of 150 each, 16 minutes in the bath.

What the water looks like in the 2nd batch.

 

[deadshot2]

What do you do with all the waste water from ultrasonic or stainless tumbling? Isn't it too toxic to dump down the drain?

I use the Hornady solution and I thought it was just citric acid which is in lemons I think. I would suspect that part of the solution isn't an issue but I would assume there could be some lead (potentially although not sure if you're always using jacketed bullets).

Any "toxic" material would most likely be lead but not from the bullet. If you're using a primer that has some lead in it a minuscule amount might remain in the case.

Most Waste Water Discharge Regulations allow for small amounts of things like this to be dumped down the drain. The assumption is that the small amounts will be just about in line with what could come from natural sources.

FWIW, Zinc and Copper in waste water is regulated too. Seriously doubt that anyone other than a commercial processor of brass cases would even come close to exceeding the base limits.