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September 3, 2013, 04:19 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 10, 2012
Location: Georgia
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Stainless steel tumbling media
I thought for sure someone would've posted about this, but the search option in Tapatalk returned no results, so I'll ask away.
About stainless steel tumbling media: What are the pros and cons? How long does it really last? Is it worth investing in? Does it polish brass without the need for liquid polishing solutions? Can I use it in my Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler? Is it only really used for that black, aged brass you find at outdoor ranges? Thanks for the advice in advance! |
September 3, 2013, 07:02 AM | #2 |
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"What are the pros and cons?
How long does it really last? Is it worth investing in? Does it polish brass without the need for liquid polishing solutions? Can I use it in my Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler? Is it only really used for that black, aged brass you find at outdoor ranges?" Pros - it cleans well, less noise and dust, runs in the house. Cons - expense, some what slower to separate/dry, possibility of pins remaining inside of bottle necked brass (have to look). Last - till is rusts or I loose it. Worth investing - highly subjective, to me, yes. Without liquid - never tried it. Vibratory tumbler - don't think so, I use water mix. Aged brass - I clean my bottle necked/rifle brass twice during loading, some never touches the ground and I seldom use a rattle tub and dry media. Load with care, OSOK |
September 3, 2013, 08:29 AM | #3 |
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The SS Pins polish/clean brass as if it came from the factory.
It is a wet process, but much better than vibrators since the inside of the case is cleaned also. Just de-prime and run through the pins. Resizing is easier because the case's are clean so less lube is used. With the inside clean expanding the neck of rifle rounds is much easier. Yes it takes more time, but in the long run it is worth it. |
September 3, 2013, 08:51 AM | #4 |
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I use them...
BTW... there have been tons of posts... here is a quick search link... http://thefiringline.com/forums/sear...archid=7224059
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In life you either make dust or eat dust... Last edited by Magnum Wheel Man; September 3, 2013 at 10:43 AM. |
September 3, 2013, 09:13 AM | #5 |
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It depends on what you call a pro and a con.
It's easily more expensive short term. You need a different kind of tumbler. The kit with pins, tumbler and a bottle of lemishine is usually a couple hundred bucks, compared to less than a hundred for a vibratory. It's "cleaner" to pin or "wet tumble". Vibratory tumblers are known for both a residue from the media, as well as media stuck in the flash holes. It's theoretically faster overall. You spend so much less time tumbling, that the extra time you spend rinsing and drying is still less. The pins inside the case issue washes with the media in the flashhole problem. |
September 3, 2013, 10:38 AM | #6 | |
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Location: Georgia
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Stainless steel tumbling media
Quote:
It could be my device. I'll try checking from a normal desktop to be sure. So, what all do you throw in the tumbler in order to use SS media? Obviously the media and the cases, but is it just water after that, then tumble? I use crushed walnut right now, and typically tumble about 400 cases of 9x19 for 2-4 hours. How much time should I prepare to tumble in my hypothetical stainless cocktail? Also, just so I'm sure of what I'm hearing: I CANNOT use SS media and water in my Franford Arsenal vibratory tumbler, right? |
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September 3, 2013, 10:46 AM | #7 |
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I relinked & it seems to work now...
I use a squirt of dish soap, & a Lee dipper or two of granular Citric Acid ( I have citric acid available at work ) most people use Lemishine which is a dish washing additive that contains citric acid if you check the link again, it should work, there are several long threads about tumbling with STM
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September 3, 2013, 11:43 AM | #8 | |||||||
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September 3, 2013, 09:32 PM | #9 |
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I asked the same question a bit ago.. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531878
Depending on how many brass you want to clean at one time, It may be cheaper then buying any other device. Rock polisher: $47.00 (Should be a good one. Have not gotten it yet) Media x2 1lb bags $30.00. Now just water, soap and some Cit. (have to find that) All the polishers I have found are in the $80's and they don't have media. |
September 4, 2013, 09:10 AM | #10 |
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two things come to mind.
In working jewelry I use SS tumbling media to work harden parts that are softened be soldering. I don't know if the brass would harden enough to split or not. number two: the SS shot included in the tumbling media is just the right size to lodge in the primer pocket of my small pistol primer cases (98 out of 100 cases) So, you get to de-prime twice |
September 4, 2013, 09:15 AM | #11 |
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Sadly, I'm not a reloader (yet), but here was one thread on SSTM: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520125
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September 4, 2013, 09:55 AM | #12 | |
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