***Economical Brass Cleaning******

dthome123 · February 27, 2011, 09:47 PM

Hello everyone! I am new to this thread and thought I would share some great news in hopes that I could save someone a few bucks. I was in search of a method to clean my brass when I stumbled upon, not only a great buy, yet a breakthrough in regards to a cheap method to clean brass. My son and I went to the range and shot some really cheap and dirty (walmart winchester brand) 38 special ammo. I had just purchased a bunch of brass from Crown Bullets Mfg (who I am really pleased with) yet wanted to start experimenting with cleaning my brass using an ultrasonic cleaner. I went to Harbor Freight today and bought their $20 jewlrey ultrasonic cleaner and could not be more pleased. Here's the link http://www.harborfreight.com/ultraso...aner-3305.html. Here is the kicker! Using 2 tablespoons of limme brite...here is that link too on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shine-Dishwate.../dp/B0047528HM. I produced an awesome result. This beats the cost of the Big Boy type ultrasonic cleaners "Hands Down". $24 Ultrasonic Cleaner + $9 Cleaner = Shiny clean brass and a happy reloader. Oh...and the best part....this ultrasonic unit has a three minute timer on it and I only had to run three cycles to get a clean and crisp casing and primer pocket. Hope this helps!! DAN

Wag · February 27, 2011, 11:07 PM

Hmmmmmm. Got any before and after pics?

--Wag--

Miata Mike · February 27, 2011, 11:10 PM

Got any pictures? I am happy with my walnut media, but am open to new ideas. I could not be happier than the brass I got from a fellow member here that uses stainless steel media. Spooky clean!

rdmallory · February 28, 2011, 09:30 AM

Wonder if it would leave the varnish intact on 5.7x28...

Incognito · February 28, 2011, 10:06 AM

Does it get them clean in three minutes? How many cases can it process at once?

sc928porsche · February 28, 2011, 10:17 AM

Stick them in a heavy sock, tie a good knot at the top, and toss them in with a load of laundry!

Uncle Buck · March 1, 2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Stick them in a heavy sock, tie a good knot at the top, and toss them in with a load of laundry!

My wife is just not that accommodating. She told me if I get caught using the washer again, she'll tie my old butt out for the buzzards.

I would also be interested in more info on the ultra-sonic cleaners. The ones I priced were much higher than $25.00.

Is there anything other than the cleaner you mentioned that could be used? How long will the cleaning fluid last between changes?

Maybe when my old vibratory cleaner finally gives up the ghost, I will be able to talk the resident banker into allowing her wonderful husband to purchase one.

engineermike · March 1, 2011, 04:53 PM

Oh, Uncle Buck: "You Stallion You".

Let us know if you get the cash.

jwilson48 · March 1, 2011, 07:44 PM

also for those who still use tumblers, i saw midsouth shooters now has smart reloader nano tumblers for 23.** i have the next size up and really like mine. no problems and i've had it for about a year.

Wag · March 2, 2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc928porsche

Stick them in a heavy sock, tie a good knot at the top, and toss them in with a load of laundry!

Yes, John Wayne Bobbit.

--Wag--

cjadam2 · March 4, 2011, 03:51 AM

I use the small ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. I clean about 60-70 cases of .45 at once. Three cycles of 3 minutes. I have used 50/50 vinegar and water. Works good, but not as good as Resolve Carpet Cleaner 25/75 with water. After cleaning, I pour the cases in a small laundry-type bag, dip in clean water or dip in acetone for faster drying, and hang the bag to dry. It works fast and cleans pockets.. SHINES brass fast.

serf 'rett · March 4, 2011, 10:22 AM

My local Walmart carries Lemishine - cheaper than Amazon and no shipping.

capreppy · March 4, 2011, 10:39 AM

Anyone used one of these to clean their pistols?

**

Also, I understand this is going to clean the brass, but not polish them. If you want like new polished brass, tumbling in corn cob after cleaning with this would be pretty quick correct? You've already completed the cleaning, just need to polish. How long in corn cob?

Uncle Buck · March 4, 2011, 10:54 AM

I bought an old black powder revolver and it had been neglected. I washed it is hot soapy water, dried it and then put the pieces in my vibratory tumbler with rice and corn con media, a little polish and let it go for a few hours.

Turned out nicely, but I wonder if I had had an ultra-sonic cleaner if it would have come out better.

chris in va · March 5, 2011, 03:11 AM

Gotta be careful with those ultrasonic cleaners and metal parts. It works by forming tiny, very hot and brief bubbles on the surface, so it *may* take finishes off.

Ike666 · March 5, 2011, 10:21 AM

I've got the large size ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. I originally bought it to clean 5.7 brass so the surface varnish would not be removed as happens with tumbling.

Not impressed at all. After running it through several cycles in a Simple Green solution I can't tell any difference at all in the brass. None. Expect is was wet and sticky until thoroughly rinsed.

Tried it again yesterday on some .308 brass. Same deal. Ran it several cycles in a solution of Dawn dish washing soap. Can't tell any difference after the cleaning cycles.

I can tumble and clean the primer pockets quicker than I can run five 8-minute cycles on the ultrasonic cleaner.

I may be doing something wrong, but it seems plug simple. I do stack the brass two layers high. I'm open to suggestions - but so far economical this is not.

February 27, 2011, 09:47 PM	#1
dthome123 Junior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Posts: 1	*Economical Brass Cleaning**** Hello everyone! I am new to this thread and thought I would share some great news in hopes that I could save someone a few bucks. I was in search of a method to clean my brass when I stumbled upon, not only a great buy, yet a breakthrough in regards to a cheap method to clean brass. My son and I went to the range and shot some really cheap and dirty (walmart winchester brand) 38 special ammo. I had just purchased a bunch of brass from Crown Bullets Mfg (who I am really pleased with) yet wanted to start experimenting with cleaning my brass using an ultrasonic cleaner. I went to Harbor Freight today and bought their $20 jewlrey ultrasonic cleaner and could not be more pleased. Here's the link http://www.harborfreight.com/ultraso...aner-3305.html. Here is the kicker! Using 2 tablespoons of limme brite...here is that link too on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shine-Dishwate.../dp/B0047528HM. I produced an awesome result. This beats the cost of the Big Boy type ultrasonic cleaners "Hands Down". $24 Ultrasonic Cleaner + $9 Cleaner = Shiny clean brass and a happy reloader. Oh...and the best part....this ultrasonic unit has a three minute timer on it and I only had to run three cycles to get a clean and crisp casing and primer pocket. Hope this helps!! DAN

February 27, 2011, 11:07 PM	#2
Wag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 988	Hmmmmmm. Got any before and after pics? --Wag-- __________________ "Great genius will always encounter fierce opposition from mediocre minds." --Albert Einstein.

February 28, 2011, 10:06 AM	#5
Incognito Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 370	Two Questions... Does it get them clean in three minutes? How many cases can it process at once?

February 28, 2011, 10:17 AM	#6
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Stick them in a heavy sock, tie a good knot at the top, and toss them in with a load of laundry! __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

March 4, 2011, 03:51 AM	#11
cjadam2 Junior Member Join Date: August 21, 2010 Posts: 1	ultrasonic cleaner I use the small ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. I clean about 60-70 cases of .45 at once. Three cycles of 3 minutes. I have used 50/50 vinegar and water. Works good, but not as good as Resolve Carpet Cleaner 25/75 with water. After cleaning, I pour the cases in a small laundry-type bag, dip in clean water or dip in acetone for faster drying, and hang the bag to dry. It works fast and cleans pockets.. SHINES brass fast.

February 27, 2011, 11:10 PM	#3
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	Got any pictures? I am happy with my walnut media, but am open to new ideas. I could not be happier than the brass I got from a fellow member here that uses stainless steel media. Spooky clean!

February 28, 2011, 09:30 AM	#4
rdmallory Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 953	Wonder if it would leave the varnish intact on 5.7x28...

March 1, 2011, 04:53 PM	#8
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	Oh, Uncle Buck: "You Stallion You". Let us know if you get the cash.

March 1, 2011, 07:44 PM	#9
jwilson48 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2011 Posts: 105	also for those who still use tumblers, i saw midsouth shooters now has smart reloader nano tumblers for 23.** i have the next size up and really like mine. no problems and i've had it for about a year.

March 4, 2011, 10:22 AM	#12
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	Cut your cost a little more My local Walmart carries Lemishine - cheaper than Amazon and no shipping. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

March 4, 2011, 10:39 AM	#13
capreppy Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: North Fort Worth, TX (Saginaw) Posts: 44	Anyone used one of these to clean their pistols? ** Also, I understand this is going to clean the brass, but not polish them. If you want like new polished brass, tumbling in corn cob after cleaning with this would be pretty quick correct? You've already completed the cleaning, just need to polish. How long in corn cob?

March 4, 2011, 10:54 AM	#14
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	I bought an old black powder revolver and it had been neglected. I washed it is hot soapy water, dried it and then put the pieces in my vibratory tumbler with rice and corn con media, a little polish and let it go for a few hours. Turned out nicely, but I wonder if I had had an ultra-sonic cleaner if it would have come out better. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

March 5, 2011, 03:11 AM	#15
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Gotta be careful with those ultrasonic cleaners and metal parts. It works by forming tiny, very hot and brief bubbles on the surface, so it may take finishes off.

March 5, 2011, 10:21 AM	#16
Ike666 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2009 Location: SW VA Posts: 491	I've got the large size ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. I originally bought it to clean 5.7 brass so the surface varnish would not be removed as happens with tumbling. Not impressed at all. After running it through several cycles in a Simple Green solution I can't tell any difference at all in the brass. None. Expect is was wet and sticky until thoroughly rinsed. Tried it again yesterday on some .308 brass. Same deal. Ran it several cycles in a solution of Dawn dish washing soap. Can't tell any difference after the cleaning cycles. I can tumble and clean the primer pockets quicker than I can run five 8-minute cycles on the ultrasonic cleaner. I may be doing something wrong, but it seems plug simple. I do stack the brass two layers high. I'm open to suggestions - but so far economical this is not. __________________ ___________________ "I'm your huckleberry."

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