Dirt begone!

Hardcase · March 17, 2013, 12:19 AM

About a month ago, I quit tumbling brass in one of those vibrating thingies and switched to an ultrasonic cleaner because I'm concerned about lead contamination when I sifted the brass out of the media. Anyway, liquid cleaning isn't anything new because I've always plopped my BP brass into a tupperware bowl with a weak vinegar mix before giving them a more thorough scrubbing at home.

Except for last New Year's Day. A bunch of my buddies and I did our annual skeet shoot and I fired off a half dozen rounds from dad's old 12 gauge side by side. I tossed everything in the trunk when I was done, but I forgot to do anything with the brass. Until today. Yuck.

After three ten minute baths in the ultrasonic cleaner, they're not just like new, but they're cleaner than I deserve.

I didn't take a picture, but the solution in the tank after the first soak was just plain filthy - it was actually hard to see the brass for the scum.

Beagle333 · March 17, 2013, 06:35 AM

Pretty neat! I got a tumbler (haven't used it yet), but I definitely am going to use it outside only, and I have a respirator (rated for lead dust) that I'll wear when sifting. If I don't get happy results with my tumbler though, it looks like I'll know what kind to get next! Those came out very good considering the starting condition.

March 17, 2013, 12:19 AM	#1
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Dirt begone! About a month ago, I quit tumbling brass in one of those vibrating thingies and switched to an ultrasonic cleaner because I'm concerned about lead contamination when I sifted the brass out of the media. Anyway, liquid cleaning isn't anything new because I've always plopped my BP brass into a tupperware bowl with a weak vinegar mix before giving them a more thorough scrubbing at home. Except for last New Year's Day. A bunch of my buddies and I did our annual skeet shoot and I fired off a half dozen rounds from dad's old 12 gauge side by side. I tossed everything in the trunk when I was done, but I forgot to do anything with the brass. Until today. Yuck. After three ten minute baths in the ultrasonic cleaner, they're not just like new, but they're cleaner than I deserve. I didn't take a picture, but the solution in the tank after the first soak was just plain filthy - it was actually hard to see the brass for the scum. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

March 17, 2013, 06:35 AM	#2
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Pretty neat! I got a tumbler (haven't used it yet), but I definitely am going to use it outside only, and I have a respirator (rated for lead dust) that I'll wear when sifting. If I don't get happy results with my tumbler though, it looks like I'll know what kind to get next! Those came out very good considering the starting condition. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.