The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Brass cleaning/polishing with stainless steel

oley55 · December 30, 2014, 07:43 PM

to be certain there needs to be something (ribs or vanes) in the cylinder to prevent the brass from just sliding along the inside.

although I left one of my drums smooth so that I could clean sizing lube off fully loaded cases with dry media. for sure I didn't want pointy loaded 556 ammo tumbling end over end and making those muffled explosion sounds.

I did a bunch of research a while back to determine the correct rpm's. the appropriate rpm is determined by the size of the drum. someone on one of the forums had posted a formula for when objects stop tumbling and become pressed against the drum due to centrifugal force. I think I tried for 20 percent less than the rpm which made object cling to the walls. you'll need to do some searches for that.

my 8" drum spins at 35.5/53 rpm (two speed motor). frankly it cleans equally at either speed.

December 30, 2014, 07:43 PM	#14
oley55 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2013 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 377	ribs in the cylinder to be certain there needs to be something (ribs or vanes) in the cylinder to prevent the brass from just sliding along the inside. although I left one of my drums smooth so that I could clean sizing lube off fully loaded cases with dry media. for sure I didn't want pointy loaded 556 ammo tumbling end over end and making those muffled explosion sounds. I did a bunch of research a while back to determine the correct rpm's. the appropriate rpm is determined by the size of the drum. someone on one of the forums had posted a formula for when objects stop tumbling and become pressed against the drum due to centrifugal force. I think I tried for 20 percent less than the rpm which made object cling to the walls. you'll need to do some searches for that. my 8" drum spins at 35.5/53 rpm (two speed motor). frankly it cleans equally at either speed.