tumbler or brass cleaning?

[Skeet69]

maybe this belongs in a reloading forum, but can anyone recommend a cheap setup (tumbler, media, etc... LOW PRICE!) for me? I don;t reload much brass stuff, mostly shotun, but have become entracnced with my handguns... bought some old brass, really dark.... can you help me? links appreciated, etc....
Mike B

[Rimrod]

I use a lapidary tumbler with crushed, treated walnut media. It's huge and holds a lot of brass. I have used the little rock tumbler sold in craft stores in a cramped area and it worked just fine. I also have a vibrator but it is noisy and takes longer in my opinion.

Depending on how bad the brass is and how much you have, you can take the Lee lock stud and collet for their trimmer, put it in a drill and hold a piece of extra fine steel wool against it. Or rub some brasso on them and polish it with a dry cloth the same way.

[Dfariswheel]

"Or rub some brasso on them"

NO BRASSO, IT ATTACKS AND WEAKENS THE BRASS.
This doesn't matter for belt buckles and lamps. but it weakens the cases and can cause splits or blow outs.

Skeet69:
Any of the less expensive case tumblers made by Lyman, RCBS, or any of the others will do the best, fastest job.

These are vibratory type units that cause the brass to "swirl" in the donut shaped tub.

For polishing media, you can use ground corn cob media, but the best results are with ground walnut hulls, mixed with red rouge.

Here's links to Lyman and RCBS:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/index.htm

http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=1

MANY places sell reloading equipment including case tumblers.

Midway specializes in reloading supplies:
http://www.midwayusa.com/

So does Widner's:
http://www.wideners.com/

Natchez is good:
http://www.natchezss.com/

Take a look at Cabela's:
http://www.cabelas.com/home.jsp;jses...equestid=83287

[45reloader]

You just soak it in a bucket with some dishwasher soap.

It will clean the brass so it will reload fiine.

It will stay dark but who really cares about color of target brass.

I have reloaded tons of handgun and rifle rounds this way.

1. Soak in hot dish soap water for 24 to 48 hours
2. Rinse in hotwater
3. let dry on towel for 48 hours

[stellarpod]

More on Dfariswheel's comments - I believe it is actually the ammonia content in Brasso that is the culprit. But, he is absolutely right. When looking at polishing media for brass cases, you should always make sure that there is no ammonia listed as a component. It is common in many "ornamental" brass polishes.

stellarpod

[Rimrod]

Thanks guys, I've never heard that. I've never had a problem but I'm sure not going to look for one either.

[carl418]

About the bucket soaking system; I've been told that if you also add a few teaspoons of lemon extract, the brass will come out new-looking...

[tulsamal]

Midway sells a "house brand" of tumbler that is quite a good deal. You can get it as a kit as well.

Basic tumbler:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=317981

Kit:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=668307

And another kit:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=616153

The prices would be even lower if you had a C&R FFL on file with them. Then you get dealer prices.

Gregg

[Skeet69]

I have found a few that I am interested in... for now, just to let you know I tried the smoking hot water and dishe detergent idea, and poured in a bit of jemon juice, they look a million times better, though not like a tumbler would, I suppose these are good enough till I find a tumbler, (actually, till I FIND THE MONEY for a tumbler..) I need to pay off the Highway patrolman that is waiting for me in Gander Mountain's gunsafe!!!
Mike

[Bill T]

I purchased a Dillon Magnum FL-2000 back in the late 80's when they came out because it had the largest compacity by far. (1,300 .38 Special cases). It's still going strong. I tumble for 8 hours per load and the Dillon just keeps on going. Before that I used a Thumblers Tumbler with the rotating drum, and I haven't used it since. It's just not worth screwing with since I got the Dillon. Dillon has the best warranty going as well. Bill T.

[woodpusher]

about $40 for a rock tumbler at Harbor Freight. Fill half full of water and add quarter cup Real lemon than brass about half full , needs room to rattle around. Two hours or so and brass is shiny like new the water is black. ps. add two drops of liquid soap to mix.

[Dave R]

You can occasionally find a used rock tumbler at the thrift store...

I spent $5 for mine.

[Ausserordeutlich]

I'm sometimes left wondering how people who can't afford a $40 tumbler can afford firearms and reloading components.

[Dave R]

Math...$40 tumber vs. $5 tumbler = $35 for components, range fees, etc.

I'm just cheap.

[amamnn]

It should be noted that there is a "shelf life" for brass. Cases which have been exposed to the weather or stored for long periods (years) without being sealed in a container, may not be worth the time, money, and effort. There was a very good article on the subject with data from experiments. Unfortunately, I lost the link when I had a recent computer crash.

If I were in your situation I would clean a few as best I could and shoot them with light loading before buying any tumblers. I tumble all my brass, but really there is no reason to do so for straight walled handgun brass other than convenience.

This might be a good time to pop for a few new starline cases from Midway or Graf or Midsouth, before the price of metals goes through the roof.