Steel pins

salvadore · January 31, 2016, 03:21 PM

So my latest method o f cleaning brass is a sonic cleaner with a Lyman product cleaner. My question can I use my old tumbler with steel pins and whatever the liquid medium is used? My last question is what is the drill, where do you get the steel pins, and what liquid is used? Thank you.

**Unclenick** · January 31, 2016, 04:44 PM

I have no idea what kind of tumbler your old one is, so I can't answer that part of your question.

The pins can be had from several sources. 5 lbs, the amount used in a Thumbler B type rotary tumbler, are sold by many of the usual reloading supply retailers. Midway, Sinclair, etc, but they all seem to want nearly $10/lb. This place is a little less. They can also be bought from the manufacturer, but IIRC, you have to order 25 lbs or so from them. They got tired of packaging small orders for shooters, so you'd want to interest your friends in getting into the hobby for that, but it is cheaper per pound.

brasscollector · January 31, 2016, 06:48 PM

I use the stainless pins and the Thumbler model B. I got my pins from http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com, they were $40/5lbs and they sell 2lb "touch-up" refresher kits. Good little pins which do not rust but ARE magnetic which helps when you tip your tumbler barrel on the floor

. I use cold water, dawn dishsoap and Glisten (similar to Lemi-shine).

Kevin Rohrer · February 1, 2016, 10:37 AM

I just started using the same setup as Brasscollector. Lemishine is ridiclously expensive, considering it is nothing more than citric acid, which is dirt cheap at women's hobby stores. We bought a large tub of it for $10-15.

54 guns · February 1, 2016, 02:01 PM

If your “Old Tumbler” is the vibrating type then SS pins will NOT work. They are to heavy and barely even move in those tumblers.

cw308 · February 2, 2016, 02:00 PM

When cleaning brass with SS Pins, a wet tumbler has to be used. Check out Harbor Freight , the first unit I used was a H F. I use the HF for 50 308cases or less. Works very good, makes brass look like new inside & out.

January 31, 2016, 03:21 PM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Steel pins So my latest method o f cleaning brass is a sonic cleaner with a Lyman product cleaner. My question can I use my old tumbler with steel pins and whatever the liquid medium is used? My last question is what is the drill, where do you get the steel pins, and what liquid is used? Thank you.

January 31, 2016, 04:44 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I have no idea what kind of tumbler your old one is, so I can't answer that part of your question. The pins can be had from several sources. 5 lbs, the amount used in a Thumbler B type rotary tumbler, are sold by many of the usual reloading supply retailers. Midway, Sinclair, etc, but they all seem to want nearly $10/lb. This place is a little less. They can also be bought from the manufacturer, but IIRC, you have to order 25 lbs or so from them. They got tired of packaging small orders for shooters, so you'd want to interest your friends in getting into the hobby for that, but it is cheaper per pound. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 31, 2016, 06:48 PM	#3
brasscollector Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2015 Posts: 526	I use the stainless pins and the Thumbler model B. I got my pins from http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com, they were $40/5lbs and they sell 2lb "touch-up" refresher kits. Good little pins which do not rust but ARE magnetic which helps when you tip your tumbler barrel on the floor . I use cold water, dawn dishsoap and Glisten (similar to Lemi-shine). __________________ He may look dumb, but that's just a disguise. -Charlie Daniels

February 1, 2016, 10:37 AM	#4
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	I just started using the same setup as Brasscollector. Lemishine is ridiclously expensive, considering it is nothing more than citric acid, which is dirt cheap at women's hobby stores. We bought a large tub of it for $10-15. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

February 1, 2016, 02:01 PM	#5
54 guns Member Join Date: November 17, 2015 Posts: 37	If your “Old Tumbler” is the vibrating type then SS pins will NOT work. They are to heavy and barely even move in those tumblers.

February 2, 2016, 02:00 PM	#6
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	When cleaning brass with SS Pins, a wet tumbler has to be used. Check out Harbor Freight , the first unit I used was a H F. I use the HF for 50 308cases or less. Works very good, makes brass look like new inside & out.