How clean is clean?

gregjc9 · November 16, 2009, 06:49 PM

Sorry if this has been answered before, but I searched many times and couldnt find the answer I was looking for.

I've just started piecing together my reloading gear, and started tumbling some 45 and 9mm cases I've been collecting. I have a H/F vibrating tumber, and using Lizard Litter, which is crushed English walnut shells (pet store, $10 for 5# bag). I also put in one cup full of NuPolish and several strips of cut up blue shop towels to soak up the dust (all these tips I've learned here, thanks!).

I let the 45 cases tumble all day. They came out with the outside obviously very shiny. But my question is how clean should the inside of the cases be (obviously more important than the outsides)? Some came out very clean, others not so.

I dont intend to be OCD about this, I just wanted to make sure I was doing things right. TIA

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · November 16, 2009, 06:53 PM

I tumble my cases for 2-3 hours max. Just enough to make sure they are clean enough to run through my dies. I use no additive, as my walnut media works great alone. Getting absolutely all the grime out of the cases is not mandatory. In fact, some guys just wipe down the outside of the case with a rag.

oneounceload · November 16, 2009, 06:59 PM

The inside doesn't matter - the outside is nice to look at and helps when you're resizing. A few hours should do fine. When it starts taking too long. change out some of the media

Ivan · November 16, 2009, 10:54 PM

Make sure there isn't stuff stuck to the inside of the case to reduce capacity and of course make sure there isn't any tumbler media stuck in the flash hole. (Fairly likely in very narrow mouthed cases.) Other than that, powder scorched is just fine.

I usta tumble for more like 8-10 hours (Just start it up before work and turn off when I get home).

- Ivan.

Scorch · November 17, 2009, 02:22 AM

They don't have to be sanitary, just clean! I tumble mine for 45 mins to 1 hour MAX. If they need more than that, they'll get more next time around.

Dannyl · November 17, 2009, 04:47 AM

Hi,
The only time I tumble longer than that is when I get cases that are VERY dirty, either from friends or brass that was left out for a long time at the range.
I use a Lyman tymbler with corn-cob media,

Brgds,
Danny

gregjc9 · November 17, 2009, 08:32 AM

Thanks all for the input, much appreciated!

QBall45 · November 17, 2009, 11:03 AM

I've found no differance in function if I tumble for an hour or overnight. Mosy certainly there is a big differance in exterior apperance. 1-3 hours gets em clean. If factory new shine is the goal, leave em run overnight. (This is what I usually do as I typically get to my bench late in the evening)

BigJimP · November 17, 2009, 11:41 AM

Run time depends on how dirty the media is - when its new, an hour or so is plenty - after I've run 6 or 8 batches - run it another hour or so... / after 12 batches or so I usually let it run about 4 hours.... but like others advised, you just want to get the powder residue, discoloration off.

edward5759 · November 17, 2009, 11:49 AM

So the inside of the cases does matter.
I wash them in soap and water then a good rinse.
after sizing I degrease and clean with Phosphoric Acid. "citric acid"
then tumble for 30 minutes.
I don't clean hand gun rounds.

November 16, 2009, 06:49 PM	#1
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	How clean is clean? Sorry if this has been answered before, but I searched many times and couldnt find the answer I was looking for. I've just started piecing together my reloading gear, and started tumbling some 45 and 9mm cases I've been collecting. I have a H/F vibrating tumber, and using Lizard Litter, which is crushed English walnut shells (pet store, $10 for 5# bag). I also put in one cup full of NuPolish and several strips of cut up blue shop towels to soak up the dust (all these tips I've learned here, thanks!). I let the 45 cases tumble all day. They came out with the outside obviously very shiny. But my question is how clean should the inside of the cases be (obviously more important than the outsides)? Some came out very clean, others not so. I dont intend to be OCD about this, I just wanted to make sure I was doing things right. TIA __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

November 16, 2009, 06:53 PM	#2
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	I tumble my cases for 2-3 hours max. Just enough to make sure they are clean enough to run through my dies. I use no additive, as my walnut media works great alone. Getting absolutely all the grime out of the cases is not mandatory. In fact, some guys just wipe down the outside of the case with a rag. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

November 17, 2009, 02:22 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	They don't have to be sanitary, just clean! I tumble mine for 45 mins to 1 hour MAX. If they need more than that, they'll get more next time around. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 17, 2009, 04:47 AM	#6
Dannyl Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 627	1 Hr is almost always enough Hi, The only time I tumble longer than that is when I get cases that are VERY dirty, either from friends or brass that was left out for a long time at the range. I use a Lyman tymbler with corn-cob media, Brgds, Danny

November 17, 2009, 08:32 AM	#7
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	Thanks all for the input, much appreciated! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

November 16, 2009, 06:59 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	The inside doesn't matter - the outside is nice to look at and helps when you're resizing. A few hours should do fine. When it starts taking too long. change out some of the media

November 16, 2009, 10:54 PM	#4
Ivan Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 141	Make sure there isn't stuff stuck to the inside of the case to reduce capacity and of course make sure there isn't any tumbler media stuck in the flash hole. (Fairly likely in very narrow mouthed cases.) Other than that, powder scorched is just fine. I usta tumble for more like 8-10 hours (Just start it up before work and turn off when I get home). - Ivan.

November 17, 2009, 11:03 AM	#8
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	I've found no differance in function if I tumble for an hour or overnight. Mosy certainly there is a big differance in exterior apperance. 1-3 hours gets em clean. If factory new shine is the goal, leave em run overnight. (This is what I usually do as I typically get to my bench late in the evening)

November 17, 2009, 11:41 AM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Run time depends on how dirty the media is - when its new, an hour or so is plenty - after I've run 6 or 8 batches - run it another hour or so... / after 12 batches or so I usually let it run about 4 hours.... but like others advised, you just want to get the powder residue, discoloration off.

November 17, 2009, 11:49 AM	#10
edward5759 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ. 30 miles from water, two feet from Hell. Posts: 355	I shoot benchrest So the inside of the cases does matter. I wash them in soap and water then a good rinse. after sizing I degrease and clean with Phosphoric Acid. "citric acid" then tumble for 30 minutes. I don't clean hand gun rounds.

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