Altenative Tumbling Media

shooter_john · September 2, 2006, 12:39 AM

Does anyone have ideas for tumbling media other than corncob or walnut shells? I was thinking that instant (or regular) grits are similar in size, but I don't want to ruin a batch of brass without at least having some idea of what will or will not work. Also, will Brasso do for polishing brass, I ask only because I am out of my normal polish.
And finally, if it is best to stick with corncob or walnut, does anyone know what is used to crush it to that consistency?
Thanks in advance for any help or answers.

sindiesel666 · September 2, 2006, 08:18 AM

Some folks use RICE as a media, but I've never tried it, so I can not attest to it's effectiveness. Couldn't hurt the brass, and it's cheap and plentiful.

DanM2000 · September 2, 2006, 09:01 AM

I am not sure about an alternative media to cob or walnut, but if you buy it at the pet store in 25 lb. bags your cost goes way down. You may have to get them to order the fine grade of cob. The walnut will be right. They keep both for animal bedding, and is dirt cheap this way. Brasso works, I have used it temporarily when I was out of the Midway polish. They say not to use it on cases because it contains ammonia, and may weaken your brass. I haven't had any problems with it. 'Mothers' mag wheel polish is supposed to work good. It has to be non-ammoniated for aluminum wheels. If you don't use a polish , then walnut will leave a brighter shine than cob. If you add polish, there seems to be no difference.

MADISON · September 2, 2006, 11:25 AM

I was wondering, has anybody compared the price of:
Pet Store media to 50 or 100 pounds [I don't know how it is packed.]of RICE at Sam's Club?

918v · September 2, 2006, 11:40 AM

Q-tip and vinegar will get them cleaner.

DanM2000 · September 2, 2006, 11:44 AM

This is the first I have heard of rice as a case cleaner. Does it really work as well as cob? Does it absorb as much dirt?

**Bud Helms** · September 2, 2006, 11:49 AM

It doesn't shine as well as walnut. It's about like corncob media, maybe better. It absorbs lots of dirt.

I've used kitty litter in a pinch. It is very dusty but works well.

ConRich · September 2, 2006, 03:43 PM

I would think that the starch in rice would leave a coating on the brass that would become sticky when heated in the chamber. That's just a thought that I had, nothing scientific.

Rich

scgunsmith · September 2, 2006, 08:14 PM

I use whole grain rice, run it a 1-2 hrs longer then walnut and it cleans as well and a lot cheaper

cdoc42 · September 2, 2006, 08:19 PM

I've tried rice and I wasn't impressed. Seemed the brass had a dull finish.

I've added BonAmi cleanser to corn cob and walnut as some have recommended on this site but I couldn't really say I noticed a big difference. Maybe I didn't add enough. All in all, I'd vote for corn cob if you have to pick one.

On another thread some mentioned Turtle Wax with walnut. I've tried that this weekend. Smells nice. Keeps the dust down from walnut. Brass ends up slippery. But I wonder if wax on the inside of the case will present a problem with the powder.

**Bud Helms** · September 2, 2006, 11:28 PM

A while back there was a good thread on additives for tumbling brass. Ammonia is supposedly an ingredient in some car waxes and polishes. Ammonia can make brass brittle. There was a couple of brands that came out of that thread that were recommended. I'll try to find that old thread.

Found a newer one: here

joshua · September 3, 2006, 07:58 AM

Me and a friend of mine bought once fired 38 super brass from a supplier and the first thing we noticed upon loading and firing were the large amount of split at the case mouths we were having. I'm talking about 50%, we checked our loads and compared with some old brass and sure enough the loads were safe, although these loads were for USPSA open class major loads they are still considered safe. We contacted the supplier and told him our problem and that's when he divulged the information of an amonia based cleaner added to a batch of brass. He ended up giving us credit for future purchases on brass and that was good enough for me. BTW he made sure no more amonia based cleaner used on brass shells. Rice as a tumbling media may work your tumbler a bit harder due to its' heavier weight. josh

September 2, 2006, 12:39 AM	#1
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	Altenative Tumbling Media Does anyone have ideas for tumbling media other than corncob or walnut shells? I was thinking that instant (or regular) grits are similar in size, but I don't want to ruin a batch of brass without at least having some idea of what will or will not work. Also, will Brasso do for polishing brass, I ask only because I am out of my normal polish. And finally, if it is best to stick with corncob or walnut, does anyone know what is used to crush it to that consistency? Thanks in advance for any help or answers. __________________ TROTAC.com

September 2, 2006, 09:01 AM	#3
DanM2000 Member Join Date: December 22, 2005 Posts: 45	I am not sure about an alternative media to cob or walnut, but if you buy it at the pet store in 25 lb. bags your cost goes way down. You may have to get them to order the fine grade of cob. The walnut will be right. They keep both for animal bedding, and is dirt cheap this way. Brasso works, I have used it temporarily when I was out of the Midway polish. They say not to use it on cases because it contains ammonia, and may weaken your brass. I haven't had any problems with it. 'Mothers' mag wheel polish is supposed to work good. It has to be non-ammoniated for aluminum wheels. If you don't use a polish , then walnut will leave a brighter shine than cob. If you add polish, there seems to be no difference. __________________ Ten Bears: "You are the Grey Rider. You would not make peace with the blue coats. You may go in peace." Josey Wales: "I reckon not."

September 2, 2006, 11:25 AM	#4
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Comparing cost I was wondering, has anybody compared the price of: Pet Store media to 50 or 100 pounds [I don't know how it is packed.]of RICE at Sam's Club?

September 2, 2006, 11:44 AM	#6
DanM2000 Member Join Date: December 22, 2005 Posts: 45	This is the first I have heard of rice as a case cleaner. Does it really work as well as cob? Does it absorb as much dirt? __________________ Ten Bears: "You are the Grey Rider. You would not make peace with the blue coats. You may go in peace." Josey Wales: "I reckon not."

September 2, 2006, 08:14 PM	#9
scgunsmith Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Ridgeland SC (aka State of Confusion) Posts: 58	I use whole grain rice, run it a 1-2 hrs longer then walnut and it cleans as well and a lot cheaper __________________ Will work for guns or parts Full Time Gunsmith, Part time dog house tenant Http://www.lowcountry-gunsmith.com

September 2, 2006, 08:18 AM	#2
sindiesel666 Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: San Antonio Posts: 270	Some folks use RICE as a media, but I've never tried it, so I can not attest to it's effectiveness. Couldn't hurt the brass, and it's cheap and plentiful.

September 2, 2006, 11:40 AM	#5
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	Q-tip and vinegar will get them cleaner.

September 2, 2006, 11:49 AM	#7
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	It doesn't shine as well as walnut. It's about like corncob media, maybe better. It absorbs lots of dirt. I've used kitty litter in a pinch. It is very dusty but works well.

September 2, 2006, 03:43 PM	#8
ConRich Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 299	I would think that the starch in rice would leave a coating on the brass that would become sticky when heated in the chamber. That's just a thought that I had, nothing scientific. Rich

September 2, 2006, 08:19 PM	#10
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	I've tried rice and I wasn't impressed. Seemed the brass had a dull finish. I've added BonAmi cleanser to corn cob and walnut as some have recommended on this site but I couldn't really say I noticed a big difference. Maybe I didn't add enough. All in all, I'd vote for corn cob if you have to pick one. On another thread some mentioned Turtle Wax with walnut. I've tried that this weekend. Smells nice. Keeps the dust down from walnut. Brass ends up slippery. But I wonder if wax on the inside of the case will present a problem with the powder.

September 2, 2006, 11:28 PM	#11
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	A while back there was a good thread on additives for tumbling brass. Ammonia is supposedly an ingredient in some car waxes and polishes. Ammonia can make brass brittle. There was a couple of brands that came out of that thread that were recommended. I'll try to find that old thread. Found a newer one: here

September 3, 2006, 07:58 AM	#12
joshua Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: norCal Posts: 2,161	Me and a friend of mine bought once fired 38 super brass from a supplier and the first thing we noticed upon loading and firing were the large amount of split at the case mouths we were having. I'm talking about 50%, we checked our loads and compared with some old brass and sure enough the loads were safe, although these loads were for USPSA open class major loads they are still considered safe. We contacted the supplier and told him our problem and that's when he divulged the information of an amonia based cleaner added to a batch of brass. He ended up giving us credit for future purchases on brass and that was good enough for me. BTW he made sure no more amonia based cleaner used on brass shells. Rice as a tumbling media may work your tumbler a bit harder due to its' heavier weight. josh

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