Brass tumblers

[Westcliffe01]

What did you use for detergent ? Did you use hot or warm water ? If the water was really black, you could be using up all the reactivity of the detergent. I suggest you try one of the concentrated detergents (the HE type). My primer pockets were all impeccably clean.

Remember that the brass and media need to move when tumbling. Too little media or too much media and brass does not work too well.

[Nandy]

I have a vibration tumbler with I believe nut shell media. I dont use it anymore in favor of the ultrasonic bath cleaner. I dont have a picture but they look clean enough for me but I am not to anal about having shinny brass and mostly care about having carbon deposit removed. I mean, they get shiny but not gold looking shiny...

[Blue Avenger]

If you want BIG http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html

[319]

What did you use for detergent ? Did you use hot or warm water ? If the water was really black, you could be using up all the reactivity of the detergent. I suggest you try one of the concentrated detergents (the HE type). My primer pockets were all impeccably clean.

I am pretty sure they suggest cold water on the website, so that is what I used. The water was really black, but there was a lot of suds in the first batch so I don't know what to say there. I am using Dawn HE.
.280 AI after 1 hr
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/319Savage260/IMG_2955.jpg

.338 Edge and .44 Mag before
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/319Savage260/IMG_2974.jpg

.338 Edge and .44 Mag after 2 hours, same recipe as the .280AI cases.
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad288/319Savage260/IMG_2976.jpg

2 hours was much better than 1 hour!!!

[Westcliffe01]

Try the warm water or try hot water, but let the shells sit and soak and when it has cooled some, then run the tumbler. I think the primer residue is hard to disolve in cold water. The rubber lining and the stainless pins and brass won't mind warm water and we all know your clothes come out the washer cleaner if you use at least warm water and whites even better with hot water.

I try to keep the actual tumbling time as low as needed to reduce any work hardening.

[MikeMcC]

Go get some lemishine from the dishwasher detergent section of your grocery store. Add a tablespoon of that to your batch, and they'll come out looking just fine. You don't need to add more of your HE detergent.

[319]

They suggest using 1/4 tsp of Lemi Shine. I used 1/4tsp in the first batch, and 1/2 tsp in the second batch. I am happier with the second batch, although I think it was a little too heavy for the tumbler.

[twarren]

!00 of the 280 brass seems a little much to me at one time. I have found hot or warm water will make the brass darker and not as shiny. I have used the stainless for a couple of years now and have never had a pin stuck in a flash hole. The only problem I have had is with 6.5 cases with the pins sticking in the necks. Overall I am totally satisfied with the stainless media.

[Willoughby]

thumblers tumbler type b heavy duty
google that & youll find a guy who sells a kit complete with media for about 250.00
you will never ever find a better way to clean brass
or a cheaper way after the initial investment
as for as the peening concerns
its very minimal
I only tumble for an hour or two at the most & my brass is cleaner than new
& I inside -outside champher after cleaning
but really even if you didnt I dont see it as being a problem
I use hot water & whatever dish soap is on the sink & tiny biy of lemmy shine
for really ugly brass soak it 1st in water -vinager soulution for a couple hours
best brass cleaning system period.........