Brass Cleaners - The Firearms Forum

dons2346 · 11-23-2011, 12:01 AM

Thinking about buying a brass cleaner. Should I get a tumbler or a vibrator?

Popgunner · 11-23-2011, 12:06 AM

Most reloaders use vibratories because they're so much faster at getting the job done.

woolleyworm · 11-23-2011, 12:30 AM

Vibratory is the most cost effective and common. Nothing against tumblers though, they work very well too. Thumbler has been around for many years with great durable products.

I've used ultrasonics too and for 99% of the time, Vibratory is the way to go. Ultrasonics are nice if you want perfectly clean brass and have the time; they're much slower than either a tumbler or vibe.

noylj · 11-23-2011, 01:56 AM

I've had a vibratory cleaner. Now I have a tumbler. Much happier.
20/40 grit corn for 30 minutes is all you need.

dons2346 · 11-23-2011, 04:07 PM

With an ultrasonic, what median is used?

bobpayne44 · 11-23-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

With an ultrasonic, what median is used?

i have almost quit using my vibrating as its alot faster with my hornady magnum cleaner i use the hornady solution 1 ounce to 40 ounces of water

i clean about 300 9mm in 8 minutes and can clean about 1200 or so without changing water.

bobpayne44 · 11-23-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

I've used ultrasonics too and for 99% of the time, Vibratory is the way to go. Ultrasonics are nice if you want perfectly clean brass and have the time; they're much slower than either a tumbler or vibe.

dont see how that is true, i can put 1000 9mm in my lyman magnum and 4 hours later they still need a little cleaning on some and the insides dont get all that clean

I can throw about 300 9mm in my hornady magnum sonic cleaner and 8 minutes later they are clean inside and out and if i have deprimed them first the primer pockets are as clean as new, sure you gotta let them dry out but i usually get all my brass prepped at one time and may not load for a week or so but if im in a hurry i can put all the sonic cleaned brass on a cookie sheet in the oven on about 250 for 15 - 20 minutes let them cool and crank them out..

so lets do the math

1000 in 4 hours with walnut in a tumbler

or 300 at a time for 8 minutes so 1000 would be 32 minutes + 20 minutes in oven so in 52 minutes start to finish cleaning im loading.

312shooter · 11-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Thumblers model B here, and I'll never go back! Tumble in tapwater, dishsoap, and stainless pins for 3 hours and you have factory new brass in and out. No poking media out of flashholes, no media dust and particles gumming up dies and equipment (especially progressives) no need to buy media ever again and most of all NO CHEMICALS. Initial cost is more but its clean, quiet, fast and produces perfect results every time. See here and seriously consider if it is affordable to you... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-6SOiWE8Hc

noylj · 11-23-2011, 10:13 PM

If I put cases in brass cleaning solution, the cases are pretty clean after 12 hours. If I put cases in the ultrasonic with the solution, I have clean cases after an hour (except there are always a few cases that are still dirty on the inside).
If I put the cases in 20/40 corn for 30 minutes, the outside is perfectly shiny and the inside is black but clean.
It all depends how much time and effort you feel like expending.

11-23-2011, 12:01 AM	#1
dons2346 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Move between WA and points south Contributor Posts: 1,415	Brass Cleaners Thinking about buying a brass cleaner. Should I get a tumbler or a vibrator? __________________ "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." --Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, 1785 -->

11-23-2011, 12:06 AM	#2
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Brass Cleaners Most reloaders use vibratories because they're so much faster at getting the job done.

11-23-2011, 12:30 AM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Brass Cleaners Vibratory is the most cost effective and common. Nothing against tumblers though, they work very well too. Thumbler has been around for many years with great durable products. I've used ultrasonics too and for 99% of the time, Vibratory is the way to go. Ultrasonics are nice if you want perfectly clean brass and have the time; they're much slower than either a tumbler or vibe. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-23-2011, 01:56 AM	#4
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Re: Brass Cleaners I've had a vibratory cleaner. Now I have a tumbler. Much happier. 20/40 grit corn for 30 minutes is all you need.

11-23-2011, 04:07 PM	#5
dons2346 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Move between WA and points south Contributor Posts: 1,415	Re: Brass Cleaners With an ultrasonic, what median is used? __________________ "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." --Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, 1785

11-23-2011, 08:57 PM	#8
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Brass Cleaners Thumblers model B here, and I'll never go back! Tumble in tapwater, dishsoap, and stainless pins for 3 hours and you have factory new brass in and out. No poking media out of flashholes, no media dust and particles gumming up dies and equipment (especially progressives) no need to buy media ever again and most of all NO CHEMICALS. Initial cost is more but its clean, quiet, fast and produces perfect results every time. See here and seriously consider if it is affordable to you... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-6SOiWE8Hc __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin Last edited by 312shooter; 11-23-2011 at 09:23 PM..

11-23-2011, 10:13 PM	#9
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Re: Brass Cleaners If I put cases in brass cleaning solution, the cases are pretty clean after 12 hours. If I put cases in the ultrasonic with the solution, I have clean cases after an hour (except there are always a few cases that are still dirty on the inside). If I put the cases in 20/40 corn for 30 minutes, the outside is perfectly shiny and the inside is black but clean. It all depends how much time and effort you feel like expending.