Tumbling media... How long does it last? - The Firearms Forum

Horsky1911 · 12-06-2009, 10:07 PM

I finally stepped up to a tumbler and was curious how long media will last. I am using cob media dry. Thanks in advance.

DWARREN123 · 12-06-2009, 10:30 PM

Depands on how often you use it and how much. I usually get aleast a year years use from a 2 gallon bag and I use it about twice weekly.

springerbuster · 12-06-2009, 11:25 PM

Something I discovered about tumbling media. Go to an industrial supply that sells sandblast media used in construction. I have been able to purchase 50 lb bags of both corncob and walnut for about 75 cents a pound. At that price you can afford to throw it away.

LDBennett · 12-07-2009, 08:05 AM

Horsky1911:

I have used both corncob and walnut media (Harbor Freight sells the walnut media). The corn cob media has a limited life but the walnut media seems to go on forever if you get the dust out of it periodically. The corncob media seems to absorb the dirt whereas the walnut media just removes it.

The corncob media is good at polishing whereas the walnut media is good at removing dirt and stains. The walnut media leaves the surface unpolished but clean and cleans the brass quicker. The corncob media may leave stains but the brass is shinier.

I have chosen the walnut shell media for regular use.

LDBennett

woolleyworm · 12-07-2009, 09:48 AM

I use walnut ( pet bedding ) and Roosters brass polish. I save the used dryer sheets from the washing and cut them up into approx 1" square pieces. I turn on the tumbler, add a tblspn of polish. Let mix for 2-3 min and then add the brass and a handful of dryer sheet pieces. The sheets pick up all the fine residue and dirt and is easily removed. Brass comes out nicely cleaned and a good polish for my taste. I will use the media until I can see a noticealbe difference in color between what is in the tumbler and with what is left in the bag.

Horsky1911 · 12-07-2009, 06:06 PM

I have done approximately 1000-1500 rounds of 9mm brass and 60 rounds of 7mm-08, the corn cob media is black but the cases are still coming out good in about 2-3 hrs of tumbling. I guess I am looking for more of a round count than anything else.

12-06-2009, 10:07 PM	#1
Horsky1911 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Claremont, NH Posts: 46	Tumbling media... How long does it last? I finally stepped up to a tumbler and was curious how long media will last. I am using cob media dry. Thanks in advance. __________________ *Teach a kid to shoot, and I do not mean in a video game.* -->

12-06-2009, 10:30 PM	#2
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 764	Re: Tumbling media... How long does it last? Depands on how often you use it and how much. I usually get aleast a year years use from a 2 gallon bag and I use it about twice weekly. __________________ Have a nice day!

12-06-2009, 11:25 PM	#3
springerbuster V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southwest Washington Posts: 154	Re: Tumbling media... How long does it last? Something I discovered about tumbling media. Go to an industrial supply that sells sandblast media used in construction. I have been able to purchase 50 lb bags of both corncob and walnut for about 75 cents a pound. At that price you can afford to throw it away. __________________ The second amendment was put there to protect all of the other amendments

12-07-2009, 08:05 AM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: Tumbling media... How long does it last? Horsky1911: I have used both corncob and walnut media (Harbor Freight sells the walnut media). The corn cob media has a limited life but the walnut media seems to go on forever if you get the dust out of it periodically. The corncob media seems to absorb the dirt whereas the walnut media just removes it. The corncob media is good at polishing whereas the walnut media is good at removing dirt and stains. The walnut media leaves the surface unpolished but clean and cleans the brass quicker. The corncob media may leave stains but the brass is shinier. I have chosen the walnut shell media for regular use. LDBennett

12-07-2009, 09:48 AM	#5
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Tumbling media... How long does it last? I use walnut ( pet bedding ) and Roosters brass polish. I save the used dryer sheets from the washing and cut them up into approx 1" square pieces. I turn on the tumbler, add a tblspn of polish. Let mix for 2-3 min and then add the brass and a handful of dryer sheet pieces. The sheets pick up all the fine residue and dirt and is easily removed. Brass comes out nicely cleaned and a good polish for my taste. I will use the media until I can see a noticealbe difference in color between what is in the tumbler and with what is left in the bag. __________________ . 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." .

12-07-2009, 06:06 PM	#6
Horsky1911 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Claremont, NH Posts: 46	Re: Tumbling media... How long does it last? I have done approximately 1000-1500 rounds of 9mm brass and 60 rounds of 7mm-08, the corn cob media is black but the cases are still coming out good in about 2-3 hrs of tumbling. I guess I am looking for more of a round count than anything else. __________________ *Teach a kid to shoot, and I do not mean in a video game.* Last edited by Horsky1911; 12-07-2009 at 06:07 PM.. Reason: Spelling