tumbler media? - The Firearms Forum

socalfamous87 · 11-26-2011, 03:23 PM

Can I use walnut sand blaster media in a tumbler to clean brass? Or is the walnut media from the gun stores completly different?

JLA · 11-26-2011, 03:59 PM

That sandbalster media is incredibly dusty stuff. the media for cleaning cartridge cases is usually much cleaner. No reason you cant use it though. Just keep in mind it will make a cloud when you run it in a tumbler..

woolleyworm · 11-26-2011, 04:06 PM

like JLA stated, it's just a different grit/grade. No reason at all that you can't use it. If you want to sift the finer stuff out, get a mesh sieve and stand up wind when you do it. If you treat it, you'll have to let it run for at least 20min before adding your brass. The finer stuff will tend to clump up and you'll need to let those clumps break back up.

socalfamous87 · 11-26-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

That sandbalster media is incredibly dusty stuff. the media for cleaning cartridge cases is usually much cleaner. No reason you cant use it though. Just keep in mind it will make a cloud when you run it in a tumbler..

cause my local hardware store sells is for about $18 for 25 lbs. and i have a coupon for $10 off the next purchase. i ccan pick up BOUT 25 LBS for about 8 bucks. just wasnt sure if it was a good thing to use

reynolds357 · 11-26-2011, 04:34 PM

I have had the best luck with treated corn cobb.

medalguy · 11-27-2011, 12:11 PM

Yeah there's a difference.....the gun store stuff is twice as expensive.

Seriously, use the cheaper stuff. Sometimes it can be dustier, and in that case, add a capful or two of plain mineral spirits and a cut-up dryer sheet (2 inch squares is good) to the mix. The mineral spirits will aid in removing the carbon and crud from the brass, and hold down the dust. The dryer sheet will remove most of the dust and crud, making the next batch less dirty and extending the life of the media.

Walnut is best for cleaning dirt and carbon, cob is best for polishing. Add Nufinish car polish to the cob for fastest polishing.

tommixx · 11-27-2011, 01:25 PM

I have used sand blast walnut for years with no problems,it was ab chance product that was used to blast clean insulators.

312shooter · 11-27-2011, 03:10 PM

Yes I have exclusively used the blast media from Harbor Frieight, the newer lots have been MUCH more dust free, it used to be terrible stuff but QC has really improved, worst comes to worst throw in a few dryer sheets and it will reduce the problem.

Caneman · 11-27-2011, 05:45 PM

anyone use ceramic or stainless media? guys using this say its da bomb...

JLA · 11-27-2011, 05:55 PM

Id love too but too dang 'spensive..

312shooter · 11-27-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caneman

anyone use ceramic or stainless media? guys using this say its da bomb...

Yes, I have recently went to a thumblers model b and stainless pins. Hands down the greatest tumbling method ever. Clean and chemical free, nothing to buy ever again. I use dawn soap and soft water and they come out brand spanking new, best of all no screwing around with primer pockets, and for those "purists" the inside of the case is mirror perfect clean as well. Yes it is more costly but it will pay for itself over time like all of our reloading toys do.

Caneman · 11-27-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 312shooter

Yes, I have recently went to a thumblers model b and stainless pins. Hands down the greatest tumbling method ever. Clean and chemical free, nothing to buy ever again. I use dawn soap and soft water and they come out brand spanking new, best of all no screwing around with primer pockets, and for those "purists" the inside of the case is mirror perfect clean as well. Yes it is more costly but it will pay for itself over time like all of our reloading toys do.

do you have to use a rotary tumbler with the ss pins or can use a vibratory type as well?

312shooter · 11-27-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caneman

do you have to use a rotary tumbler with the ss pins or can use a vibratory type as well?

The SS pins are designed to work with soap and water, I'm pretty certain a vibratory tumbler would not aggetate the pins enough to work. So a rotary tumbler is key, with a water tight drum. The total weight with water, pins and brass is 15lbs so quite a bit of work is required for that kind of load. Here's a quick vid on the before and after, the brass pictured is exactly how it comes out every time.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdvq3Kc_Vm0

Here's the instruction vid.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-6SOiWE8Hc

The Duke · 11-28-2011, 12:14 PM

I picked up 25lbs of Walnut at Horrible Freight yesterday for $25 dollars...My hand stuck to a box of the ceramic media and it wound up in the basket also...Ill try it in a few days or so...Im thinking it may work to clean the polish ring around the vib-bucket..

socalfamous87 · 11-29-2011, 11:55 AM

harbor freight does pay off from time to time!

11-26-2011, 03:23 PM	#1
socalfamous87 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 112	tumbler media? Can I use walnut sand blaster media in a tumbler to clean brass? Or is the walnut media from the gun stores completly different? -->

11-26-2011, 03:59 PM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: tumbler media? That sandbalster media is incredibly dusty stuff. the media for cleaning cartridge cases is usually much cleaner. No reason you cant use it though. Just keep in mind it will make a cloud when you run it in a tumbler.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-26-2011, 04:06 PM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: tumbler media? like JLA stated, it's just a different grit/grade. No reason at all that you can't use it. If you want to sift the finer stuff out, get a mesh sieve and stand up wind when you do it. If you treat it, you'll have to let it run for at least 20min before adding your brass. The finer stuff will tend to clump up and you'll need to let those clumps break back up. __________________ . 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." .

11-26-2011, 04:34 PM	#5
reynolds357 Former Guest Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 707	Re: tumbler media? I have had the best luck with treated corn cobb.

11-27-2011, 12:11 PM	#6
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: tumbler media? Yeah there's a difference.....the gun store stuff is twice as expensive. Seriously, use the cheaper stuff. Sometimes it can be dustier, and in that case, add a capful or two of plain mineral spirits and a cut-up dryer sheet (2 inch squares is good) to the mix. The mineral spirits will aid in removing the carbon and crud from the brass, and hold down the dust. The dryer sheet will remove most of the dust and crud, making the next batch less dirty and extending the life of the media. Walnut is best for cleaning dirt and carbon, cob is best for polishing. Add Nufinish car polish to the cob for fastest polishing.

11-27-2011, 01:25 PM	#7
tommixx Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: montana Posts: 10	Re: tumbler media? I have used sand blast walnut for years with no problems,it was ab chance product that was used to blast clean insulators.

11-27-2011, 03:10 PM	#8
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: tumbler media? Yes I have exclusively used the blast media from Harbor Frieight, the newer lots have been MUCH more dust free, it used to be terrible stuff but QC has really improved, worst comes to worst throw in a few dryer sheets and it will reduce the problem. __________________ "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

11-27-2011, 05:45 PM	#9
Caneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,280	Re: tumbler media? anyone use ceramic or stainless media? guys using this say its da bomb...

11-27-2011, 05:55 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: tumbler media? Id love too but too dang 'spensive.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-28-2011, 12:14 PM	#14
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: tumbler media? I picked up 25lbs of Walnut at Horrible Freight yesterday for $25 dollars...My hand stuck to a box of the ceramic media and it wound up in the basket also...Ill try it in a few days or so...Im thinking it may work to clean the polish ring around the vib-bucket.. __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

11-29-2011, 11:55 AM	#15
socalfamous87 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 112	Re: tumbler media? harbor freight does pay off from time to time!