case cleaning - The Firearms Forum

Maddmaxx · 11-17-2012, 01:08 PM

Which is better, Tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner that uses liquid?

woolleyworm · 11-17-2012, 01:28 PM

it is all dependent upon your taste; they both do a good job. Tumbler is "easier" in terms of time consumption; I just set mine before I leave for work and let it run on a timer. Ultrasonic can't do as big of a batch at one time and requires a little more hands on. Ultrasonics can also do more than just clean brass; small parts and bolts can be cleaned in a few minutes.

noylj · 11-17-2012, 08:12 PM

Start at the very beginning: You need to wipe off dirt/sand/grime from the case exterior so you don't damage the sizing die or put scratches down your case.
Any cleaning beyond that is being done for your own personal desire for clean/shiny or to save time from wiping off each case.
Thus, either one is far more than needed.
I prefer to deprime my brass and tumble for 30 minutes in 20/40 corn. Ultrasonic can get the brass cleaner (clean interior and primer pocket), and the black residue being removed has no effect on function or accuracy, but you then have to rinse the cases in water and dry them.

Munch · 11-18-2012, 08:55 PM

I prefer tumbling over the ultrasonic for the simple fact that I don't like having to wait for my brass to dry. Utrasonic does a great job cleaning, I just prefer to tumble with a little polish in the media. I get great results, and I like the sound of the brass rolling around.

312shooter · 11-18-2012, 09:41 PM

I have used dry vibratory, ultrasonic and wet tumbling, I
much prefer wet tumbling, no mess, no chemicals and nothing to buy ever again. Water and your favorite dish soap and you are done.

streetbob · 11-18-2012, 11:00 PM

That is a good idea shooter... I am going to have to give it a try. How much water and soap do you use? How good does it clean the inside and primer pockets?

Kestral · 11-19-2012, 05:28 AM

I have both, Tumble & Ultrasonic. 75% of the time I use the Tumbler.I find it less of a hassle.I soak the cases 1st for 30mins in warm water & Limescale Remover,then wash them in plain hot water after rinsing well in warm soapy water.by this time they have a very weak pink tinge in colour.I then put them in the tumbler media for about 1& 1/2 hrs and they come out looking brilliant.I then clean out thr primer pockets plus any corn cob left inside.put them away till the next day to thoroughly dry.If you dry them 1st before the tumble I find doesn`t shine the cases as much as putting them in wet; but the joice is yours as to how quickly you need to start loading.Must point out I only reload handgun cartridges,so am not quoting the above for rifle rds as I have no experiance in these.

stev32k · 11-19-2012, 07:04 AM

Here's another thread on the same subject. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=115713

soundguy · 11-19-2012, 09:04 AM

i vibro mine.. then US clean them.. let dry.. then process them..

11-17-2012, 01:08 PM	#1
Maddmaxx V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 50	case cleaning Which is better, Tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner that uses liquid? -->

11-17-2012, 01:28 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: case cleaning it is all dependent upon your taste; they both do a good job. Tumbler is "easier" in terms of time consumption; I just set mine before I leave for work and let it run on a timer. Ultrasonic can't do as big of a batch at one time and requires a little more hands on. Ultrasonics can also do more than just clean brass; small parts and bolts can be cleaned in a few minutes. __________________ . 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." .

11-17-2012, 08:12 PM	#3
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 116	Start at the very beginning: You need to wipe off dirt/sand/grime from the case exterior so you don't damage the sizing die or put scratches down your case. Any cleaning beyond that is being done for your own personal desire for clean/shiny or to save time from wiping off each case. Thus, either one is far more than needed. I prefer to deprime my brass and tumble for 30 minutes in 20/40 corn. Ultrasonic can get the brass cleaner (clean interior and primer pocket), and the black residue being removed has no effect on function or accuracy, but you then have to rinse the cases in water and dry them. Last edited by noylj; 11-17-2012 at 08:13 PM..

11-18-2012, 08:55 PM	#4
Munch V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Puyallup, WA. Posts: 321	Re: case cleaning I prefer tumbling over the ultrasonic for the simple fact that I don't like having to wait for my brass to dry. Utrasonic does a great job cleaning, I just prefer to tumble with a little polish in the media. I get great results, and I like the sound of the brass rolling around.

11-18-2012, 09:41 PM	#5
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,158	Re: case cleaning I have used dry vibratory, ultrasonic and wet tumbling, I much prefer wet tumbling, no mess, no chemicals and nothing to buy ever again. Water and your favorite dish soap and you are done. __________________ "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

11-18-2012, 11:00 PM	#6
streetbob V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Gulf Coast, Texas Posts: 216	Re: case cleaning That is a good idea shooter... I am going to have to give it a try. How much water and soap do you use? How good does it clean the inside and primer pockets?

11-19-2012, 05:28 AM	#7
Kestral V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Guernsey Channel Islands Posts: 359	Re: case cleaning I have both, Tumble & Ultrasonic. 75% of the time I use the Tumbler.I find it less of a hassle.I soak the cases 1st for 30mins in warm water & Limescale Remover,then wash them in plain hot water after rinsing well in warm soapy water.by this time they have a very weak pink tinge in colour.I then put them in the tumbler media for about 1& 1/2 hrs and they come out looking brilliant.I then clean out thr primer pockets plus any corn cob left inside.put them away till the next day to thoroughly dry.If you dry them 1st before the tumble I find doesn`t shine the cases as much as putting them in wet; but the joice is yours as to how quickly you need to start loading.Must point out I only reload handgun cartridges,so am not quoting the above for rifle rds as I have no experiance in these.

11-19-2012, 07:04 AM	#8
stev32k V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 411	Re: case cleaning Here's another thread on the same subject. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=115713

11-19-2012, 09:04 AM	#9
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,736	Re: case cleaning i vibro mine.. then US clean them.. let dry.. then process them..