Tumbler Media Question

[Claudius Valarium]

How long can I expect tumbler media to last? And, how can I tell if it's ready to be changed?

I have added a few capfuls of Cabela's polish to walnut media and have cleaned about 1000 cases.

CV

[LesterPTelestrat]

I find it lasts longer if you don't use polish. However polish gives it a more lubricated feel and nicer look. Usually when the media starts to get pretty dark from the carbon I change it. 3 or 4 cleanings minimum.

[woolleyworm]

I get at least a year out of treated walnut; approx 5000pc per year. I just changed my media at the end of last month; it was approx 18-20mo old and getting a little dirty and the grit was breaking down to finer particles. I take used dryer sheets and cut each one into approx 6-8 pieces; add these to the media when you add your brass. ( approx 15-30 min after you've added any polish ) I change out the dryer sheets each batch, they pick up alot of dust and debris.

[JLA]

I use mine til its black, then change it out. sometimes it lasts a year, sometimes a month, depends on how often I tumble

[LDBennett]

Corn cob media has a pretty short life whereas Walnut shell media seems to last forever for me.

Remember that corn cob media cleans only adequately but give a polish to the brass. Walnut shell media cleans very well but gives the brass a more satiny finish. With the walnut shell media this is no problem if you use any of the name brand die sets (other than LEE) as they burnish the brass making it smooth and shinny. After reloading it is hard to tell which cleaning media was used, in my experience, except the corn cob media cleaned brass may have powder stains still on it. More time in the vibratory cleaner with corn cob media may eventually remove even those hard to remove stains (like overnight). While I have not tested it, the LEE Factory Crimp Die for pistol cartridges may do the burnishing the regular Lee seating die fails to do adequately???).

I use the walnut shell media and run my Dillon Vibratory Brass cleaner for about 3 hours and find that adequate for my purposes.

LDBennett

[Claudius Valarium]

Thanks. The walnut media is starting to turn darker color. And, just wanted to know how long I could push it. I'm trying not to add too much of the polish, so that's still a work in progress - trying to get the mix right. I'll make sure I'm adding the polish a half hour before the brass goes in - I have not been doing that. Wondered about that the first time I put in the polish.
CV

[Whipper]

Stainless steel last forever.

[medalguy]

My routine is to add NuFinish car polish to the media ( works great and it's cheap) about a glug to the barrel, run it 10 minutes before putting brass in, and throw several cut-up dryer sheets to trap the dirt. Also add a couple of capfuls of mineral spirits every other load to soften up the carbon on the brass and reactivate the polish.

I can run cob a long time by doing these few things to extend its life. I may change the media out after maybe 20 loads or 20,000 rounds of rifle brass. I have a LARGE tumbler.

[springerbuster]

I use walnut shell first. I then deprime and size. Next I run it in the tumbler with corncob and polish. I change media after about 5000 rounds. Check out an industrial supply store for both types of media. 50lb bag of corncob for $18. I think the walnut was even cheaper than that.

[JLA]

^^^ I get mine at harbor freight ^^^

[jdon72]

springerbuster, Where do you get yours for so cheap? I have spent in the mid 30's for 50lb corncob. Please post link.

Jla, how much is yours and can you post link.




I use nufinish as well and tumblers. I got off ebay from this guy. Originally rock polisher and they work awesome. I just add a glug as well. It is around 7 a bottle here. If anyone can get cheaper, please post.

J

[JLA]

they arent lisying it on the website j, I hit the HF off hwy 26 in NRH when i need more fine corn cob and they have it. Dunno why they arent listing it on the website, all they got listed there is cramic media...

[oldgunfan]

I use about 70% corncob 30% walnut. It will last me 6 months to a year depends on how much you use it.

[springerbuster]

I go to a store called LaGrand industrial supply. It is located in Portland Oregon. They sell different types of media for sandblasting in the construction industry. I think that they are just local, but I would think that in other city's there would be the same type of stores.

[jdon72]

Thanks for the input.

J

[bayhawk2]

Old gun fan=Sounds good.I never thought of that.A mix of both.
One scrubs.One polishes..
Kind of sounds too simple.thanks.

[jdon72]

I would think the walnut wears on the cob more and still leaves scuffing. It is not like the media knows to do it in order.

J

[A.Wildman]

another fan of Stainless Steel Media, your cases may look purtty on the outside,, but, it is the inside that counts too, and S.S. Media is the only cleaning device that will clean inside as well as outside, try it you will like it and will never go back to corn cob or walnut.

[Oti-1]

I have found the walnut to be very fast compaired to corn cob. I am concerned about the redbresidue that is left inside the case. Also I shoot 3 times a week, in the snow. If the moisture makes it to the tumbler, it makes pottery instead if shiny brass. I stint in front of the wood stove and ready to tumble

I also use the tumbler to remove case lube after rounds are loaded. The corn cob took an hour or two. Then was swollen and less effective. The walnut is ten ti fifteen minutes and no greasy feeling. Bam! Time to go bang bang!

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by A.Wildman

another fan of Stainless Steel Media, your cases may look purtty on the outside,, but, it is the inside that counts too, and S.S. Media is the only cleaning device that will clean inside as well as outside, try it you will like it and will never go back to corn cob or walnut.

ok, so I looked up the effects of SS media and WOW, that is some CLEAN BRASS !!! Quite a bit more work than walnut, I may give this a go for rifle brass, but no way for pistol brass, I'd be tumbling and drying for days.

YouTube - Stainless Tumbling Media and you'll find several clips.

[Whipper]

Woolley,
Pistol brass will actually clean faster and dry faster then rifle brass as the size difference. all tho it may be freeze dried right now in TX.

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by Whipper

Woolley,
Pistol brass will actually clean faster and dry faster then rifle brass as the size difference. all tho it may be freeze dried right now in TX.

I'm just thinking about how much 1000 38's and 2000 45's weigh; at 2-2.5#'s per batch, that's alot of 2-3hr batch run times. I suppose if I did it a little at a time, I could spread it out over a month. I came up with about $270 for the upfront cost of a SS setup..... not sure I need spotless brass that badly. If I already had a Thumbler, then it would certainly be worth it to try out though. I'll keep my eyes out for a used one, they turn up at estate sales every now and then, just gotta be the large capacity one.


and yes, everything is freeze drying right now...... miserable nasty weather....

[JLA]

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

ok, so I looked up the effects of SS media and WOW, that is some CLEAN BRASS !!! Quite a bit more work than walnut, I may give this a go for rifle brass, but no way for pistol brass, I'd be tumbling and drying for days.

YouTube - Stainless Tumbling Media and you'll find several clips.

nah, just 'rinse' it in a pot of boiling clean water, then when you got the brass good n rinsed strain the water off in the sink and the brass will dry very quickly spread out on a towel because its hot...

[captjack6]

From a newbe Has anyone tried to put the shells in a mesh bag and run it thru the dishwasher cycleafter tumbling?

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by captjack6

From a newbe Has anyone tried to put the shells in a mesh bag and run it thru the dishwasher cycleafter tumbling?

If they have, it would only have been once ! Water, especially hot water will swell the media and pretty much ruin it. Just toss a few pieces of cut up dryer sheet into your tumber as it is running and it will grab most of the dirt/debris. I'm also going to give the cotton ball idea a try the next time I tumble.