Tumbling Media How Much ?

[KEYBEAR]

So I ask the OP again... if your tumbler is water tight, have you considered using stainless pins? Less than 2 hours with a smidge of soap and citric acid and your cases will look factory new.


Yes I considered it and after seeing some you tube videos decided not for me .
I am happy with dry tumbling and only ask a question about media nothing else .

 

[noylj]

Hey Troll

I don't like being called a liar. It took my last batch in a Thumler's Tumbler and 5# of pins 8 hours to get clean and soot free. THAT is the truth (in fact, after 8 hours, I could still find some soot in a couple of primer pockets). It took my US cleaner 25 minutes to get the cases as clean (but not as shiny) and soot free. THAT is the truth. It took my 20/40 corn 30 minutes to get the cases as clean as I want (shiny case exterior), but they obviously still had soot in the case and primer pocket.
You really want to call me a liar?

 

[Gravedigger56]

I don't like being called a liar. It took my last batch in a Thumler's Tumbler and 5# of pins 8 hours to get clean and soot free. THAT is the truth (in fact, after 8 hours, I could still find some soot in a couple of primer pockets). It took my US cleaner 25 minutes to get the cases as clean (but not as shiny) and soot free. THAT is the truth.

Wow that does seem like a long time. What is your pin/brass ratio? Maybe you need to add more pins. I have read where some reloaders feel that 5# of pins isn't enough in the larger tumblers like the Thumler's and the Franford Arsenal.

When I throw absolutely filthy, dirt encrusted range brass into my tumbler w/SS pins, it comes out looking brand new in less than 2 hours. My once-fired brass only takes about an hour.

 

[Gravedigger56]

Yes I considered it and after seeing some you tube videos decided not for me .

Good idea but don't give up on the idea completely. Wet tumbling can become an addiction.

I will say that the youtube videos make it look like more work than it actually is. I also almost stayed away after I watched several videos but I'm sure happy I went ahead anyway.

 

[axismatt]

You really want to call me a liar?

Nobody called you a liar... you inferred it, and my statement was reasonable given that there's literally hundreds of SS users here on this board who will attest to sparkling clean brass in less than 2 hours.

I should have said, "You're doing it wrong! Get your process right before telling folks why a particular product is good/bad/otherwise"

 

[axismatt]

Yes I considered it and after seeing some you tube videos decided not for me .

I agree, some of the videos make it look like a hassle. I also think some youtube folks love the camera time and will turn a 3 minute video into a 9 minute video.

Wet stainless media is probably the single biggest time saving trick, of all the little tricks you learn over years of reloading. Give it a try if you've already got the equipment.

 

[noylj]

OK. My process:
1) 5# SS pins in Thumler's Tumbler
2) Fill about ½ with cases
3) Add Hot water to about 2" below rim
4) Squirt of Dawn
5) 1-2 tsps of Citric Acid or Lemi-Shine

After 1 hour, the outside is clean, but not the inside or primer pocket
After 2 hours, slightly better
After 4 hours, inside nearly all clean and some soot still in primer pockets
After 6-8 hours, all cases are clean and all primer pockets are clean or nearly so.

Where am I going wrong?

 

[Gravedigger56]

Where am I going wrong?

I'm not really familiar with the Thumler's but from what I've viewed it is a big, large capacity tumbler. For a starter I would recommend adding more pins. I read somewhere that a recommended amount was 8# for your tumbler and the FART. Also you might want to try reducing the amount of water and see what happens. After you add the brass and media, fill so the water is just above the contents, maybe 3/4 full max. That's what I've found works best in my FA tumbler.

I was told that every so often, I should tumble with just the pins and cleaner to remove any deposits/crud that may have dried on the interior of the unit followed by a good scrubbing with a scotchpad especially if the inside is rubberized like the FA tumbler.

 

[axismatt]

Yeah, I don't know the size of your tumbler's drum, but my Lortone tumber (model QT66) has 2 drums, each @ #6 ( listed dimentions are 6.75 dia. x 3.625 deep).

I give sizes so that you might gleen the proper volume of pins for yours. I split the #5 kit between the two drums, so #2.5 each. It doesn't matter how few cases I put in the drums, but I don't fill them more than about 2/3 full. soap and citric acid in small amounts, and I fill with water to level with the top of the cases inside.

I suspect that your drum is MUCH larger, which might just require more pins. You certainly can't have too many pins, so long as the drum is filled so you get a nice, aggressive churn. So try less water and more pins and see if it helps.

Question, is the inside of your drum faceted? If not, you may need to add something inside to help the churning.

I was told that every so often, I should tumble with just the pins and cleaner to remove any deposits/crud that may have dried on the interior of the unit followed by a good scrubbing with a scotchpad especially if the inside is rubberized like the FA tumbler]

After about 10/15 uses, the pins can develop a dirty coating, leading to less effective brass cleaning, so it is helpful to run just the pins for an hour with simple green/water to strip them. I wouldn't be too concerned with the inside of the drum.

 

[axismatt]

Where am I going wrong?

It's been a few days, Noylj. Have you had a chance to try a different ratio? We have all had such great success that we want to make sure you are satisfied with this process. Please let us know how it's working out.

 

[hartcreek]

I used to wet tumble using a dual drum thumbler and laundry soap. I made a clear lid for one of the drums. The process worked fine but I can do it just as fast with my vibe tumbler and I dont have the mess and the hassle of having to rinse and then dry the brass.

 

[billcarey]

I tumble with walnut and fill halfway, then add brass to the top.

 

[Gravedigger56]

After about 10/15 uses, the pins can develop a dirty coating, leading to less effective brass cleaning, so it is helpful to run just the pins for an hour with simple green/water to strip them. I wouldn't be too concerned with the inside of the drum.

Cool. Thanks for the info. I have a never-used little rotary tumbler that will work great as my dedicated "pin cleaning machine".

It's been a few days, Noylj. Have you had a chance to try a different ratio? We have all had such great success that we want to make sure you are satisfied with this process. Please let us know how it's working out.

Yes. If you've had a chance to try it out. I'm also curious to see if it helped.