I have been doing a little research on cleaning my brass. I was going to buy an RCBS media tumbler and then I saw the RCBS Ultrasonic brass cleaner and then today I see that Franklin has a stainless media cleaner. Decisions, decisions! I only want to buy once. Any suggestion's from the experienced?
Advice For A Brass Tumbler
- Thread starter Rem54
- Start date
Frankford Arsenal "platinum" stainless tumbler is the ONLY way to go.
There will be some old farts that will say that they are happy with their vibratory tumblers, but you probably won't find a single person on the whole internet that will recommend it after using the FA tumbler.
You'll pay more upfront for the FA, but your brass will come out WAY cleaner, and WAY faster. Time saved in the long run is worth a lot more than a couple of hundred bucks more you would pay for the FA.
I've used both the vibratory and ultrasonic ones before, and now looking back I cant figure out why I didn't switch to FA sooner.
There will be some old farts that will say that they are happy with their vibratory tumblers, but you probably won't find a single person on the whole internet that will recommend it after using the FA tumbler.
You'll pay more upfront for the FA, but your brass will come out WAY cleaner, and WAY faster. Time saved in the long run is worth a lot more than a couple of hundred bucks more you would pay for the FA.
I've used both the vibratory and ultrasonic ones before, and now looking back I cant figure out why I didn't switch to FA sooner.
-Wet tumbling with stainless media is the best. It really cleans the brass and you never have to buy more media. No one who has ever tried it would go back to any other method (aaaannnd cue the lone guy who disagrees...);
-Ultrasonic, some people like, some people swear it doesn't do anything more than just letting the brass soak in the same solution;
-Media (corn or walnut) is the traditionnal. It doesn't clean the primer pocket or the inside of the brass. It's the least expensive equipment to acquire.
If you have the money, go for SS tumbler. I once tumbled once-fired brass in my wet tumbler that had been dry-tumbled previously, and the water came out just as dirty as if dry-tumbling had absolutely no effect. If you don't have the money, then any tumbler will let you inspect cases for cracks or defects.
I am so happy that I went with stainless steels pins!!! In a old rock polisher for a faction of the cost. No dust, no mess, and easy on the ears. I have it in the kitchen and can watch tv 20 ft away and not have to turn up the volume. There is too many plus's to go any other way.
This pretty well sums it up
I have one of the large Hornady Hot Tub ultrasonic cleaners and a Franford Arsenal tumbler with SS pins
I once ran the brass through the ultrasonic several times with various types of solution - it looked pretty clean but then my Franford Arsenal tumbler showed up and I ran it though it - the seemingly clean brass left the water so dirty that it came out black
No comparison IMO
Dry tumbled for years, recently bought a lyman cyclone from P&D in Edmonton. I was looking for a frankford arsenal but this was a good price and I liked the sorting pans included.
I will never go back to dry. Anyone who suggests anything but wet tumbling with stainless steel should go see a doctor about that head injury they have.
I will never go back to dry. Anyone who suggests anything but wet tumbling with stainless steel should go see a doctor about that head injury they have.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
You quickly forget about the price when you look at the gold that comes out of the tumbler.
I would never imagine going back to dry or ultra sonic cleaning.
Cheapest option is a rock tumbler. They're small and you still need media.
For $300 you can build a pretty kick@ss tumbler. If you're not that handy, the above mentioned is you're best bet. Of course we're talking ss wet tumbling. Is there even another way to clean brass?
For $300 you can build a pretty kick@ss tumbler. If you're not that handy, the above mentioned is you're best bet. Of course we're talking ss wet tumbling. Is there even another way to clean brass?
Good question. Wondering the same thing myself.
DiabeticKripple
CGN Regular
- Location
- Red Deer, Alberta
Cabelas carries them. I got mine for Wolverine in Red Deer.
Used it for the first time without reading any instructions lol. Didn't wash the brass after so it's still got residue. Needs another tumble and rinse and it'll be good to go.
That said I packed 500 .223 and 160 7mm Rem Mag and 5lbs of pins into it. She was heavy!
Used it for the first time without reading any instructions lol. Didn't wash the brass after so it's still got residue. Needs another tumble and rinse and it'll be good to go.
That said I packed 500 .223 and 160 7mm Rem Mag and 5lbs of pins into it. She was heavy!
