Alternatives to cleaning brass other then a tumbler

G

GDavies

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Hey guy I just wanted to ask if there are any alternatives to cleaning brass besides a brass tumbler. I have picked up most of the reloading equipment im going to need but I dont realy have the cash to get a tumbler yet. What are some good other ways to clean brass. I know its going to take longer to clean them if I dont use a tumbler but thats ok. I just want to start reloading. Times something im not realy worryed about. Any Ideas would be great thx you.
 
Lee sells a three jaw chuck for your cordless drill. It comes in two parts, the chuck and the spinner stud. In the Wholesale book the part #s are 54908 and 54909. They cost about 20 bucks. I then go to my local body shop supplier and buy kind of cloth/sandpaper that you use for final sanding. Its like a woven cloth that come in about 6 by 8 inch sheets and it's quite thick, like almost 1/4 inch. I cut that into strips then spin the cases in that. It takes some time but you can get really grungy cases pretty shiny. The benchrest guys have done this for years. I don't do it every time but between this and tumbling you can keep your cases in nice condition.
 
shhhhhh

Shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone:

I use a $10 crappy tire "mouse" orbital sander, with a kraft peanut butter jar velcroed to it full of brass and media. I then put it on a rubermaid tote covered with a t-shirt.

Shhhhhh

Don't tell the equipment junkies

YKD
 
I used to clean brass with hot water, dawn dish detergent and lemon juice. Works good. Just rinse very well and dry throughly(very low oven temp like 95C.

A damp magic eraser does a slick job too.

Been doing this for over a year. Finally broke down and bought a Frankford Arsenal tumbler from Reloaders.ca(forum sponser). WOW I'l never go back! Good price and i'm VERY satisfied!

Good luck!:cool:
 
mlehtovaara said:
my pistol brass goes into large tube socks with a little splash of detergent and then the sock gets tied off and thrown in the wash. dont get the polished look but it gets rid of the soot and dirt.
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:D Can I quote you to my wife ? She thinks I shouldn't throw my denims in with the white stuff. :redface:
 
bedrock said:
Lee sells a three jaw chuck for your cordless drill. It comes in two parts, the chuck and the spinner stud. In the Wholesale book the part #s are 54908 and 54909. They cost about 20 bucks. I then go to my local body shop supplier and buy kind of cloth/sandpaper that you use for final sanding. Its like a woven cloth that come in about 6 by 8 inch sheets and it's quite thick, like almost 1/4 inch. I cut that into strips then spin the cases in that. It takes some time but you can get really grungy cases pretty shiny. The benchrest guys have done this for years. I don't do it every time but between this and tumbling you can keep your cases in nice condition.
Click to expand...

its called scotch brite the red stuff is about 320 grit brown is 280ish
 
It's not cheaper than vibrating or tumbling, but I use ultrasonic cleaning. There are dozens of US cleaning units on eBay. They clean in about 5 minutes AND they clean the primers pockets and the inside of the cases as well as the outside. Vinegar, water and a small amount of powdered electric dishwasher detergent.
 
I used citric acid (powdered, from the drugstore) mixed in water with a few drops of dishsoap until I could afford a tumbler. I swirled them around in a large pail, drained and dried. They didn't eactly cleam like gold, but were more than clean enough to reload.
 
I usually don't bother cleaning my rifle brass. The only part that is dirty is the neck so I just wipe the necks with a rag with WD40 on it. Then I wipe the case lube off after resizing. The cases aren't shiny but I don't care.
 
why not just use a tumbler? i made my own from a motor i found at princess auto and a 5 gallon bucket. cost about $15 and works great.
 
before I had a tumbler I used to wash my brass in one of those nylon nets to keep your panties separate available at dollarama. use to wash them in the clothes washer. It will get them clean enough to load with. However you need to size then let them dry forever. Water in the casing could hamper ignition.
 
buy some media an put it in a plastic coffee can
add brass
put a wrap of tape on it to make sure the lid stays put.
throw in dryer with clothes.
make sure to leave room in the can for the brass and media to shift freely.
 
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