I'm about to start reloading and need tips on cleaning the brass....some is my own, some is picked up from the range. I'm starting with 9mm, 38spl/357mag. I think I will clean the brass prior to depriming (using a Dillon press)....any help would be welcomed....even if you have an old vibratory/ultrasonic cleaner you wanna sell, I'd be interested.
Cleaning the brass
- Thread starter scottshotz
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I suggest you post an add in the EE.
That's what it's for.
I made my own when I started out. I used a plastic detergent bucket with a yogurt container glued down in the middle for an agitator. Then I bolted the whole thing down to an old fan, and cut a chunk out of one blade for vibration.
It worked surprisingly well, but you couldn't leave it for more than a half hour as the motor was not designed for vibration and it would get hot.
Eventually, I just went out and bought a big Lyman Turbo Tumbler. It rocks, you can forget it's running all day, and it just makes things brighter.
That's what it's for.
I made my own when I started out. I used a plastic detergent bucket with a yogurt container glued down in the middle for an agitator. Then I bolted the whole thing down to an old fan, and cut a chunk out of one blade for vibration.
It worked surprisingly well, but you couldn't leave it for more than a half hour as the motor was not designed for vibration and it would get hot.
Eventually, I just went out and bought a big Lyman Turbo Tumbler. It rocks, you can forget it's running all day, and it just makes things brighter.
Until I get a vibratory case cleaner, I'm using the Soap & Boiling Water method. My cases won't be shiny but they'll be clean. Using this method, I'll be de-priming my cases prior to cleaning.
Just used up my two days off, depriming 5000 cases.
Just used up my two days off, depriming 5000 cases.
redbirddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Maple Syrup land Ontario
do you want the best trick ever.
Take a pail, fill the brass up 2-3" deep.
add hot water till the brass is covered.
add 2 cap fulls of CLR ( home hardware, can tire )
mix brass occasionally with hand or rubber gloves ( max 5 min in solution )
The CLR will eliminate the corosion on the brass letting the brass shine back! If your cases are still dirty - toss them as the may have deeper corosion in the brass and thats a sign they may be past due. ( personal view only!)
drain off and rinse with warm water, repeat. Drain and let air dry on a towel.
all the brass in clean, nice.
1 jug of CLR can do over 30K of brass.
I personally wait till they are dry and then polish in a tumbler for 2-4 hours.
also
The lyman tubbler is cheap and for under $100 you can get years of tumbling out of the start up kit. Lebarons have great prices on them.
Take a pail, fill the brass up 2-3" deep.
add hot water till the brass is covered.
add 2 cap fulls of CLR ( home hardware, can tire )
mix brass occasionally with hand or rubber gloves ( max 5 min in solution )
The CLR will eliminate the corosion on the brass letting the brass shine back! If your cases are still dirty - toss them as the may have deeper corosion in the brass and thats a sign they may be past due. ( personal view only!)
drain off and rinse with warm water, repeat. Drain and let air dry on a towel.
all the brass in clean, nice.
1 jug of CLR can do over 30K of brass.
I personally wait till they are dry and then polish in a tumbler for 2-4 hours.
also
The lyman tubbler is cheap and for under $100 you can get years of tumbling out of the start up kit. Lebarons have great prices on them.
I used Nu Finish car wax(Can. Tire) for the first time last night. Threw a cap in with my brass, started the Lyman 1200 twin tumbler, and this morning, voila! I am really pleased, even cleaned up the dirty necks. It's a winner for me.
Try This
I run my deprimed bras in an ultrasonic cleaner with hot water and a little laundry detergent. After about 12 minutes, the brass is sparkling like a diamond. You would not believe the gunk left behind at the borrom the the tank.
My only problem is that after the brass is completely dry, after a preliminary towel try, the brass dulls a little bit. Probably the minerals left behind after full evaporation, like the water spots you see on your car if you don't chamois.
Anyway, if I'm feeling particularly fussy, I will run each cartridge on a LEE Zip Trim ( you can view this in their catalog ) squeezing the spinnng cartridge firmly with some steel wool. This lightens the color of the brass and brings it to a high gloss. Bet you they even feed better in an IPSC competition.
As to marking my babied brass for IPSC competitions, I use a broad tipped Sharpie pen to draw a fat band on the cartridge when the brass is spinning. If you want a real permanent job, bake the brass at 350 deg. for about 10 minutes. This seems cure the ink real nice, but darkens the brass somewhat.
My two cents
Gene
I run my deprimed bras in an ultrasonic cleaner with hot water and a little laundry detergent. After about 12 minutes, the brass is sparkling like a diamond. You would not believe the gunk left behind at the borrom the the tank.
My only problem is that after the brass is completely dry, after a preliminary towel try, the brass dulls a little bit. Probably the minerals left behind after full evaporation, like the water spots you see on your car if you don't chamois.
Anyway, if I'm feeling particularly fussy, I will run each cartridge on a LEE Zip Trim ( you can view this in their catalog ) squeezing the spinnng cartridge firmly with some steel wool. This lightens the color of the brass and brings it to a high gloss. Bet you they even feed better in an IPSC competition.
As to marking my babied brass for IPSC competitions, I use a broad tipped Sharpie pen to draw a fat band on the cartridge when the brass is spinning. If you want a real permanent job, bake the brass at 350 deg. for about 10 minutes. This seems cure the ink real nice, but darkens the brass somewhat.
My two cents
Gene
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
CLR contains acid. HCL if I remember right. It weakens brass.
Awesome posts...thanks....I tried a pail with a couple tablespoons of dishwasher detergent and boiling water (high temperature activates the detergent apparently), soaked and stirred brass for 15 minutes....it came out pretty clean I think. I want to pick up a tumbler as well and try the corn kernel kitty litter I saw at a local pet supply store (pets unlimited). I'm hoping that will work as well, may even do the whole process in one step in the tumbler!
Tumbler is the way to go. Playing with hot water, soap, cleaners, steel wool, etc works but it is time consuming compared to just tossing it in the tumbler and walking away. IMHO
CLR, brasso etc unless left on the brass for extended periods of time will only affect the surface and will not weaken the brass appreciably.
CLR, brasso etc unless left on the brass for extended periods of time will only affect the surface and will not weaken the brass appreciably.
This is what works well for me. Tumbler + crushed walnut media + (every 3rd load) tea spoon of Brasso.
This has worked for thousands of cases with no problems and very shiny clean cases. I have never had a problem with Brasso, nor has anyone that I have known.
A tumbler is a must just for time savings alone.
This has worked for thousands of cases with no problems and very shiny clean cases. I have never had a problem with Brasso, nor has anyone that I have known.
A tumbler is a must just for time savings alone.
When you do start using a vibrating case cleaner, watch how you mix the brass. When you put different calibres into the same batch they can get inside each other and get stuck. 9mm seems to be particularly bad for this. It works its way into .40, .45, .44 brass and gets impacted in there pretty good. The best case is you pull them apart and then have to do them again(no cleaning action). The worst is you destroy one or both pieces trying to get them apart.
Brasso weakens brass so you might want to reconsider using it in your tumbler. Nu-Finish care wax is a great additive to use in a tumbler. Once it dries in your media it will polish your brass cases up quite nice. One tip I got from a shooter in the US is to leave your top off your tumbler when you use it. By doing so you increase the vibrating effect of the tumbler.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
Until you get your tumbler try soaking them in hot water and KOOL-AID ( THE CITRIC ACID is the active ingrediant) . Wash first in soap and water to get rid of carbon and dirt, rinse, put in KOOL-AID let sit hour or so ,rinse and dry . You can dry by putting them in a nylon stocking , tying a big knot in the nylon and hanging it in the clothes dryer, the knot outside the top of the door , the bag of cases hanging inside the door but not revolving , run the dryer on hot with nothing in it.
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
- Any advantages of a tumbler versus one that vibrates the brass/media?
- How do you keep the process dust-free (or as close to it as it gets)?
- How long does media last, and what is it's replacement cost?
I'm trying to decide between a tumbler and ultrasonic. Obviously the tumbler is much cheaper to get into, but I'm a bit concerned about the dust factor.
- How do you keep the process dust-free (or as close to it as it gets)?
- How long does media last, and what is it's replacement cost?
I'm trying to decide between a tumbler and ultrasonic. Obviously the tumbler is much cheaper to get into, but I'm a bit concerned about the dust factor.
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
piccolig said:
Perhaps it's the laundry soap, it's really bad for leaving buildup or a film of residue on everything it touches. Maybe rinse it off before drying or run it under the tap then back in the cleaner with only water the second time?
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
When I hear "tumbler" it suits the cement mixer and quite a number of the homemade units, where as the vibrating units function differently.
Anyway, talk me out of the ultrasonic units to save me some cash. I certainly like the idea of no dust, all the debris going down the drain, no plugged flash holes etc...
Anyway, talk me out of the ultrasonic units to save me some cash. I certainly like the idea of no dust, all the debris going down the drain, no plugged flash holes etc...
bushwacker
Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg,Manitoba
I have a question for you guys.How do you get the dust out of the shells after you tumble them?
never again...
