Different Length Stainless Tumbling Media?

[Beezer]

Has anyone been able to find the stainless pins for wet tumbling, in different lengths or tried different shaped media?

I have been using the common length stainless pins for years, but since I recently switched to 6.5 Creedmoor, I have been having issues with the pins getting stuck lengthwise in the case mouth.
I am even having up to 3 pins being stuck in the same case. If it was happening once in awhile I would be fine with it, but it is happening regularly and often half the cases I have in the tumbler have a stuck pin.

The standard pin length is suppose to be .255" which is shorter then 6.5mm (.264"), but I know these pins are just sheared off, so there is no guarantee that the length are consistent.

I am seen different shapes of stainless media available on Amazon and before I waste money any order some, just hoping to hear from anyone that has tried them?

 

[road.ripper]

I am having the same issue with the ss pins.
I tried looking for other sources in other hobbies like rock tumbling, jewelry making ,industrial polishing etc.. but found either they dont ship to Canada , or were way too expensive.
Southernshine media in the USA https://www.facebook.com/southernshinemedia/ has a random shape media not pins but during covid would not ship to me and eventually stopped replying to me. lol .
There are other sources out there we just have to find them . here are a few others
https://stainlesstumblingmedia.com/?SID=2cebe0fb02ded408a8f1cd3662d9f0f1 sells pins

https://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/product/stainless-steel-tumbling-media/ sells other shapes but very pricey !

if you find a source pls post it

 

[6MT]

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[Beezer]

I am having the same issue with the ss pins.
I tried looking for other sources in other hobbies like rock tumbling, jewelry making ,industrial polishing etc.. but found either they dont ship to Canada , or were way too expensive.
Southernshine media in the USA https://www.facebook.com/southernshinemedia/ has a random shape media not pins but during covid would not ship to me and eventually stopped replying to me. lol .
There are other sources out there we just have to find them . here are a few others
https://stainlesstumblingmedia.com/?SID=2cebe0fb02ded408a8f1cd3662d9f0f1 sells pins

https://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/product/stainless-steel-tumbling-media/ sells other shapes but very pricey !

if you find a source pls post it

If I find a source for shorter pins, I will post it here.

 

[Beezer]

I get a few pins in flash holes. The percentage is very low (I estimate it's less then 3%). It doesn't really bother me though.

A paper clip is your friend.

Not having issues with the pins getting stuck in the flash hole. It is the case neck of the 6.5 Creedmoor and it happens about 40% of the time.

 

[6MT]

…….

 

[BigRobb]

Made my own. I have 3 sets now for different calibers. I used 1/16” stainless tig rods (welding rods) and cut to desired length. It’s a bit of messing around, but is nice now.
I just put a short length of tube in a vice and stuffed as many as I could in it. Hose clamp the other end. Then I just would index the rods to the desired length sticking past the section of tube and zip cut off. The rods are 36” long when new, so it takes quite a few cuts. The little bits of flashing on the ends after cutting wear off after the first few tumbles.
Probably a better way to do it, but it was easy to keep consistent this way.

 

[Beezer]

Wow. What size pins are you using? I use .255" length x .047" dia. pins. Never had issues with them getting stuck in case necks. From .223 right up to .50BMG and everything in between. Including 6.5CM and 6.5x47L.

I guess I should qualify this a bit. You do need to shake the pins out of the smaller diameter bottle necked cases. I do this by hand, one at a time. They've always fallen out...with the shaking "help". Some people don't like to do each case like I do.

I have never had an issue before, till I started doing 6.5 CM. I may have to buy a batch of the .255" x .047" from a different supplier and see if there is a difference.