After washing and rinsing, it is best to shake the water out of the brass, especially the BOTTLE NECK type. Place the brass in a plastic colander and cover with a lid. After shaking and rotating a few times, most of the water will be drained. I then grab a few at a time and a simple flick of the wrist will ensure that most of the water is out. This leaves a wet surface inside the brass and should dry overnight. Placing them in a preheated oven will speed up the drying.
how do you dry brass after wet tumbling?
- Thread starter Kryogen
- Start date
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
Hhmm.. I use multiple methods..
The colander first.. Then spread out on a cookie sheet in an oven at 110 deg C for 20 min. The brass has to be dry after that since the brass is above boiling temperature. I think even a 9mm case plumb full of water would dry out in 20 min at 110 deg C.
The colander first.. Then spread out on a cookie sheet in an oven at 110 deg C for 20 min. The brass has to be dry after that since the brass is above boiling temperature. I think even a 9mm case plumb full of water would dry out in 20 min at 110 deg C.
- Location
- Invermere, BC
Anyone try and use a salad spinner?
If the cases weren't all oriented mouth pointed out (which would never happen) it wouldn't work.
So, heat, air, alcohol (or other water displacing chemical) and a towel. Any and all combination of the above have been the drying methods used by humans for years. Looks like it applies to brass too!!
One thing when you are using a wet media and stainless make absolute sure you have ALL the steel pins out of the brass. A leftover pin can be catastrophic. I am sure everyone checks, but there is going to be one or two that get by, and it just isn't good. Just a friendly reminder.
I too pour scalding hot water on the brass when it comes out of the tumbler, then pour the brass into a towel, grab the four corners and shake if for a good while, then pour the brass into a second towel, shake it again, then let dry overnight, I keep moving the brass every time I walk by it. Never had water in one yet.
One thing when you are using a wet media and stainless make absolute sure you have ALL the steel pins out of the brass. A leftover pin can be catastrophic. I am sure everyone checks, but there is going to be one or two that get by, and it just isn't good. Just a friendly reminder.
I too pour scalding hot water on the brass when it comes out of the tumbler, then pour the brass into a towel, grab the four corners and shake if for a good while, then pour the brass into a second towel, shake it again, then let dry overnight, I keep moving the brass every time I walk by it. Never had water in one yet.
I think I've had a pin or two in my pistol reloads. I've had a unexplained flyer and holes in the paper target that look like a SS pin went through on its side. Next shot went right on target. I really don't want to see what a bore scope would show but so far no discernible damage.
First, I swing and jostle them around while they're wrapped up in a big rag. If it's winter, I leave them in a rag overnight on a register. If it's summer, I leave them somewhere they'll get some sun while I'm at work. They'll be bone dry by the time I want to reload them the next evening.
I do the same as above but then I toss them in a tumbler with walnut for 5-10 minuites if I want to reload them the same day
Works for me but I have a 5 gallon bucket full of tumbled brass so I'm never waiting for anything to dry
- Location
- Central AB
I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but a cheap food dehydrator works great.
I bought one at Cdn Tire for $40. I tried the oven method, but my gas oven won't go low enough and the brass comes out annealed. I also don't like drying in the tumbler, because it's difficult (when prepping brass in large volumes) to ensure every piece of tumbling media comes out of the brass.
I bought one at Cdn Tire for $40. I tried the oven method, but my gas oven won't go low enough and the brass comes out annealed. I also don't like drying in the tumbler, because it's difficult (when prepping brass in large volumes) to ensure every piece of tumbling media comes out of the brass.
Lay 'em out on a boot tray or similar and let air dry... Aim a fan at 'em to speed it up a bit.
Have some patience
I've been wet tumbling for a couple of years now... Thousands of rounds and have had ZERO incidents of loading wet cases.
Have some patience
I've been wet tumbling for a couple of years now... Thousands of rounds and have had ZERO incidents of loading wet cases.
Place them on an old cookie sheet and place them in the oven on low for 10 minutes. Won't get them hot enough to affect the brass but will dry them out nicely. I'm sure I don't have to mention that you do this BEFORE you load the cases
Works for me too.
200*f ~20 minutes. Let cool before serving.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I live in a dry climate, most are dry in 30 minutes to an hour when left out.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
You notice that more than the OP may be searching for such a thing? I'm happy to see Surveyor revived the thread with another option.
