How often should you change media?

[kent23]

Hello, I have another newbie question

How often should you change the media in your case tumbler? I'm using a Lyman 1200 Pro with the green 'corn' media.

A quick second question....I'm cleaning 9mm and .38 Special, would 2 pounds of media be about right with 250 cases??

Thanks folks!!

 

[hoochie]

the more media the better... I change my "walnut" media out once its starts to take a really long time to clean the brass, and or when it appears really dirty.
I just changed mine out.. and I think I used what I had for over a year with my pistols....

 

[RePete]

I found that when it took over 4 hrs to clean, time to change.

 

[savagefan]

Good answers and a tip I picked up from this site, add a couple of used dryer sheets whn tumbling as it picks up a lot of the black crud and makes the media last longer. Also drop a little Brasso into the cobs when they lose their mojo.

 

[Jamie]

Brasso is a big no no!! it can eat your brass causing a weak spot


Jamie

 

[ckid]

Brasso is a big no no!! it can eat your brass causing a weak spot

I've been using the dryer sheet and Brasso method for years, and I've yet to have a problem. I just make sure I add the Brasso to the tumbler while running (about3-4 tablespoons) and let it run until you can't detect any moistness in the media - about 2 hours, then add casings.

My batch of .38 spl brass has been reloaded at least 40 times.

 

[trda]

This may be a dumb question but I have recently purchased a tumbler and it came with corn media and also ceramic media. What is the benifit of the ceramic media or what is it used for?

 

[bingo1010]

This may be a dumb question but I have recently purchased a tumbler and it came with corn media and also ceramic media. What is the benifit of the ceramic media or what is it used for?

there is no such thing as a dumb question!!!! there are only dumb people. as for the answer to your question....how the hell should i know??

 

[trda]

there is no such thing as a dumb question!!!! there are only dumb people. as for the answer to your question....how the hell should i know??

I take it that you know some of these dumb people.

 

[Jamie]

Brasso is a big no no!! it can eat your brass causing a weak spot

I've been using the dryer sheet and Brasso method for years, and I've yet to have a problem. I just make sure I add the Brasso to the tumbler while running (about3-4 tablespoons) and let it run until you can't detect any moistness in the media - about 2 hours, then add casings.

My batch of .38 spl brass has been reloaded at least 40 times.

well thats good for you,I will keep Brasso out of my tumbler...but the used dryer sheet works good


Jamie

 

[damndirtyape]

I hate the store bought pre-treated media. Sandblasting media is way cheaper, I got 50 pounds of walnut for $15. Throw in a couple capfuls of Nu-Finish and a dryer sheet and it cleans better than any pre-treated stuff I've seen.

Put in enough media that the cases tumble when the machine is on. The faster they tumble, the sooner they'll be clean.

I change the media when it starts getting dark. Compare your used media some unused stuff, you'll figure out what the limit is and not waste time tumbling brass in dirty media. Also check the inside of the bowl, if it has slimy crap on it, it's not going to remove anything from the brass.