Rotary tumbler vs vibratory
- Thread starter SuperCub
- Start date
I used an RCBS vibratory tumbler for 35 yrs and completely wore out everything but the thick bulletproof Green bowl and lid. It worked but was slow and once I switched to wet I never looked back. I think the vibration of the media would clean better than just rolling in the tub but I’m sure someone on here has tried it and will let you know Cub
If you're considering a rotary tumbler why stick with dry media? The pins are a one time investment and they really work. It's a real step up in many ways such as having flash hole ans the inside of cases that are actually clean, and keeping the dirt in solution as opposed to spreading dust everywhere.
I switched to wet rotary with pins fairly recently and do like it better than dry.
I also bought the brass dryer and am liking it.
Not sure it saves me time as I decap the brass before cleaning but overall the brass is cleaner.
I am trying different cleaning solutions now as they can be pricey. Liquid laundry detergent seems to be doing well so will probably stick with it. I think it's a good investment. Cheers
I also bought the brass dryer and am liking it.
Not sure it saves me time as I decap the brass before cleaning but overall the brass is cleaner.
I am trying different cleaning solutions now as they can be pricey. Liquid laundry detergent seems to be doing well so will probably stick with it. I think it's a good investment. Cheers
I decap brass wet tumble with dawn and I pinch of lemishine, I use stainless pins and dry on a towel , if in a rush onto a cookie sheet pre heat oven to lowest setting tun off and let it cool a bit and throw in brass for a bit. Some people use old food dehydrator to dry brass.
I use both. Wet rotary tumbler with SS pins after decapping for a good, deep clean (which also cleans the primer pockets and inside necks a bit) and then vibratory/dry media after sizing and trimming to get rid of the lube and bring the shine back to the brass (I've also tried sonic cleaning at this stage - it works fine but I don't have the patience to dry out the brass in the dehydrator afterwards). Also, Forster sent around a note a month or two ago suggesting that cleaning the brass with dry media before seating seemed to have favorable effects on bullet seating/release - whether you believe them or not, it probably can't hurt!
you should try a wet rotary, You will find tht it will invigate youI have used a vibrating tumbler and dry media for over 45 years and it's still going strong no need to change now as I'm in the twilight years of my reloading I think it will do me.
I only have a wet tumbler and it works great for volume and gets brass really clean.
One issue I have found is that it can peen the case mouths, this is most noticeable on brass for my precision bolt guns with tight chambers (specifically the neck / mouth area). For this kind of application I would imagine dry media would be better, for everything else (bulk 223 / 9mm etc) wet tumbling is superior.
I have tried with steel pins and without steel pins and experienced it both times. Note it was WAY less with pins (supposedly the pins give a cushioning effect to stop the cases bashing onto each other). For best results I run it for the least time required and as mentioned with pins but even with that I still get a little peening.
I bought a vevor jewelry tumbler and use a water/vinegar/dishwashing pod solution. it gets my brass to about 90% of what pins and a solution will do. checking flash holes and inside of cases for stuck pins got old really quick for me. if anyone decides to get one of those vevor tumblers, be very cautious with the latching system on the lid, too much closing pressure will crack the housing.
a really inexpensive alternative is to google "NRA brass cleaning solution". anyone can do this with a plastic bowl and it works quite well if the process is carefully applied. use scrap brass for a trial run before you toss in the 577 nitro cases. make sure to give the brass several fairly warm rinses to get rid of the cleaning solution before air drying your brass. the finished product isn't perfect but it is decent.
a really inexpensive alternative is to google "NRA brass cleaning solution". anyone can do this with a plastic bowl and it works quite well if the process is carefully applied. use scrap brass for a trial run before you toss in the 577 nitro cases. make sure to give the brass several fairly warm rinses to get rid of the cleaning solution before air drying your brass. the finished product isn't perfect but it is decent.
