Super Cheap Tumbling Media

AJCrowley

AJCrowley

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
I just set up my tumbler for the first time, and am running a load of shells through it right now.

I couldn't help but notice that the tumbling media looks exactly like the kitty litter that my lady buys for her cat, also made of corn cobs.

I'm pretty sure the kitty litter costs a lot less, so next time I need media, I think I'll give that a go.

Just thought I'd share the tip.

Cheers.
 
While doing some online reading about suitable tumbling media, I think someone said they used they clay-based cat litter (mostly composed of Bentonite, also used industrially) I've not used it but I'd perhaps be a bit concerned about any grit being left behind. I tried corncob (from a pet store), often recommended as an alternative to walnut and it does a good job but I found that some of the chunks were quite big and it tended to stick in the necks of bottleneck cases, although it was fine on pistol brass. Screening out the bigger chunks through 1/8" wire mesh helped but it took time and I wasted a lot of cob.

If you have a supplier of abrasive blast media near you, you may be able to get a bag of medium-grit walnut shells (or corncob) for a reasonable price, ie not what the pet stores and some gun shops charge (as they just repackage it.) I got a 50 lb. bag of 12/20 grit walnut from Manus Abrasives out here for $21.00. That's going to clean a lot of brass.

:) Stuart
 
broncoo said:
or if you live around oil/gas operations find a rig and get a 50lb bag of crushed walnut for a six pack...
Click to expand...

And if not you can get it at any place that sells abrasives or sand blasting supplys for about $25/50lb
 
josquin said:
While doing some online reading about suitable tumbling media, I think someone said they used they clay-based cat litter (mostly composed of Bentonite, also used industrially) I've not used it but I'd perhaps be a bit concerned about any grit being left behind. I tried corncob (from a pet store), often recommended as an alternative to walnut and it does a good job but I found that some of the chunks were quite big and it tended to stick in the necks of bottleneck cases, although it was fine on pistol brass. Screening out the bigger chunks through 1/8" wire mesh helped but it took time and I wasted a lot of cob.

If you have a supplier of abrasive blast media near you, you may be able to get a bag of medium-grit walnut shells (or corncob) for a reasonable price, ie not what the pet stores and some gun shops charge (as they just repackage it.) I got a 50 lb. bag of 12/20 grit walnut from Manus Abrasives out here for $21.00. That's going to clean a lot of brass.

:) Stuart
Click to expand...
Josquin: Where is Manus?
 
You might find with kitty litter that their quality control in not great and there is silt/sand in it. Silt/sand particles will scratch the hell out of your brass.

As above, try an abrasives/sandblasting supply, and I think Princess Auto also carries walnut in 50lb bags.
 
Kitty litter is too hard. So is any abrasive used for sand blasting. A great big bag of small animal bedding(corn cobs usually) runs less than $20 in a pet supply shop.
 
Presidents Choice clumping organic cat litter with the green bag and the cat face also in green is course ground corn cob and works great. $8 for seven pounds, not bad and almost every store has it. Works great.
 
I just got a 50lb. bag for $10.Buddy had about 20 bags of it for sand blasting.I will never use that much in the rest of my life time.DAN>>>
1 bag filled 2 five gallon pails.:p:D DAN>>>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom