Tumbler vs Ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning brass cases

[iFlyFloats]

I need advise on cleaning brass, been looking at buying a tumbler for a long time but talking with another gunny he suggested buying an ultrasonic cleaner.

Has anyone used both and if so which works better.

Thanks in advance.

 

[4n2t0]

Not even close, wet tumbling for the win.

 

[OkayShooter]

I did this test before...

Took 5 cases, put 5 in the tumbler and 5 in the ultra sonic. For an hour.

The Ultra sonic came out cleaner, the tumbler shinier.

Tumbler

Ultra Sonic

 

[aglo]

I did this test before...

Took 5 cases, put 5 in the tumbler and 5 in the ultra sonic. For an hour.

The Ultra sonic came out cleaner, the tumbler shinier.

So, maybe the answer is an hour in each?

 

[Magellann]

Most ultra sonic cleaners don't hold a lot of brass, unless you get a larger unit. I prefer wet tumbling, I can do at least a 1000 pieces at a time easily. Tumblers are easy to make for very little cost.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

So, maybe the answer is an hour in each?

No, the answer without a doubt is wet tumbling with stainless pins.

An hour usually does it, if you go two you'll have very clean AND shiny brass.

Best thing is your media doesn't wear out.Buy once.

 

[OkayShooter]

So, maybe the answer is an hour in each?

I wouldn't bother. Hour or so in the Ultra sonic is good enough for me, or couple hours in the tumbler.

 

[ryan]

45 minutes in a wet tumbler is more that enough. Why do they need to be shiny?

 

[silverfoxdj]

Wet tumblers for the win..

 

[bigedp51]

The only problem with wet tumbling with stainless steel media is the peening the case mouths get by hitting each other, the cure for this is to trim and deburr the cases after each wet tumbling.

I have a vibratory tumbler with untreated walnut media, the wet tumbler and a ultrasonic cleaner. And I find I have been using the ultrasonic cleaner the most especially with pistols cases.

 

[JohnnyPython]

Wet tumbling with stainless pins. One to one and a half hours of tumbling.

I decreased my tumbling time and soak overnight. Tumble in the A.M.

 

[4n2t0]

For pistol cases I do 1.5 hrs in the FART with no pins.

 

[trebor2880]

I like dry tumbling, no drying cycle needed.

 

[4n2t0]

I like dry tumbling, no drying cycle needed.

My drying cycle consists of spreading the cases on a towel and allowing the sun to do its thing.

 

[calibrecarstairs]

I never understood the "drying cycle" as far as a requirement for a dehydrator or low temp oven setting.

Who can shoot so much so fast that drying brass overnight is a problem?

 

[trebor2880]

My drying cycle consists of spreading the cases on a towel and allowing the sun to do its thing.

I have no drying cycle what so ever. Avoiding this step saves time and space. And laundry.

 

[Luis1]

I usually throw my cases in the dry tumbler over night and take them out in the morning. Super shiny.

 

[Jon.]

My drying cycle consists of spreading the cases on a towel and allowing the sun to do its thing.

I spread it out on a towel on the floor and leave it for a day or two. Worked well in moisture free Saskatchewan, and works just as well in northern Alberta too.

 

[BigRobb]

Wet tumble.
Couple of days on a towel.
I love working with squeaky clean, shiny brass.

 

[VinnyQC]

Wet tumbling with SS pins.

Don't expect to save any money with an ultrasonic. To get any result with an ultrasonic, you'll need to pay as much as a rotary tumbler. The cheap ones do pretty much nothing, might as well just let the brass soak.