Tumbler

bogie

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I have been reloading for a short time and so far seem to be doing ok but I just picked up a tumbler and ran a load of 223 thru it. I used a mix of cob and walnut media suggested by the store owner who also reloads. After 4 hours tumbling the brass is nice and clean but I noticed that about 10% of the cases still have a black coating on the neck. Is this from overheating? I have not added any abrasive to this yet like Brasso or such as I have read on this site-about 66% walnut and 33% cob. Should I just put them in with the next batch, discard them, or add some abrasive polish to the mix?
 
Get a bottle of NuFinish car polish & add a couple of capfuls to the media.

I also add a capful of mineral spirits to help thin the polish. Let the tumbler run for about 20 minutes to allow the media to mix with the polish, then add your brass.

I also have had good success with adding cut strips of paper towel. This tends to absorb a lot of the dirt from the media.

Hope this helps.
 
Still no response to the black necks so another question that relates. How long does it usually take. Several hours or more or ??? And yes Rod B I have added a few strips and they seem to be sucking up dirt real well. Thanks
 
The NuFinish polish should remove the black on the case necks.

Don't throw them out, put them in the tumbler.

I think the black may be caused by the case mot expanding fully when fired. This would result in some hot gas escaping & blackening the neck. The situation may be more severe if there is some oil or lube left on the case neck.

The time required depends on how dirty the brass was & how clean & shiny you want it. :D
 
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I had a bit of stainless and aluminum cleaner so I put a little in. Not as shiny but clean fer sure. The black is coming off now. Will get some of the polish. Sounds like it would be more appropriate. Thanks much. Just picked up the tumbler yesterday and run 2 loads thru it already. Found a few damaged cases too-little splits in the neck I could not see. 223 seems to be prone to that.
 
Does your polishing compound have a touch of jewellers rouge in it?A very fine abrasive...Rather than haphazardly putting stuff in your compound,have you actually purchased polishing media designed for your use?

I run my tumbler for as long as it takes,and I get bright cases which reveal their cracks etc.I purchase walnut with rouge added,it lasts forever without treatment.

Patience!!
 
Does your polishing compound have a touch of jewellers rouge in it?A very fine abrasive...Rather than haphazardly putting stuff in your compound,have you actually purchased polishing media designed for your use?

I run my tumbler for as long as it takes,and I get bright cases which reveal their cracks etc.I purchase walnut with rouge added,it lasts forever without treatment.

Patience!!

+1. I run mine overnight. The rouge does a great job. AFAIK, using things that have ammonia in them is a no-no for brass casings...
 
Are you sure your not putting the cases in with black necks... normally this is burn on gunpowder that comes from firing not tumbling...
 
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