Vibratory cleaned brass. how clean?

[macadoodle]

I decided to by a vibratory brass cleaner. Tried it out on some 250 rnds of .38 special. I'm using corncob media and some lyman polish. after 2-3 hours I took out the brass and found it had a thin coating of something. I have to wipe every piece brass to get stuff off. After that it's deffinately sparkely, but is this normal? I used 2 lbs of media and 6 cap fulls of polish.

My question is, is this normal? I thought they were supposed to come out all shiney and ready to go.

 

[Bart212]

too much polish. you used enough for about 8 lbs of media. 5lbs of media only takes 2-3.

 

[7mmlefty]

Ive never used any sort of polish in the media.

Its always a question though... how long should they roll around?.
All brass seems to be different, depending on powder used, pressure...so on.. so anywhere from a couple hours or untill they are shiney, or just good enough to get that annoying machine shut off.

 

[.Ben]

i usually tumble reasonable clean brass for about 4 hours, if its real dirty tanished range brass off the ground then sometimes 10-12 hours overnight

 

[snooker]

I'm looking for crushed walnut shells------where do you guys buy them?

 

[ciPeterF]

I'm looking for crushed walnut shells------where do you guys buy them?

Pet store.. WAY cheaper..

 

[outoftowner]

I'm looking for crushed walnut shells------where do you guys buy them?

Peavey mart has 40lb bags of walnut media for cheap (I forget the price though). 40lbs should be a lifetime supply.

 

[mwjones]

I can only find crushed corncob at any pet stores around here, and it's just the right size that it gets stuck crammed full in all my rifle cases.

Plus, the pet store walnut doesn;t have the nifty red ochre dust.

 

[darcy32171]

When I bought my Lyman Turbo Pro 1200, I bought the Lyman "Tufnut" media. I`ve cleaned my brass at least 3 times now. I usually tumble for maybe 1-1.5hours and thats it! It comes out like new and I don`t add any polish.

 

[667]

Pet store.. WAY cheaper..

Princess Auto... WAY... WAY... Cheaper ($29 for 50lbs)

Industrial abrasive supplier... Way... Way... Way...Waaaayyyy cheaper. ($24 for 50lbs)

Or... I'll sell you 30lbs for $10

I'm quiting the walnut game... Drank the wet/stainless steel method kool-aid
No dust and brass is completely cleaned inside and out.

My set up is still a little rough, but it seems to work. Later when time permits I think I might have someone local weld me up a frame, but for now my wooden base seems to suffice. I'll have to tidy up the wiring and add an on/off switch too...

Cuttin' to the chase:
500 fired cases... Not extremly dirty or tarnished, but definately in need of a bath.

Dirty case mouth for the record...

25lbs of pins picked up from Pellets LLC today...
Rather have too much than not enough.

The media

I will initially try 15lbs of media and exactly 500 .223 cases. I esitmate the weight of the brass at just under 7lbs.

Water added...Squirt of Dawn dish soap.. and a little LemiShine

After 15 minutes... Cases already starting to look clean

After 15 minutes... Primer pocket looks pretty good.

Short video of the machine running
[youtube]YmTjfo4H4cA[/youtube]

 

[Toolman]

Princess Auto... WAY... WAY... Cheaper ($29 for 50lbs)

Industrial abrasive supplier... Way... Way... Way...Waaaayyyy cheaper. ($24 for 50lbs)

Or... I'll sell you 30lbs for $10

I'm quiting the walnut game... Drank the wet/stainless steel method kool-aid
No dust and brass is completely cleaned inside and out.

My set up is still a little rough, but it seems to work. Later when time permits I think I might have someone local weld me up a frame, but for now my wooden base seems to suffice. I'll have to tidy up the wiring and add an on/off switch too...

Nice setup, how are you sorting/sifting and drying after cleaning?

 

[bellofello]

Frickin cool man! That's some serious Kool-aid brah.

You should manufacture them and sell as a package w/media

 

[track]

After 29 years of reloading I never used a polish. Lyman corncob and walnut is all I ever used and my brass always comes out better than new. My RCBS Vibratory unit is used for 3 to 4 hours on regular cycles for cleaning my brass. If I want it to look brighter and lighter in colour I leave it in for 10 to 12 hours. I pour half a container of each in the vibratory drum where it cleans and polishes at the same time.

 

[duncansuds]

I work away, so the wife just puts in the brass once a day at 50pcs/load over night until I have no more dirty stuff. using a Lyman twin vibratory they come out very clean! Then I can cut straight to the chase when i get home.

 

[spideysteve]

One of the best threads showing designs of home built wet tumblers ...

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=130815

If you're not registered on the BE forum, you need to be

 

[Unregistered_]

My brass also comes out with a coating of "dirt" but I rub them down in a big old rag. They are soooo shiny afterwards!

 

[tjhaile]

Are you using the treated (green) Lyman corncob media? It will leave a film in my experience. Mix it 50-50 with untreated walnut media (e.g. lizard bedding) and it won't leave a film on your brass.

 

[old enfields]

Peavey mart has 40lb bags of walnut media for cheap (I forget the price though). 40lbs should be a lifetime supply.

Really my 50 pound bag from princess auto lasted just over a year. I am out now so be heading Peavy Mart Tomorrow.