Wet tumbling

Well, as I see it, I think I'm going to buy another drum: my sister is contemplating the idea of polishing little pebbles she collects everywhere.
The Frankford Arsenal drum is lined with a synthetic rubber that makes it quite resistant to abrasion.
With some ceramic stones and lapping compound, I guess this would make quite a good polishing setup.
As for my vibratory cleaner, well, I think it's time for retirement...
PP.
 
Last edited:
New addition to my tumbling... Also makes great trail mix lol.

16685753717_b79a95bf8c_z.jpg


16705676000_6237bc4ffb_z.jpg


This is the same model that Competitive Dynamics sells and it turns out it has a timer built in as well.
 
inthehizzy said:
Have tumbled a few thousand pieces of large rifle brass through my Frankford Arsenal Platinum rotary tumbler with lovely results. However, the last few batches of .30-06 have come out only "reasonably clean", some tarnish, and not nearly as 'golden' as my initial batches.

Since I never strain all the SS media out of the drum, merely the water and then fish the brass out by (gloved) hand, I figured the decline must likely be due to a gradual accumulation of fine powder residue, lead dust, oxides, etc. etc. I thought I'd experiment by adding a cup (250ml) of Spray Nine degreaser and and two cups of water with a touch of dish soap. An hour later, I was somewhat surprised when, upon draining, the water was the darkest, sludgiest I'd ever seen. Perhaps some residue over time clings to the inner lining of the rubberised drum? I mean, nothing sticks to the SS pins.

Anyways, my next batch of Barnes tipped .30-30 came out glistening like new again. Anyways, food for thought.
Click to expand...

I think it's a brass/pins/water ratio thing. The last time I cleaned some brass, I ran it for 3 hours and it wasn't as clean as usual. I added another handful of pins and it came out spotless once again.
 
It gets at the calcium content in the water and helps by stopping it from forming deposits on the brass.
If you have hard water, this is good.
For really soft water, you won't need it or only a VERY small amount or else, it will start to make all sorts of rainbow hues on your brass.
PP.
 
PitBull1973 said:
It's like jet dry for your dishwasher
Click to expand...

Lemishine isn't a wetting agent, it is a mild acid that gets rid of the minerals in the water.
But drop of wetting agent in the rinse water is always a good idea as it stops water droplets from clinging to the brass by reducing the surface tension of the water.
Jet dry is very good but don't put in too much of it, only a few drops. Kodak Photoflo is a great one too if you still have some.
PP.
 
PerversPépère said:
Lemishine isn't a wetting agent, it is a mild acid that gets rid of the minerals in the water.
But drop of wetting agent in the rinse water is always a good idea as it stops water droplets from clinging to the brass by reducing the surface tension of the water.
Jet dry is very good but don't put in too much of it, only a few drops. Kodak Photoflo is a great one too if you still have some.
PP.
Click to expand...

I don't think I need any as we have such soft water were I live. I have lots of Photoflo around though. A little of that in distilled water for a final rinse and you get pristine negatives.
 
Hi All,
Just bought a Frankford tumbler (switching to the wet side) and was wondering if you resize your brass first so that the primer pocket gets cleaned in the tumbler or do you wash first then resize and hand clean the primer pocket?

Thanks for your help!
 
the manual suggests You wash (without the pins) first to clean off the brass before sizing/decapping/trimming and then tumble again with the pins to clean out the pockets.
 
Thank You CHAOSnemesis,

My Frankford Tumbler will be delivered Wednesday and I will certainly read the manual.
After 30yrs + of "Dry Media" cleaning this will be a big change for me.
 
First time tumbler, bought the regular Frankford tumbler off amazon with stainless steel pins. Do I just add the dawn and lime shine to the tumbler? It says no liquids...
Thanks for the help
 
no problem! is a fair bit more involved than dry tumbling but holy cow what a difference in shine!!!

@ Vitulla - you fill the container up to the mouth with water. I'm not sure where you read "no liquids". I'm assuming You bought the Frankford platinum edition?!



edit: forgot to mention.... If you haven't already, I would highly recommend buying the magnetic media transfer. those pins are quite small and you ARE going to drop a few. Doesn't have to be fancy. If you want to go the cheap route, all you need is a visit to a surplus electronics store like sayal and get a high powered speaker magnet and a couple dollar store containers.
 
Last edited:
CHAOSnemesis said:
no problem! is a fair bit more involved than dry tumbling but holy cow what a difference in shine!!!

@ Vitulla - you fill the container up to the mouth with water. I'm not sure where you read "no liquids". I'm assuming You bought the Frankford platinum edition?!



edit: forgot to mention.... If you haven't already, I would highly recommend buying the magnetic media transfer. those pins are quite small and you ARE going to drop a few. Doesn't have to be fancy. If you want to go the cheap route, all you need is a visit to a surplus electronics store like sayal and get a high powered speaker magnet and a couple dollar store containers.
Click to expand...

This is the one I purchased

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B001MY...rd+arsenal&dpPl=1&dpID=411LuDHIlfL&ref=plSrch
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom