What is the best media !!
- Thread starter Charles
- Start date
I use 1420 grit untreated corn and the same size untreated walnut. The walnut is used first for 6-12 hours or more if the brass is badly tarnished. Then the media is seperated in my Dillon Seperator, and run for an hour or so in corn cob.
Walnut scours and cleans the case, while the corn grabs most of the dust.
Walnut scours and cleans the case, while the corn grabs most of the dust.
Depends on what you're after. If you want shiny bright cases, likely corn cob, if you just want quick and clean, likely crushed walnut.
If you want to extend the life of either of these media, try putting used bounce sheets (I cut mine into 4 strips) in with the media, it will collect a lot of the grit.
As for things stuck in the primer flash hole .... welcome to the world of re-loading!! lol
I use a dental tool, the scraper that is used for claening your teeth (ask your dental hygenist for used ones next time your in), they seem to work OK for geting the walnut out of the primer flash hole. As you guessed, I use crushed walnut, medium size. Got a 50lb bag at the parts store, they bring it in for sand blasting type applications. Dusty to start with but th ebounce sheets soon get that under control.
If you want to extend the life of either of these media, try putting used bounce sheets (I cut mine into 4 strips) in with the media, it will collect a lot of the grit.
As for things stuck in the primer flash hole .... welcome to the world of re-loading!! lol
I use a dental tool, the scraper that is used for claening your teeth (ask your dental hygenist for used ones next time your in), they seem to work OK for geting the walnut out of the primer flash hole. As you guessed, I use crushed walnut, medium size. Got a 50lb bag at the parts store, they bring it in for sand blasting type applications. Dusty to start with but th ebounce sheets soon get that under control.
I go to the local pet store and buy crushed walnut reptile bedding material they use to line tanks for lizards, snakes, etc... Way more cost effective than buying small bags/boxes of brand name tumbling media. Buy the largets sack they have, usually starting at 20lbs, but I have bought 50lbs sacks.
I was in a pet store today buying crickets and looked at the walnut stuff. Bags from 2 to 20 lbs from $4 to $20, supposed to be dust free.
I am still thinking the SS pins are the way to go.
I am still thinking the SS pins are the way to go.
I gave up on vibrator media a long time ago. I switched to ultrasonic cleaning, but more recently i have switched to stainless steel tumbling.The best system going and makes priomer pockets like new.
http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/
http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/
I have followed exactly the same path.....and couldn't be happier.....
No.....unfortunately its too heavy for a vibe......needs rotary.
Television over Radio 
Seriously though.....
I have used walnut exclusively. Dryer sheets keep the dust down and I can load my brass right out of the tumbler. If you are anything like me and decide to do things on the spur of the moment, wet tumbling may not be the best way to go.
I have many times had to grab cases out of the tumbler to finish loading up rounds, had I been using a wet tumble or ultrasonic, I would not have been able to finish that day.
Just my $0.02
Seriously though.....
I have used walnut exclusively. Dryer sheets keep the dust down and I can load my brass right out of the tumbler. If you are anything like me and decide to do things on the spur of the moment, wet tumbling may not be the best way to go.
I have many times had to grab cases out of the tumbler to finish loading up rounds, had I been using a wet tumble or ultrasonic, I would not have been able to finish that day.
Just my $0.02
This is one concern I have about the SS media. How much of a PITA is drying the brass? No I am not putting it in the oven! I am thinking rack it and put it in front of a heater or out in the sun.
No PITA at all. Throw it in a towel, swirl it around, dump it in a box and let it dry overnight. That's it. Like toweling off your hair after a shower. People saying that its a PITA have never tried it.
The process is marginally more work than what you do with dry media if you're only looking at the tumbling and separation itself. If you look at the bigger picture, and realize that it also cleans your primer pockets and necks, its much less of a PITA than corncob or walnut. Plus, your fingers stay clean, your dies stay clean and you aren't blowing all of the dust that gets trapped inside of the cases down your barrel. That's stuff has to be having an effect on barrel life, especially when it contains that red or green polishing compound. And sorry, but I've tried all of the tricks in the book, including the dryer sheet to eliminate the dust, and you never fully get rid of it as is evident just by looking your fingers after handing the brass.
The process is marginally more work than what you do with dry media if you're only looking at the tumbling and separation itself. If you look at the bigger picture, and realize that it also cleans your primer pockets and necks, its much less of a PITA than corncob or walnut. Plus, your fingers stay clean, your dies stay clean and you aren't blowing all of the dust that gets trapped inside of the cases down your barrel. That's stuff has to be having an effect on barrel life, especially when it contains that red or green polishing compound. And sorry, but I've tried all of the tricks in the book, including the dryer sheet to eliminate the dust, and you never fully get rid of it as is evident just by looking your fingers after handing the brass.
For drying brass, I just dump it on a towel and turn the wifes hair dryer on it for 10 minutes......although theres no harm in just leaving it out to dry overnight, as mentioned.
How does everybody separate their brass and media?......I haven't been using this very long, and I built a container with holes that I roll under water......but wondering about better ideas.......?
How does everybody separate their brass and media?......I haven't been using this very long, and I built a container with holes that I roll under water......but wondering about better ideas.......?
