What polish or cleaner to use in Frankford Arsenal Quick n'Easy Case Clearing Bowl Vibrator

ranbur

ranbur

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Just got this unit and used the included Frankford Arsenal case cleaner which is citrus based ... not overly impressed, would like to see my cases more brightly polished. The instructions say one can use an ammonia based product for more luster but does not suggest any brand names.

I believe Brasso is ammonia based, is it ok to use in the corn cob media? How much?

Other suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Corn cob is more about cleaning than polishing. Walnut shells from PA or the pet store will polish better as they are smaller. Mineral spirits, nufinish etc all aid the polishing. You don't need much, a splash or a squirt.
 
I tried two stage it with walnut shell first to clean and then with corn cob to polish when I first started reloading many years ago. Then mixed walnut shell and corn cob together trying one stage.
Then finally dropped corn cob all together and for years use only walnut shell media. I add Nufinish only from orange bottle. I use a timer and set it to at least 2 hours with fresh media, adding time when reusing media, reusing 3 to 4 times before replacing.
 
If I want the brightest shine possible I use a very small scoop of jeweller's rouge and a tablespoon of varsol/mineral spirits mixed with fine corn cob in my vibratory tumbler. Brass cases tumbled overnight in this mixture come out so shiny it's hard to distinguish them from nickel cases.
 
ranbur said:
Just got this unit and used the included Frankford Arsenal case cleaner which is citrus based ... not overly impressed, would like to see my cases more brightly polished. The instructions say one can use an ammonia based product for more luster but does not suggest any brand names.

I believe Brasso is ammonia based, is it ok to use in the corn cob media? How much?

Other suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Princess Auto has nutshell media .
Get a group of buddies and bug a sack and share.
Guys have secret recipes and processes or you can buy steel pins , but I have no idea on how to use them in a tumbler.
Rob
 
I used to include a used bounce sheet into mine. I would cut it into strips and throw a few straps into it. I found it helps keep the media clean.
 
If you go with varsol and NuFinish you’ll find there’s literally zero dust from the walnut media, I change my ground walnut once a year when it starts to wear and not be as square/sharp on the edges of the pieces. Or when it visibly looks full of dirt from carbon fouling.
 
ranbur said:
Just got this unit and used the included Frankford Arsenal case cleaner which is citrus based ... not overly impressed, would like to see my cases more brightly polished. The instructions say one can use an ammonia based product for more luster but does not suggest any brand names.

I believe Brasso is ammonia based, is it ok to use in the corn cob media? How much?

Other suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The answer has endless opinions. Nobody is wrong in their choice of additive or vibratory tumbler media. If it works for your method, giver.
My personal method for rifle cases starts with my mix of Lyman "Turbo Charger" reactivator for their media as well as Iosso case polish tumbler media additive and walnut shell bought in bulk from the Amazonian princess Dianna. My process can only be described as complex.
Step 1. Anneal the case with the SPENT PRIMER STILL IN IT.
Step 2. Use vibratory cleaner and media as described on the SPENT PRIMED cases for 4 to 8 hrs. Strain media from cases and lightly clean with compressed air.
Step 3. Place cases into heated sonic citrus bath for 3 thirty minute cycles. Remove. Wash with hot water and place cases on custom brass nail bed trays to drain and dry.
Step 4. De-prime your cases with a dedicated de-prime die/tool, check pocket and deburr flash hole. I DO NOT use pocket uniform tools, ONLY FLASH HOLE tools.
At this point your cases are clean enough to run through your resize process without fouling your dies. I shoulder bump, then trim using a three way trimmer, followed by a neck tension mandrel.
Step 5. Back in the Sonic Hedgehog for a hot bath, Then drain on the brass nail bed till dry.
Step 6. Back in the vibratory tumbler until a nice shine has been achieved, then compressed air cleaned.
Now they are ready for the reload process.
Cheers
Edit.
You can omit the sonic bath but I do recommend a good wash before resizing. I find the citrus/sonic makes them extra shiny but still needs the last tumble to really get bright and not tarnish later in the field.
 
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ted_dent said:
If I want the brightest shine possible I use a very small scoop of jeweller's rouge and a tablespoon of varsol/mineral spirits mixed with fine corn cob in my vibratory tumbler. Brass cases tumbled overnight in this mixture come out so shiny it's hard to distinguish them from nickel cases.
Click to expand...
Where do you find powdered jewellers rouge?
 
sixp5 said:
Where do you find powdered jewellers rouge?
Click to expand...
I bought mine years ago from a U.S. company. Because you use so little a jar lasts a long, long time.

A little expensive but here's a start: ht tps://www.amazon.ca/Polishing-Compound-Powder-Casings-Jewelry/dp/B07DT3DH8J

I'm guessing a hobby store dealing in rocks & minerals would carry it as well.
 
ted_dent said:
I bought mine years ago from a U.S. company. Because you use so little a jar lasts a long, long time.

A little expensive but here's a start: ht tps://www.amazon.ca/Polishing-Compound-Powder-Casings-Jewelry/dp/B07DT3DH8J

I'm guessing a hobby store dealing in rocks & minerals would carry it as well.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I purchased this: https://www.amazon.ca/Red-Iron-Oxide-Natural-Pounds/dp/B008LEB95M in 2023

It does not work well. I thought it was the same thing.

It's not: https://thisvsthat.io/ironii-oxide-vs-ironiii-oxide

Description of powder linked by you.
  • A very fine powder of ferric oxide. Used with Walnut Tumbling Media to polish brass shell cases, coins and jewelry. Inexpensive tumbler polish.

Thanks I will get this on order.
 
Here’s a batch of .308 brass, 4hrs in Princess auto Walnut media with varsol/NuFinish. Not as polished as wet tumbling and SS pins but plenty clean.

There’s enough varsol/NuFinish in the media to do its job, eliminate dust but not over saturate it and turn it into a wet mess.
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ranbur said:
Just got this unit and used the included Frankford Arsenal case cleaner which is citrus based ... not overly impressed, would like to see my cases more brightly polished. The instructions say one can use an ammonia based product for more luster but does not suggest any brand names.

I believe Brasso is ammonia based, is it ok to use in the corn cob media? How much?

Other suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Just curious why do you want it shiny?
 
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