For about maybe two years I have been using lizard litter in my tumbler. From the start I really didn't like it so yesterday I threw it all out. There is a lot of dust fine associated with using it and it gets all over the brass and I have to clean it off. I went back to using Lyman products in my tumbler. You guys have any comments?

Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

Yeah, add a few drops of Nufinish to the mix and the dust goes away. But if you're not happy with it, nothing will change your mind. Use whatever you feel works best for you and other opinions don't matter.

Well here are my comments... 1) I tumble outside, so the dust generated by tumbling does not bother me, I also use a few drops of Nufinish and dryer sheets in the media. 2) The dust on the outside of the brass for the most part gets rubbed off by handling it and reloading it. 3) The dust left on the inside of the case doesn't seem to make a difference.

Tried it a couple of years ago and didn't like it. Wasn't getting the brass clean. Went back to regular media.

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MP15/22,22A,6906,659,908

Last year, someone at work was throwing out a large plastic container full of uncooked white rice. I'd heard that rice was a good tumbler media, so I snagged the container to check it out. I was very surprised at what a good job plain, uncooked, white rice does as tumbling media, and of course, being a reloader, I'm always happy when I can pinch a few pennies. I didn't add any type of polish to the rice, but I did add couple of torn, old dryer sheets to help prevent static build up.

Regards,

Dave

Maybe lizard litter from different sources has different qualities, but I use stuff from Petco exclusively and certainly have not found any dust remaining on tumbled brass.

I tumble outdoors too, but that shouldn't have any effect. I also use an RCBS Rotary Case and Media separator, but that shouldn't remove dust clinging to brass.

Maybe there's a humidity difference? Dust being held on by static electricity?

Years ago I purchased a 25# bag of crushed walnut hulls with jeweler rouge.. Did a pretty good job but lots of red dust on the cases and everywhere else.

I now have a 25# bag of lizard litter ( crushed walnut hulls ) from the pet store. I put in 2 or 3 cap fulls of Nu-Finish or Dillon blue brass cleaner. Let it run for a few minutes , then add the brass. Brass nice and clean and No dust..

( edit, forgot to say I used odorless mineral spirits to cut the Nu-finish )

Dunno what's in lizard litter, but the last few years, I've used fine-ground walnut shell and a rotary separator of my own fabrication. I tumble indoors with the lid on, and separate outdoors (just inside the garage if it's raining). No trouble w/dust in the house or on the brass.

Larry

I use the crushed walnut media and a little Nufinish thinned with mineral spirits (odorless) and mix it good in the tumbler before I put the brass in never have a dust problem. I use an old Thumlers Tumbler with rubber lined drum. I have never tried a dryer sheet but don't see the need.

The original Thumlers Tumbler walnut media was red because of the red rouge mixed with the media and the bottle of polish bought extra to retreat with was red and quite frankly red tint was all over the brass and inside the cases and quite a mess to deal with. I got rid of that method years ago.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

Walnut Shell Media (Lizard litter) - 25 lbs for $17 at Harbor Freight with coupon.

Add a capful of NuFinish and a capful of Mineral Spirits. Run without brass for about 30 min to mix. Then add brass and tumble for 1 hour. Longer seems to give no additional benefits for me. No dust, no residue. The NuFinish/Thinner seems to lubricate the cases a bit.

Tumbler and crank separator is a simple Cabela's (Berry's) thing. The pair was something like $65.

I sometimes add 2x2 inch squares of paper towel, sometimes don't.

25 lbs lasts something like eleven lifetimes. I currently tumble 4 times a week. My original fill of media is going on 3 months with no sign of getting old or ineffective.


Sgt Lumpy

I still use corn cob media (pet bedding at Walmart) … also add Nufinish, let it mix up a few minutes before adding shells. Works well. After 2-3 uses of the same media, I pitch it and start fresh. No dust issues.

Didn't even know there was such a thing as Lizard litter. I thought that was a joke when I first read it.

Well, if rice works, that's got to be a cheap solution.

We buy rice in bags at a Chinese supermarket.

15lbs for under 10 bucks.

I think if you cook the rice first it would gum things up, though.

I use the pre treated Lyman Green tumbling media that is made form Corn Cobb. The only thing I add are a few used dryer sheets. Works very well and if bought in the Bulk Box, it is inexpensive.

Hey, if the rice work . . . you should also be able to buy large bags of it at Sam's Club, Gordon's or a restaurant supply - I have no idea of the cost but I know I've seen it in large bags at Sam's.

I don't tumble . . . yet . . . but plan on giving it a try in the near future. I'm just curious . . . what would happen if you mixed up something like "soft scrub" into the media, let it tumble and mix in well, and then add brass and tumble? I'm not talking a lot of it so it would "gum" things up but would that act the same as adding another type of mild abrasive as far as doing a polish job? Or, does it have to be a "dry" abrasive?

Harbor Freight fine walnut media.