I have been experimenting with stainless pins in my Thumble's. I have two, one about ten years old and one near 40 (bought both new, so I have been doing this for a while). I have used corn cobb and walnut with good results and thought I would try the pins. I have used the wet method(less pins) for years to clean my pistol brass(does a good job of removing the smoke and range crud from the cases)
I have made several attempts to use the pins. I read a little on some of the reloading boards. followed what seemed to be fairly straightup instruction and am getting dismal results. The pins seem to be chewing up the inside of the rubber drum, the cases come out gray and sort of sticky, the water/soap solution is black and nasty. Cases require several repeat rinses and other than clean primer pockets are not what I was hoping for. at all. This process seems to be very labor intensive with little return other than the extra exercise in cleaning up the pins which escape and show up days latter.

Where am I going wrong? Or am I just discovering that sometimes the newest, greatest thing really doesn't work any better than or as well as the tried and true. Open to thoughts and possible solutions here, or should I box up this stuff(the pins and the honkin' magnet) and move it on the next unsuspecting noob at the next gunshow or swapmeet? Thanks, GB

I thought about the harsher media but worried the plastic bowl would get chewed up. Not for brass but for small parts and tools. Sounds like it does.

I thought about looking for a metal replacement bowl but in all my cob stuff does the trick on all but serious rust.

What were you hoping for using the metal?

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>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

This is about cleaning and polishing brass cases for reloading. The Thumbler's Tumbler was developed for and still widely used in the stone polishing/jewelry industry and hobby craft. I would think that it should handle this media without issue. Apparently this may not be the case. They don't recommend using the stainless pins in vibratory case cleaners as it requires a watertite system. I too have had success with corn cob and Walnut media(I have a lifetime supply of Walnut as it is/was widely used in the petrochemical drilling process). Thanks for the fast reply and questions, which gave me the chance to clarify some of the info. HTHs GB

I also have a Thumbler's Tumbler that I bought in the late 70's. Its an AR-6 and has the 9 lb. capacity. I have been using the stainless pins for about two years and have no problem at all. The brass comes out clean and shiney. I love how clean the inside and primer pocket is. I do however, still use walnut with a little jewelers rouge after Polishing with stainless pins and shooting. Just keeps the brass looking good and shiney making it easier to find in grass or weeds.

It sounds like the rubber has begun to dry rot.

Exactly what fairly straight up instructions are you following? Use 5 lb pins, cover with water, add a good squirt of dawn, and a teaspoon of citric acid. Tumble for 2 hours. Is this what you are doing?

I think that arjay has your answer, rubber will break down in time. I've been using the Pins in my Thumler's Tumbler since last march and couldn't be more pleased. My recipe is 2 tablespoons of dish washing soap and 1/4 teaspoon of Lemishine. For a deep case like 38 special a 3 hour cycle will leave the cases looking nearly new inside and out with just a hint of tarnishing in the inside. As for the rubber in the drum, it looks slightly sandblasted but I haven't seen any indication of it being damaged or breaking down.

I would suggest that you contact Thumlers, they may be able to provide a new drum at cost or perhaps re-line your old drums. Their web site states the drums are warranteed but not for how long so it may be that you'll have to pay a bit to replace your 40 year old drum.

X Ring and others, I have been using just about exactly what you listed. Been using the newer of the two tumblers. Maybe I will give the other one a try and see if it works any better. Thanks for the replies. GB

The soap acts as a lubricant as well as a detergent. I wonder if you are using enough soap. There should be suds standing on the water when you open it up after a tumbling session.

I use 3 tablespoons of non-concentrated Dawn and 1/4 teaspoon of Lemi-Shine. I fill the drum with water up to about 1.25 inches from the top. The rubber in my drum does not seem to have worn at all. It still looks new. I do get some "black" in the water, but I assume that is dirt and powder residue.

I run mine for 2.5 to 3 hours. How long are you running yours?

Mike

Did you clean the pins?
Try just running the pins with soap, water, and lemi shine then rinse.
This was recomended when I got mine.
Some of the machining oil was left on the pins and must be cleaned off.
Mine works fine.
Madd Matt

Are they nickel plated cases? You mention them being grey. If so, try it without the citric acid. But I've noticed sometimes nickel plated comes out greyish when using stainless wet tumbling. I don't know why.

I use the Thumbler's, lemon detergent, lema-shine, HOT water, and 2 to 3 hours. I had some 30-06 brass that was uncovered in the barn for several years. Some sort of wasp laid eggs in several, when these were tumbled the results were as you described. I rinsed with water 2 or 3 times did the whole routine 3 or 4 times before the pins were like new again. I would think twice before using the older liner! When everything is fine the water will still be black and the pins need rinsed off. I had some 45-70 cases that were stained from Black Powder over 20 years, It took about 5 hours to make them look like new (inside too). I use a water based lube and size and deprime before cleaning, so the primer pockets get clean also. Hope this helped. Ivan

I would think that Stainless Steel Pins WOULD eat up soft brass cartridges in short order because Stainless is so much harder than Brass.

I have been using the Lyman Green Treated Corn Cobb Media with excellent results. It's easy, cheap and does a wonderful cleaning job with no need for additional cleaners or waxes.

Chief38, they don't eat up the brass. But I have seen it thin and even remove some nickel plating off some very well used 357 Mag brass. I generally don't run my nickel plated brass in there since I noticed this.

GB, I am using the Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler instead of a Thumlers and I am having no problems at all. I bought this earlier this year after visiting my younger brother who had inherited my Dad's mid-60's vintage Thumlers and who had switched over to wet cleaning with the SS pins and was mightily impressed with how well it cleaned his cases. My FA tumbler uses a rubber lined PVC tumbler instead of a rubber lined metal tumbler and so far I have seen no degradation of the rubber liner inside the tumbler. I use a squirt of Dawn and about a teaspoon of Lemishine in hot water and tumble for 90 minutes to 2 hours and everything comes out looking good. This FA tumbler spins much faster than a Thumlers.

One thing I am wondering is the water quality where you live. Maybe they are adding a chemical to your water that is having some kind of reaction. Maybe next time you tumble some cases, buy a gallon or 2 of bottled water to use instead of tap water and see what happens.

BTW, the rubber liner is removable in the metal drum version of the Thumlers. If your rubber liner is deteriorating, I would get in touch with them and see about getting a replacement liner. You can contact them right here and see what they say.