polishing brass

[Spartanden]

My American Legion Post is building a new patio at our Post. I had the idea of taking some brass from our Honor Guard rifles, polish these, then place into the cement and form the number 238 for our Post. Well I was about a week too late. Concrete poured and I've been trying to polish the brass.
My question is this: Do you reloaders polish your brass? I have thought about buying a polishing machine, but I can't quite justify the purchase price for this single use. Can I polish the brass in one of these machines? What media should be used? Is there a coating or finish to apply to prevent or reduce corrosion?
I may be too late for the patio, but I think I want to make some sort of sign or block with our Post numbers and place in the Post. What are your recommendations?
Thank you!!
Denny

 

[HKSmith]

You certainly can polish the brass in an ordinary tumbler. These are available from all of the big online reloading suppliers such as Midway and Grafs. I use corn cob media and Flitz polish and I have had excellent results for many years. If you tumble for about four hours you should end up with very shiny cases.

 

[ChillyDog]

Agreed any tumbler or even if you could find a rock tumbler and use walnut shell or corn cob media. With some polish, I use Nufinish car polish with my media and it works great... Good luck.

 

[Truckman]

Everyone has given good advice...I liked ground walnut shells to clean brass in a tumbler, and ground corncob to polish...The others have given good additives to your media, although I just used Brasso...If you don't have access to a tumbler or a vibrating pan, a small cement mixer, if clean will also work......Ben

 

[SMSgt]

Brass will tarnish no matter how it's polished. About the only alternative is to encase it in some sort of poly plastic.

 

[Model52guy]

Harbor freight sells a small and large vibratory tumbler. I have the 18 lb cleaner and on my third tub and second base over the years. The 5 lb one is $65 and works well. They also sell walnut media Ive used.

 

[glenwolde]

Harbor Freight also has a small wet tumbler that's $53 plus they always have a 20% off coupon somewhere.

I used to use a vibratory tumbler but the wet method with steel pins has been faster and done a better job in my experience.

You'll have to spray them with some kind of lacquer or polyurethane to keep them from tarnishing.

I'll volunteer to polish them for you by mail....anybody else? How many we talking about here?

 

[DWalt]

I'd think few reloaders spend a lot of time tumbling their brass. At one time I did tumble my dirty brass, but I decided that it wasn't worth the hassle just to get shiny bright cartridges. I occasionally clean tarnished brass in a solution of Citric acid. That's about as much effort as I am willing to expend just to clean brass.

 

[series guy]

I enjoy loading clean shiny brass. It makes me happy. I wet tumble with stainless pins. Yes it was a bit of an investment but hobbys are supposed to make us happy.

 

[stansdds]

See post #5 above! Brass will tarnish if exposed to moisture, no matter how well it is polished.

 

[jake1945]

Maybe a good idea for 30-06 brass is coat hangers? You wouldn't need hundreds of brass casings and could polish them by hand using good 'ol Brasso. A neat effect would have someone insert 30 caliber bullets in the case's mouths?

 

[Spartanden]

Thanks for all the input. I am a bit hesitant to purchase a tumbler just to clean and polish about 50 cases. But it is beginning to look like that may be my best alternative. So if I get the Harbor Freight unit, walnut or corncob media, pour some polish (nufinish or brasso??) into the mix this should give us shiny brass?
Now another "stupid" question. Like said, not wanting to spend bunch of money on a "one time" use tool. What else could this machine do for me? Other projects? I am an ex-mechanic and ride Harleys. I can't think right off hand of other things to do with this. More suggestions please!!!

 

[gwpercle]

I wouldn't do the embedding into a concrete floor .
First is moisture , concrete passes it and concrete is slightly acidic .
I think you will forever have a corrosion problem with the brass turning green and nasty looking . Brass and outside don't play well to gether and no sealer I know of will prevent it long term .

What about embed the case heads on/in a wooden plaque , cover with that liquid plastic / epoxy coating (bar top coating?) to seal it then hang on wall .
Completely sealed it would probably hold up on the patio , porch or inside . Get creative ... but keeping them out of the concrete is a good idea ... I just see problems with that .
Polishing 50 cases , 0000 steel wool and a large drill , spin cases in drill and use steel wool ... want shine ...brass polish and follow directins . Cheaper than brass polisher and you can always use the drill for ...drilling holes in things .
Gary

 

[H Richard]

For 50 cases just do as said above. Steel woo, or bronze wool and a little brasso or flitz. I also recommend embedding inside a clear plastic. This is sold as hobby kits. Then set into the concrete in a location that won't be stepped on.

 

[johnnydogs]

Maybe you should consider purchasing brand new brass for your project.

 

[mikld]

Before I got a tumbler I'd occasionally want some "BBQ" ammo. I would find a dowel of caliber diameter and taper one end. Stick the other end in a hand drill, push the case onto the dowel (mandrel) and polish the case with some 0000 steel wool and Pledge. Was OK for a small number of cases and worked...

 

[AJ]

No one at your Post reloads?

 

[cracker57]

soak your brass in vinegar and water, it comes out shiny. Vinegar is a mild acid, so neutralize with baking soda.

 

[Greyman50]

Always vibratory polish my brass as it is much easier to inspect.

 

[Spartanden]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I am 89% sure I will buy a polisher. I could do more brass polishing to give to families at memorial services. I have been thinking of other ideas for the Post and have been thinking of making a wood plaque with HONOR on the top, 238 in the middle and GUARD on the bottom. Maybe put our Post name on as well. I work part time at local community college and will be checking to see if they could computer program this and either laser cut or machine onto a nice chunk of wood. And see if they could program and drill holes I can place the brass in. So I'm not quite off this yet!!
Again, thank you all for your suggestions and comments. (I think I'll try the vinegar and water on a couple of shells this weekend and see how that works. )
Thanks Again
Denny