cleaning media

[BBBB1]

How often should you change media.I read about drier sheets to clean it.
It seem to take a long time to clean my brass.I have been cleaning for
about four hours.
I have clean about 10000 pieces.
Thank You for the help.

 

[Mushki]

Once it starts to take over two hours to clean the brass I change out the media. I have always used walnut shells so if you use something else I would follow the rule I was taught, change it out once it take twice as long as it did when the media was new to clean the brass to an acceptable level.

 

[BBBB1]

Thank You.
I have been using walnut.i will replace.

 

[fredj338]

Yeah, longer than 4hrs, time for new media. It's not just about the media being dirty, but the sharp edges of new media get buffed off over time, the media becomes less effective.

 

[Goblin]

By the way, are you using a polish, like Flitz? If so, and adding a tablespoon doesn't recharge it like it should, media probably needs replaced. If you aren't using a polish you should try it. I like the Flitz tumbling polish.

 

[fredj338]

Fitz is good, so is nu-finish polish, just a 1/2tsp every load.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have clean about 10000 pieces.


of what? pistol, rifle cases ?

Depends on the size and amount of cases in my case..........
( pun )

Some cases are cleaner than others after shooting, I can stretch
a batch of media a few more "Major cleanings" with a full hopper, just by how dirty the cases get and how long I run the unit.

I usually don't need "GI inspection" clean cases for 95% of my reloading..... which allows my media to last longer.
I don't worry about the cost of media and just buy it..........
since it beats cleaning the cases by hand, BIG TIME.
I did the by hand thing years ago but don't big deal my loads now that I am a senior citizen.

 

[jepp2]

Depends on the size and amount of cases in my case

Personally I find how clean or dirty the cases are is a bigger factor than size or amount.

My experience with walnut is that the dirtier it is, the better it cleans. While the sharp edges may dull, the abrasive nature of the "dirt" seem to clean better. But it does get to a point where I decide to change it. And every time I change my media, I swear I am never going to wait as long next time. I use paper towels to absorb the dirt for a while, but finally it just gets too bad.

I use plenty of corn cob but mostly for polishing and it never gets as dirty as the walnut does.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I drop in half a used dryer sheet with every load. It must help keep it clean as the sheet comes out pretty dirty.
I changed my media recently when I noticed the usual 3 hours wasn't enough. I think it had been 2 years since the last change.

 

[johnnyflake]

Like most of you, I've been cleaning brass for many, many years. At least 30 years for me. During that time I have tried a number of different medias and mixtures of same. I have found a mixture that does wonders for cleaning brass. For what it's worth, I have two Vibrators. I fill them each 3/4s of the way with a 50/50 mixture of Corn Cob and Walnut. Then I add 1 teaspoon of polish and one pound of fresh 3/8" x 1/2" Ceramic Rock Tumbling Media to each. The way it's cut it has about 8 straight edges on each piece. You will be amazed at how it will clean your brass with a 2 hour run.

I can clean at least 10,000 pieces before changing to new media, however, along the way, I do add more of the 50/50 Corn Cob and Walnut Media as some just naturally get lost. I also add more polish every couple of loads.

If anyone decides to try my mixture, please let us know what you think of it!

 

[chief38]

I was guilty of keeping a batch of Walnut media in my tumbler for over 12 years but recently switched over to Lyman Green Corn Cobb Media which needs no additional additives and works quite well. Can't really say the Walnut stuff that was 12 years old didn't work well........... I only changed it because friends were raving over the Lyman.

 

[blujax01]

The "Official" answer is available from Lyman's web site (Instructions - FAQs). Lyman Products Your Primary Source for Reloading Equipment
For instance, the Turbo 1200 holds a capacity of ~ 350 .38 special cases and the bowl requires 2 pounds of media. Lyman recommends that the media be changed after 10-15 charges. So, "officially" you should change out your media about once every 5000 cases or so.

I'm a big fan of Lyman Tuf-Nut. It lubes well for me and I do change it out about every 5000 rounds. It does leave a rouge "ring around the collar" but that reminds me that it's getting time to change and is easily scrapped out of the bowl with a plastic scrapper.
Yeah, yeah, lizard litter is cheaper., but Tuff-Nut comes in 12 pound boxes, costs all of $25, and I use about 3 pounds a year...