Going the wet tumble route

[tlawler]

I'm getting a good deal on a new Lyman Cyclone wet tumbler. I've been doing vibratory tumbling for the two years since I started reloading, but I like the idea of getting the cases clean inside to facilitate seeing powder drops. I've been reading about the great benefits everyone sees from wet tumbling here on the forum. I'll share my thoughts once I get started with it.

 

[SMSgt]

I haven't found any benefit to sparkling clean brass yet, but if that's what you like, go for it.

 

[jlemay69]

Wet Tumbling

Using SS Media will get the primer pockets clean as well as case insides. I use 5# of SS Media in a Lortone 12# Rotary Tumbler. Use water in tumbler with dish soap as wetting agent.

 

[Rocket3]

Switched a couple years ago. I wish I done it sooner.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Over the last few days I've done 875 223 cases. In my impatience, I exceeded the 2 pound brass limit by about 10 ounces on the last load. Since we were going out I let them run 6 to 7 hours. The powder fouling is removed but the brass is not all that shiny! The water/soap solution was so filthily that it was almost thick as cream!

Something to keep in mind is that the pins get dirty and need cleaned at times by themselves! I was cleaning brass that had been stored in my barn. Mud-daubers had built nests in my 30-06, the larva left everything stained purple for about 7 more cleaning cycles! The pins didn't return to their bright silver color for 7 or 8 more cycles!

Stick to the weight limits and your drive motor and belt will last longer too! This belt lasted almost 8.5 years, the replacement looks like it will die in less than 60 days! Don't buy a spare belt and let it sit for years, as they deteriorate. Just buy a new one and install it in something like 4 to 6 years.

Ivan

 

[oldman10mm]

Been doing the SS wet pin since the beginning of 2015. I also use it for stuff other than brass,aluminum parts,brass/copper parts,and with dry pins I use it to clean/de-rust steel/iron parts. Also worked well on a bunch of used dirty pennies that have accumulated.

 

[oldman10mm]

The only problem, and it's not really a problem as it occurs with conventional dry tumbling too, is mixing different size brass and getting stuck in each other. 380,9,38,357 will get stuck in 10mm,41,44,45. 223 will get stuck in handgun brass.

 

[tlawler]

The only problem, and it's not really a problem as it occurs with conventional dry tumbling too, is mixing different size brass and getting stuck in each other. 380,9,38,357 will get stuck in 10mm,41,44,45. 223 will get stuck in handgun brass.

Yep, done that a few times. I've found it easier to separate the brass before tumbling. I wait until I have a full container (about 5lbs.) of a given size and then tumble.

 

[muddocktor]

I bought the FA wet tumbler a few years ago and it does a great job of cleaning brass, but I also find that it strips every bit of lubrication from the cases and makes them run hard through the dies when reloading. So I only use it occasionally on pistol brass and when I do I re-run them through my old Lyman Turbo 1200 to put a bit of dust or the cleaning agent from the Lyman Green I use for media back on the cases after. If I don't do that, they tend to stick to the belling/thru powder die on my Dillon 450. I do use the FA on all my bottleneck rifle brass though, since I reload those on my T-7 and I don't have to bell those cases.

 

[oldman10mm]

Up here in NE Ohio, Kendall Ordnance is the brass (new and fired) supplier at the gun shows. After about a year of doing wet tumbling, I took some 223,380acp,9mm,44M (before they were die sized) to show them and they thought it was new unfired brass.

 

[Beemer-mark]

I can't argue that wet tumbling really makes the insides and primer pockets look like new. However I think it's a real PIA to do. I've gone back to dry media tumbling. Since I can't see inside a loaded cartridge I'm happy with the outside of the case looking new.

 

[Mistered]

Switched a couple years ago. I wish I done it sooner.

Ditto this - and I find dealing with liquid tumbling components easier than dry.

 

[tlawler]

I also find that it strips every bit of lubrication from the cases and makes them run hard through the dies when reloading. So I only use it occasionally on pistol brass and when I do I re-run them through my old Lyman Turbo 1200 to put a bit of dust or the cleaning agent from the Lyman Green I use for media back on the cases after.

I thought about this too. I figured they would come out literally "squeaky clean". I think I'll do the same and tumble them for an hour or so in some walnut media with some Nu-Finish in it.

I picked it up today, brought it home and set it up with 850 freshly deprimed 10mm cases. I had read about the issues with them leaking, so I put a light coating of Dow vacuum grease on the gasket and as an added precaution, it fit perfectly in an old cat litter pan I use to change oil. I'll post a pic of the finished product when they're done.

 

[tlawler]

Wow...I'm a believer!

Just finished and rinsed my 850 10mm cases. They are shiny and clean! Looks almost like I just ripped open a new bag of Starline. I ran it for three hours with half the sample wash solution and some Lemishine and didn't have any leaks. I can see getting all the pins out is going to be a pain. I hope when they finish drying, they won't stick inside the cases from surface tension like they are now.

 

[oldman10mm]

Remove the pins when wet/submerged. I open the tumbler and dump the entire contents into a 2 1/2 gallon bucket. Flood/run water to wash off/out all the 'nastiness'. The brass and pins stay at the bottom. The water provides the slipperiness for the pins the fall out. Bottleneck cases requires some manual shaking.

 

[max503]

I wish I had the motivation to clean my brass.

 

[iouri]

I separate pins immediately (even before rinsing) then pins get quick rinse and back into tumbler; brass gets few rinses and to the drying rack and after drying I do a quick dry tumble otherwise my dillon case mouth expander/powder drop sticks to brass real hard and it takes more effort to pull the case off the expander than to size it

 

[Sevens]

Talked to a friend of mine who sells goodies at the gun show. He's an old silhouette shooter, hangs out with the black powder rifle guys. We discussed tumbling and media. I asked him what the difference is between corn and walnut and why pick either. He said that walnut is a little harder, it lasts a little longer, but corn gives you a little more shine because it's softer.

I had mentioned that wet tumbling and stainless pins were just never going to be my thing. While I'm no dummy and YEAH that brass looks totally amazing, like staring at the surface of the sun... I just can't imagine the hassle involved with drying brass, etc etc.

He agreed and told me that he thinks the whole stainless pins and wet tumbling originated with the black powder cartridge rifle guys using big bore, old school stuff like .45-70. These cartridge cases are huge and the residue from the powder is thick and nasty and dry tumbling in regular media was a losing proposition, the media was needing to be thrown out and replaced in short order, thus the dawn of wet tumbling and stainless pins.

I'll say it again... the brass you guys make shiny is inspirational in the way that it looks, no doubt whatsoever. But if I'm lucky enough to make it in this life and hobby another 35 or 40 years, never will I be going down that road.

Two hours with corn media and just a dribble of Nu Finish in my vibratory tumbler and that's fantastic for me. The log says I'm tumbling somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 annually.

 

[tlawler]

Just finished my second batch. About 750 .45 ACP shells this time. I used Dawn and Lemishine the second time around. I'm really liking these clean cases. It's easier to see problems with them than when they are dirty/tarnished.

 

[Bayou52]

I started wet tumbling in 2012. Using a Thumler's high speed 15 pound drum. Using 1/4 TSP Lemi-Shine and 1 ounce of auto wash and wax rather than Dawn per batch.

Results:





I shoot so much that it's not needed to have jewelry like cases each time. Usually, just soaking in wash and wax and Lemi-Shine gets cases plenty clean and shiny enough...

Bayou52