Moonman
Member
Many more people are discovering the world of ROTARY tumbling brass with STAINLESS STEEL MEDIA to clean it and make it like NEW, INCLUDING THE PRIMER POCKETS.
The Stainless Media never needs replaced, (unless you loose it down the drain), like your eventually contaminated walnut shells or corn cob media in your vibrator type tumbler, PLUS THERE IS NO DUST.
The centerpiece of the deal is a ROTARY TUMBLER originally made for ROCK POLISHING.
The tumbler is a THUMBLER'S TUMBLER 15 POUND, MODEL "B" HI-SPEED MOTOR (3000 RPM), 40RPM DRUM SPEED, AN OLDER VERSION HAS A 30 OR SO DRUM RPM SPEED. the older and slower set-up works OK, it just takes longer to clean the brass.
The TUMBLING MEDIA ARE STAINLESS STEEL WIRE PINS, they are aprox. .042 in diameter, .252/.255 in length, and are of an ALLOY that is MAGNETIC and yet does not RUST. Magnetic Pins will help with loose or errant pin pick up. I store my pins in the drum WET. I also keep a magnet attached to the base plate so it's right there if I need it.
Complete set-ups are available from STM or Buffalo Arms. STM has a DELUXE kit, Thumbler's Tumbler, S.S. Pins, Lemi-Shine, and a Seperator on sale for $255. The standard set-up is about $225, or $179 for the Thumbler's Tumbler Hi-Speed alone, plus shipping.
The people who wish to Clean A Lot Of Brass, STM has a 40 Pound total drum load rotary tumbler on sale for $799.
***BEFORE CLEANING YOUR BRASS, TUMBLE THE PINS ALONE TO LET THEM DE-BURR THEMSELVES.***
I've made some additions to my set-up that make things a little nicer to use.
I run my unit with a "DoIt" brand Countdown Digital Timer, just push a button for 1 hour-2 hour-4 hour-8 hour run time and then forget it as it will turn off. Available on-line SKU # 520462 (Google it)
I understand some new units have the inside of the drum painted, older units do not, pull the rubber liner, clean well, prime, and paint it with a Rust-Oleum red paint to prevent the drum from rusting.
I replaced the WING NUTS with 1/4"-20 "FEMALE" ANTI-VIBRATION KNOBS these are available on-line from McFeeley's and the SKU # JKA 2500.
McFeeley's usually has CHEAP SHIPPING. The knobs are 1 3/8" O.D. x 9/16' width, this is important for the drums rotation.
The 15 pound TOTAL DRUM LOAD is 1 Gallon WARM WATER (8 pounds) the STAINLESS PINS which are 5 pounds, the Dawn soap, Lemi-Shine, and TWO (2) POUNDS OF YOUR BRASS.
THE SOAP AMOUNT CAN VARY WITH THE HARDNESS OF YOUR WATER.
A 15 pound drum loads contents:
1 Gallon warm water (8 pounds)
5 Pounds of the STAINLESS STEEL MEDIA PINS
1-2 Tablespoons "DAWN" Dish Washing Liquid
1 Teaspoon or a 9MM Case full of Lemi-Shine Rinse Agent
2 Pounds of your brass.
2 Pounds of brass weight would be ONE of the following:
.223 cal 160 cases
.308 cal 80 cases
45ACP 160 cases
40S&W 212 cases
9MM 228 cases
38 Spec. 198 cases
*** DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR DRUM ***
I made an additional DRAINING/FLUSHING plate from Plexiglas (LEXAN). Just use the drums removable plate for a template. I cut a 4" hole in the lower portion and Silicon Sealer Glued, after removing the handle, an "ONEIDA" Fine Mesh (smaller than the pin size) strainer from Wal-Mart, not a cheap one $8. The ONEIDA MODEL NUMBER IS 7822. On the upper part 180 degrees from the 4" hole I put a 1" hole to fill with water or for a hose to fit into the drum to flush.
MOST OF THE "BLACK" WATER YOU FLUSH OUT IS CARBON.
The pins DO NOT WORK HARDEN THE BRASS.
For people in a hurry to reload, you can use an ALCOHOL BATH to DISPLACE THE WATER ON THE BRASS. Use 90-99 % Alcohol, NOT THE MORE COMMON DRUG STORE 70% variety.
Shake pins out of the brass and excess water off, drop in the alcohol bath, shake off again and ready to reload in a couple minutes.
BE CAREFUL, and return the alcohol to it's original container.
THIS IS LIKE THE CADILLAC OF BRASS CLEANING COMPARED TO REGULAR VIBRATORY BRASS CLEANING.
It's easy, cleaner, QUIETER THAN A VIBRATOR, and works BEAUTIFULLY to clean inside, outside and especially the primer pockets.
TAKE YOUR CHOICE, IT'S YOUR DECISION, A ROTARY AND STAINLESS MEDIA OR THE OLD STYLE DIRTY, NOISY, DUSTY VIBRATOR CLEANERS THAT YOU MUST REPLACE THE MEDIA IN. A COST THAT ADDS UP FOR YEARS, YOU DO THE MATH.
Good Loading and Shooting Guys and Gals.
The Stainless Media never needs replaced, (unless you loose it down the drain), like your eventually contaminated walnut shells or corn cob media in your vibrator type tumbler, PLUS THERE IS NO DUST.
The centerpiece of the deal is a ROTARY TUMBLER originally made for ROCK POLISHING.
The tumbler is a THUMBLER'S TUMBLER 15 POUND, MODEL "B" HI-SPEED MOTOR (3000 RPM), 40RPM DRUM SPEED, AN OLDER VERSION HAS A 30 OR SO DRUM RPM SPEED. the older and slower set-up works OK, it just takes longer to clean the brass.
The TUMBLING MEDIA ARE STAINLESS STEEL WIRE PINS, they are aprox. .042 in diameter, .252/.255 in length, and are of an ALLOY that is MAGNETIC and yet does not RUST. Magnetic Pins will help with loose or errant pin pick up. I store my pins in the drum WET. I also keep a magnet attached to the base plate so it's right there if I need it.
Complete set-ups are available from STM or Buffalo Arms. STM has a DELUXE kit, Thumbler's Tumbler, S.S. Pins, Lemi-Shine, and a Seperator on sale for $255. The standard set-up is about $225, or $179 for the Thumbler's Tumbler Hi-Speed alone, plus shipping.
The people who wish to Clean A Lot Of Brass, STM has a 40 Pound total drum load rotary tumbler on sale for $799.
***BEFORE CLEANING YOUR BRASS, TUMBLE THE PINS ALONE TO LET THEM DE-BURR THEMSELVES.***
I've made some additions to my set-up that make things a little nicer to use.
I run my unit with a "DoIt" brand Countdown Digital Timer, just push a button for 1 hour-2 hour-4 hour-8 hour run time and then forget it as it will turn off. Available on-line SKU # 520462 (Google it)
I understand some new units have the inside of the drum painted, older units do not, pull the rubber liner, clean well, prime, and paint it with a Rust-Oleum red paint to prevent the drum from rusting.
I replaced the WING NUTS with 1/4"-20 "FEMALE" ANTI-VIBRATION KNOBS these are available on-line from McFeeley's and the SKU # JKA 2500.
McFeeley's usually has CHEAP SHIPPING. The knobs are 1 3/8" O.D. x 9/16' width, this is important for the drums rotation.
The 15 pound TOTAL DRUM LOAD is 1 Gallon WARM WATER (8 pounds) the STAINLESS PINS which are 5 pounds, the Dawn soap, Lemi-Shine, and TWO (2) POUNDS OF YOUR BRASS.
THE SOAP AMOUNT CAN VARY WITH THE HARDNESS OF YOUR WATER.
A 15 pound drum loads contents:
1 Gallon warm water (8 pounds)
5 Pounds of the STAINLESS STEEL MEDIA PINS
1-2 Tablespoons "DAWN" Dish Washing Liquid
1 Teaspoon or a 9MM Case full of Lemi-Shine Rinse Agent
2 Pounds of your brass.
2 Pounds of brass weight would be ONE of the following:
.223 cal 160 cases
.308 cal 80 cases
45ACP 160 cases
40S&W 212 cases
9MM 228 cases
38 Spec. 198 cases
*** DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR DRUM ***
I made an additional DRAINING/FLUSHING plate from Plexiglas (LEXAN). Just use the drums removable plate for a template. I cut a 4" hole in the lower portion and Silicon Sealer Glued, after removing the handle, an "ONEIDA" Fine Mesh (smaller than the pin size) strainer from Wal-Mart, not a cheap one $8. The ONEIDA MODEL NUMBER IS 7822. On the upper part 180 degrees from the 4" hole I put a 1" hole to fill with water or for a hose to fit into the drum to flush.
MOST OF THE "BLACK" WATER YOU FLUSH OUT IS CARBON.
The pins DO NOT WORK HARDEN THE BRASS.
For people in a hurry to reload, you can use an ALCOHOL BATH to DISPLACE THE WATER ON THE BRASS. Use 90-99 % Alcohol, NOT THE MORE COMMON DRUG STORE 70% variety.
Shake pins out of the brass and excess water off, drop in the alcohol bath, shake off again and ready to reload in a couple minutes.
BE CAREFUL, and return the alcohol to it's original container.
THIS IS LIKE THE CADILLAC OF BRASS CLEANING COMPARED TO REGULAR VIBRATORY BRASS CLEANING.
It's easy, cleaner, QUIETER THAN A VIBRATOR, and works BEAUTIFULLY to clean inside, outside and especially the primer pockets.
TAKE YOUR CHOICE, IT'S YOUR DECISION, A ROTARY AND STAINLESS MEDIA OR THE OLD STYLE DIRTY, NOISY, DUSTY VIBRATOR CLEANERS THAT YOU MUST REPLACE THE MEDIA IN. A COST THAT ADDS UP FOR YEARS, YOU DO THE MATH.
Good Loading and Shooting Guys and Gals.
Last edited:
. There is also the brass sorter pans for range brass.
I use Vinegar, Salt and soap over the Lem Shine as it is way cheaper, Also the other can is Bar Keepers Friend which works real well. Here in Fl on the driveway the brass gets too hot to handle, dries in a few minutes. Save the solution and it can be used many times. 
