tumbling media

[6shot]

what type tumbling media is the best to use? I have a thumlers tumbler and a vibrating tumbler. I've got walnut media in the thumler and i just seems that it takes to long to get clean. Is there anything better. any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[OKFC05]

Walnut gets it clean.
Corn cob makes it shiny.
A spoonfull of Midway polish speeds it up (don't overdo the polish).

How long it takes depends on what you're cleaning. My nickle I just shot: 30 min.
Plain brass: couple of hours.
Range trash tarnished brass: ??

 

[buckshotshorty]

I have found that adding a cap full of Nufinish Car Polish, and a cap full of paint thinner to the media ( I use 50/50 corn cob/ walnut ) run it for about 5 minutes before adding in your brass, and that greatly cuts run time, and markedly increases shine and cleanliness. Two hrs. run time is plenty.

 

[Big Cholla]

A good grade of cat litter material works as well as walnut or corn media. Avoid adding anything that contains ammonia as ammonia will cause brass to lose its tensile strength and become brittle. That is the last thing one wants in ammunition brass. ......... Big Cholla

 

[tdan]

I have used both corn cob and walnut media. They both work for me. I pretty much use walnut these days. Go check out your local Petco or similar big pet shop and head for the reptile section. Look for Desert Blend lizard litter made by Zilla. This comes in a big bag for around $10. Works great and much cheaper than the commercial walnut media sold at premium prices by most reloading suppliers. I also use Midway's polish with good results.

I tried the Nu-Finish car wax suggestion awhile back. I probably put in a bit too much, as I had a bunch of gummed up cases that I had to retumble in some fresh media.

Keep in mind that some of that old stained range pick-up brass is stained through and through. You can tumble that stuff until you are blue in the face........the tarnish is there for good.

 

[arizona98tj]

I have a thumlers tumbler and a vibrating tumbler. I've got walnut media in the thumler and i just seems that it takes to long to get clean. Is there anything better. any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks

I've used both and still have a 3 decade old Thumbers Tumbler. I currently use a vibrating polisher and have found it to simply work better than old tumbling method. That being said, I use ground corn cob media with a bit of Dillon polish in it. I toss in a couple of used cut up drier sheets which helps keep the media cleaner.

 

[tdan]

Holy flame out!!!!!.........This thread may have put the curse on my old Midway 1292 tumbler. I had just started cleaning some brass, and suddenly that customary noise just ceased. Now I smell smoke, and just as I pull the plug, the windings catch fire. Back in the 90's, I remember they had a recall on these tumblers due to this very problem. I had always suspected that overheating of the motor was due to not enough airflow. I always had mine up about 4 inches off the floor on a fabricated tripod stand just to insure that little cooling fan had access to air. Gave Midway a call, and they will replace it with one of the new Frankford Arsenal tumblers. They no longer have motors for the old 1292's.

Anyone using one of these Frankfords? The Midway reviews are not exactly awe-inspiring. I'm almost tempted to see if I can get this motor repaired. The bearings are still smooth as silk. That rinky dink plastic fan was probably still not providing enough air.

By the way........I was always concerned about the potential fire hazard of this type of tumbler. I only ran it while I was at home.

 

[azjohn]

tdan; why don't you ask if you can pay the difference and upgrade to what you want. Never hurts to ask.

 

[imashooter2]

Holy flame out!!!!!.........This thread may have put the curse on my old Midway 1292 tumbler. I had just started cleaning some brass, and suddenly that customary noise just ceased. Now I smell smoke, and just as I pull the plug, the windings catch fire. Back in the 90's, I remember they had a recall on these tumblers due to this very problem. I had always suspected that overheating of the motor was due to not enough airflow. I always had mine up about 4 inches off the floor on a fabricated tripod stand just to insure that little cooling fan had access to air. Gave Midway a call, and they will replace it with one of the new Frankford Arsenal tumblers. They no longer have motors for the old 1292's.

Anyone using one of these Frankfords? The Midway reviews are not exactly awe-inspiring. I'm almost tempted to see if I can get this motor repaired. The bearings are still smooth as silk. That rinky dink plastic fan was probably still not providing enough air.

By the way........I was always concerned about the potential fire hazard of this type of tumbler. I only ran it while I was at home.

The Frankford isn't as good as the old 1292. Take the aluminum base plate off when you get it and add some rubber feet for an air gap.

 

[blastfact]

I use what ever is cheap corn cob. I also use brass-o and all its ( don't use it ammonia.)

 

[mkk41]

Walnut is a much faster cleaner than corn , but it does wear out. And yes , a capful of Dillons Rapid Polish will help things out.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I prefer rice for the intital cleaning, usually about 2 hours. Then its into very fine walnut media (kay-lee from pet-smart) with a capful of Nu-Finish, for another 2 hours. Brass looks factory new.

Bright shiney brass is much easier to find at the range.

In addition to the rice being cheap, I find I don't get the dust like you do with the corn cob or walnut media.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Rice and car wax does great.