I have $175, which brass cleaning system should i get?

[Treegunner]

I have $175 to put towards either an ultrasound cleaner or Frankford Arsenal Rotary tumbler which would be best for cleaning 45-110 black powder brass? I think I would prefer the UC, just put the brass in then dry them off when done, no messing with pins etc.

What's our advice and thanks in advance!

[Gunlaker]

I was a big believer in ultrasonic because I couldn't get my Lyman rotary tumbler with stainless steel pins to clean cases without peening the mouths badly. It turns at about 100 rpm and has a large drum.

I later switched to a 30rpm Thumblers Tumbler with stainless pins. The lower speed, or maybe better drum design of the Thumblers has nearly eliminated peening. I've switched entirely to the Thumblers for all case cleaning now.

Chris.

[John Boy]

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-d...ign=cleanbrass

I have 2 of the dual drum Harbor Freight's (for about 8 years) and a dual 6# drum Lotorne but that one is $225
Highly recommend the Harbor Freight
And you'll be sorry if you buy a sonic cleaner to clean brass - ask me how I know

[Treegunner]

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-d...ign=cleanbrass

I have 2 of the dual drum Harbor Freight's (for about 8 years) and a dual 6# drum Lotorne but that one is $225
Highly recommend the Harbor Freight
And you'll be sorry if you buy a sonic cleaner to clean brass - ask me how I know

Wow, I have a %20 off coupon for Harbor freight!!! I just need to get the pins!!!

[M-Tecs]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/71...mbler-110-volt

I use both pins and ultrasonic cleaners. For blackpowder I have not been happy with the results that the ultrasonic gives.

[slim1836]

I second the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Case Tumbler, works well for me.

Slim

[Treegunner]

I second the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Case Tumbler, works well for me.

Slim

Thanks so much guys, I just ordered it off Amazon!!!! I really want to get into this BPCR doing the right things and buy once!!! Cant wait Thanks again!!

[Smoke4320]

SS pins and a low speed rotary tumbler
Turn low brown stained brass like new in 2 to 3 hrs

[Road_Clam]

I have the FA wet SS pin tumbler, wished I had bought this 10 years ago. Yes it's a bit more work, a bit more messy for cleanup but dam your brass comes out looking BRAND NEW. Alls' I use is a quick squeeze of concentrated Dawn dish soap, and a tblspoon of Lemi shine. Let the brass dry in the sun (summer) or bake ay 150F for about 30 min in the oven. Done.

[John Boy]

Let the brass dry in the sun (summer) or bake ay 150F for about 30 min in the oven.

Waste of time in the Sun and oven ... Here's How to Dry Brass in Under 2 Minutes
http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/in...=7653.msg56565

[Treegunner]

Thanks for the tips, I am going to tumble my brass tomorrow! I have to get some Dawn and Lemi Shine!

[Mr_Sheesh]

I could use any of my soldering hot air guns if in THAT big a hurry; At the risk of annealing them. I just use the dehydrator tho, as the next lot of cases will take a while to get clean & need drying

[Lead pot]

The Frankford Arsenal is a good tumbler I use it also. Do your self a favor and get these two extra pieces it makes saving the pins a lot easier and get a 5 gallon bucket to catch the water. Also if you leave the dirty soapy water in the bucket for a couple days the black fouling will settle to the bottom and you can reuse the soap several times.

For the classifier get the 70 mesh it will hold the pins.
http://www.goldfeverprospecting.com/clsc.html
The magnet is also great to have to pick up pins off the floor if you spill them and separate them from the cases.
http://www.goldfeverprospecting.com/blacksand.html

[Grmps]

home made

or get the The Frankford Arsenal
dry in food dehydrator

for small batches

for 2 gallon batches

[Mr_Sheesh]

Got the magnet, meant to ask but keep forgetting it (pretty busy here, also Ooooh Shiny Brass syndrome LOL!) - Would it be wise or is it unnecessary to pop the magnetic pin remover into a plastic bag / coating, to keep water out of it? Been just using it once the brass is in the sieves but considering trying another way maybe...

[Tom Herman]

I use the HF tumbler for low volume production (with SS pins and Lemishine), but I'm not entirely happy with it because the brass doesn't come out shiny as when I use the big Dillon vibratory tumbler, corncob, and the Dillon Rapid Polish...
That being said, I'll tolerate the matte finish on the cartridges.
Processing the BP brass takes several stages: A good soak in a water and dilute vinegar solution to neutralize the alkaline salts, followed by a wash and a trip to the oven to dry.
Then, I deprime and SS pin/Lemishine tumble, followed by another good rinse and another oven dry.
If I ever do larger quantities, I may simply use the Dillon vibratory tumbler, but will still do the rinse/decap stages.
I think the steel pins do a GREAT job of cleaning out the primer pockets.
I was shocked at how much crud is in the pockets, even when using 4198....
Best of Luck!

-Tom

[jmort]

FART with chips and the FA Dryer

[Treegunner]

I have the FA wet SS pin tumbler, wished I had bought this 10 years ago. Yes it's a bit more work, a bit more messy for cleanup but dam your brass comes out looking BRAND NEW. Alls' I use is a quick squeeze of concentrated Dawn dish soap, and a tblspoon of Lemi shine. Let the brass dry in the sun (summer) or bake ay 150F for about 30 min in the oven. Done.

Do you use distilled water or regular tap water???

[Treegunner]

I used my FA tumbler with the soap they provided and the brass came out great and YUP!!!! I need a magnet!

[hiram]

I have both.

Whereas the ultrasonic cleans the grime, grit, or other dirt off the case, it does not polish. The cases are still dull and 'look' dirty, but they are clean.

The thumblers tumbler leaves my 45-70 cases clean enough that when you open the canister, put on sunglasses. My mix is water, 1/2 tsp of dawn and a few shakes of sour salt. I use small ceramic media. You might also use lemishine instead of sour salt.