Load DataInline FabricationRotoMetals2PBcastco
Reloading EverythingLee PrecisionTitan ReloadingWideners
MidSouth Shooters Supply Repackbox
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 33 of 33

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

  1. #21
    Boolit Master
    marlin39a's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Paulden, Arizona
    Posts
    1,426
    I deprime my black powder brass, and clean in an ultrasonic with warm water and citric acid. Then they get tumbled in corn cob with Nu finish. They come out looking like new.

  2. #22
    Banned


    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NJ via TX
    Posts
    3,876
    the type of brass cleaning method, tools and materials will depend on how bad the bp residue is on the brass. my fired brass gets dunked in a soap/water solution within a few seconds of firing and this brass cleaning works best for me - 30 minutes in a hornady 2L U/S with hornady brass solution. shake off the excess water and then 15 minutes in a corn media vibrator. done. what i like best about a U/S is how well it cleans what's most important - the inside of the case, particularly since i only load black powder, and we know what can happen with anything that'll give purchase to the bp whence fired. the .45-70 brass below has been fired many times and has lotsa life left.


  3. #23
    Boolit Buddy blackpowder man's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    north georgia
    Posts
    305
    Just saw this thread and I’m also debating which way to go when I replace my old and tired vibratory tumbler. I was thinking about ultra sonic because it should quieter, easier, and less messy. I’d like to hear more about them and their downfalls and also how loud are the rotary tumblers? If you use stainless pins a magnet won’t get the pins out of the brass right?

  4. #24
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    17
    Quote Originally Posted by blackpowder man View Post
    Just saw this thread and I’m also debating which way to go when I replace my old and tired vibratory tumbler. I was thinking about ultra sonic because it should quieter, easier, and less messy. I’d like to hear more about them and their downfalls and also how loud are the rotary tumblers? If you use stainless pins a magnet won’t get the pins out of the brass right?
    I bought a rotary with metal pins and love it! I use the wheel/ball brass separator the brass from pins and the magnet to pick up any pins on the floor or bucket. I use a fine mesh cloth to strain the water from the pins and rinse. I love it compared to dry tumbling. I never tried the ultrasonic.

  5. #25
    Banned


    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NJ via TX
    Posts
    3,876
    totally subjective since vibratory, tumbler and ultra sonic brass cleaners all can get the job done. i tried all three, each type for years. for my bpcr and handgun brass, i'm sticking with ultra sonic all the way - super quiet, twice as fast, and the brass is just as clean inside as outside, which is important to me for black powder loads. ymmv.

  6. #26
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    82
    Tumbling with SS,Lemishine,Dawn, water is the only way to go for any case cleaning.

  7. #27
    Boolit Master gpidaho's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Beautiful Idaho
    Posts
    2,644
    I have two RCBS vibratory tub cleaners, a Lyman ultra-sonic and a Lyman Cyclone SS pin tumblers. Each have their spot and chore in my brass cleaning efforts. Gp

  8. #28
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ely MN. (bwcaw)
    Posts
    702
    Quote Originally Posted by gpidaho View Post
    I have two RCBS vibratory tub cleaners, a Lyman ultra-sonic and a Lyman Cyclone SS pin tumblers. Each have their spot and chore in my brass cleaning efforts. Gp
    when do you use which ? diffrent media in the two vibratory tubs ?

  9. #29
    Boolit Grand Master

    mold maker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Piedmont (Conover) NC
    Posts
    5,429
    I would only recommend ultrasonic for smaller batches. The rotary tumblers w/SS pins for large numbers, and vibrators for light duty.
    The cons are rinsing, dirty water disposal, and drying with ultrasonic and rotary, lead-laden dust from vibrators.
    As stated each has it's favored use. If I didn't already have several tumblers of both types, I'd be interested in sonic. Most of what I do is in large volume so the ultrasonic really isn't feasible.
    The ultimate in shiny brass, (much better than new) is a combination of SS pins in a rotary tumbler to clean, and a turn in cob vibrator to polish. You'll need sunglasses. It's true, they won't shoot any better, but sure are a source of pride at the range when I bring out my loaded jewelry.
    Last edited by mold maker; 02-18-2018 at 05:22 PM.
    Information not shared. is wasted.

  10. #30
    Banned


    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NJ via TX
    Posts
    3,876
    there are ultra sonic machines and then there are Ultra Sonic machines. its size (and overall quality) determines its effective capacity. i use a hornady 2L and can do fifty 45-70 cases at a time ... but do remember it only takes a very quiet 30 minutes to get the job thoroughly done, so an hour for 100 cases. this fits me fine as typically i'm cleaning no more than 40, but if i had to do 100 it would be no big deal. if i had to routinely do a 100, that would justify a much larger machine.

    also, it WILL matter how well you take care of a fresh spent case, and mine are immediately dropped into a water/dawn solution after firing. the more lax one is with pre-clean handling the less work the U/S hasta do to get the brass squeaky clean. i was given some really nasty winchester 45-70 brass that took a double run (1 hour) to get acceptably clean inside and out. i do use a corn media vibratory (with the top off) to dry off the wet brass because i'm usually lazy about towelling them off, or leaving 'em in the sun (if it's out ).

    all the brass cleaning processes available will work just fine. all are subjective compromises of sorts. all can get the job done.

  11. #31
    I'm A Honcho!
    bluejay75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1,752
    Just a suggestion. Lyman and a brass dryer. You will need to come up with 25 more dollars.

    https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-7631550...dia+sifter+set

    PLUS........

    https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Ars...ds=brass+dryer
    You never know how you rank amongst men 'til you have seen what will break another man.
    The original "Bluejay" US Army/ US Navy 1945-1970.

  12. #32
    Banned


    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NJ via TX
    Posts
    3,876
    that frankford brass dryer got some really negative reviews. some folks are having much better results using a food dehydrator instead.

  13. #33
    I'm A Honcho!
    bluejay75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1,752
    I have had no issues. Mine is over a year old and gets used roughly twice a week. I shake in a towel before putting them in the dryer. Usually gets them dry without spots in less than an hour.
    You never know how you rank amongst men 'til you have seen what will break another man.
    The original "Bluejay" US Army/ US Navy 1945-1970.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check