Ceramic Media

[bmblong]

Anyone out there use this ceramic media? How many pounds do you need to start. (Average sized tumbler.) Does it last forever? I'm concerned with the dust off of my brass tumbler and want to go with something I can wet down. It also interests me that it might last forever. Thanks.

[imashooter2]

You can't wet down a standard vibratory tumbler. You need a rotary unit for wet tumbling. I've never used it for brass, but we used it in the old machine shop for deburr in a large cement mixer and the media lasted more than the 10 years I worked there.

[RANGER RICK]

I use it in a Thumblers Tumbler Model B .
I will not be here for ever but it sure has not wore down over the last 5 years .
It is great stuff . No more dust to deal with .
After tumbling for a couple hours i dump it all out in a strainer and run cold water over it then put the media back in the tumbler .
Double thumbs up .

RR

[powderburnerr]

There is an article on the BPCR.net boars about the media , Dave mauer sells the best and he has stuff for both vibratory and tumbler setups , basicelyyou need a couple more pounds and have to submerge the brass under the solution , I would use a heavy duty vibratory tumbler as there has been a couple meltdowns with the lighter weight units........Dean

[monadnock#5]

In straight walled brass ceramic media works great. You have to be careful with bottle necked brass though. The wrong size and shape will fill the case and "lock in", and turn into a horror show trying to remove it.

[bmblong]

Midway USA has media for sale @ $15 for 1.75 lbs. Is that a decent price? How many pounds do you need for 100 pieces of brass? Thanks.

[powderburnerr]

bmblong ,
AS AN EXAMPLE ,Dave Mauer recomends 8 pounds for vibratory cleaners ...

he sells a "kit" with the media and 2 qts of his soap , which will go a real long way , for around 60 ,or 70 dollars I believe .
Montana charlie hass found some for a lot cheaper , but dont know if he has ever ordered any. there are a lot of diferent soap recipies to use.
Some of the media is for burnishing , some for deburring.. make sure you get the right stuff........Dean

[imashooter2]

Sagebrush has a 10 pound kit for $40 IIRC.

[dromia]

I got mine from Buffalo Arms, 6lbs and 2 pints of soap for $40.

6lbs is just right for my Thumlers Tumbler model B.

Use it for my big bore BP cases, its the canines gonads for me.

[montana_charlie]

How many pounds do you need to start. (Average sized tumbler).
You didn't say if that is a roller or a shaker.

6lbs is just right for my Thumlers Tumbler model B.
bmblong, dromia is using that 6 pounds in a roller (rotary tumbler) which has a '15 pound' barrel. The Lortone QT-12 has a '12 pound barrel', and has enough volume to easily hold a gallon of water.

I hope these comparisons help you get a handle on how much you need for your 'average sized' tumbler.

If it IS a shaker, your next worry is if it's stout enough to handle the heavier weight of the media and water...several former Thumbler's advocates are now switching to the Dillon shaker to avoid rolling inward the mouths of their cases.
CM