Cheap Corn Cob Tumbling Media

[deltaenterprizes]

A couple years ago I purchased a 50 lb bag of fine media from a company that is associated with WW Grainger but I can't remember the name of the company, I think it was something with the last word in the name being "spot".
Does anybody know the place?

[Love Life]

Drillspot

[deltaenterprizes]

Thanks!

[pworley1]

I use walnut hull media that comes from industrial supply companies. It comes in 50 pound bags and is used for sandblasting. The last bag I bought was about 35.00.

[Yodogsandman]

I just ordered a 40 lb box of corn cob blasting media for about $35 shipped to my door from Zoro.

http://www.zoro.com/econoline-blast-media-corn-cob-20-to-40-grit-526040g-40/i/G2165387/

[blademasterii]

I go to walmart and look in the pet section. Corn cob and walnut both for a few bucks.

[RogerDat]

I go to walmart and look in the pet section. Corn cob and walnut both for a few bucks.

I'm just getting into vibration cleaning of brass so only seeking clarity not disagreeing.

What I have read is that the walnut for pet use (lizard bedding) is ok if you want the stronger scrubbing / less polishing action of crushed walnut but that the corn cob for pets was not so good. Something like it was the whole cob and the stuff for polishing should be only the outer part, and maybe the wrong size or weight was part of that. Suggestions were to use corn cob intended for sand blaster use. If the cheap and readily available stuff from the pet store works that might be very convenient and inexpensive.

[blademasterii]

I use it for straight wall brass only. It is a PAIN if you are doing rifle brass with a neck. The media is about 1/8'' or sightly larger and works great with some nufinish on brass.

[jcwit]

RogderDat from your location I'm sure you have a Grainger fairly close buy, order it if they do not have it in stock, a 40 lb bag will last you for years and only costs $39.00. The gris to get is 20/40, you have no clogged flash holes or clogged primer pockets, plus you can use it for bottle neck rifle cases as well and any handgun cases, this size grit flows like sand. I didcovered this probably 10 years ago.

Been tumbling brass for 20 years IIRC.

[Yodogsandman]

I'm just getting into vibration cleaning of brass so only seeking clarity not disagreeing.

What I have read is that the walnut for pet use (lizard bedding) is ok if you want the stronger scrubbing / less polishing action of crushed walnut but that the corn cob for pets was not so good. Something like it was the whole cob and the stuff for polishing should be only the outer part, and maybe the wrong size or weight was part of that. Suggestions were to use corn cob intended for sand blaster use. If the cheap and readily available stuff from the pet store works that might be very convenient and inexpensive.

I've used only corn cob media for almost all my cleaning needs for the most of 35 years. If the brass is real dirty, just tumble/vibrate it longer. Corn cob media polishes and leaves the cases looking better than new. Walnut is better used with red rouge abrasive and you're right, it leaves a dull finish. I like using a vibrating tumbler because you can turn it on and leave it to do what you want and then come back to it later.

[Michael J. Spangler]

the grit o cob media is really nice
it's very consistent without all of the dustiness of some of the cheaper blasting stuff.
Clint Sales in Massachusetts sells it. If you call ask for Cindy. She will take care of you
I paid around $50 shipped for the 50#

[country gent]

RogerDat, Check with Tractor Supply company (TSC) the Andersons ( they used to carry corn cob in several grits for sand blasting I believe the bag I have from them is 2020) Paint supply stores farm supply stores restoration specialist should have it on hand by 50 lb bags. Another is roof painters and shopd that specialize in sand blasting they may sell you smaller quanities.

[RogerDat]

That is what I like about this place..... ask and ye shall receive.
Several options there I go past TSC every couple of weeks anyway, so a check there is easy. And Graingers is available, not local exactly but in the area. Farm supply stores we got at least a couple, There is also a welding supply place and an A&L Paint. Knowing the grits to ask for I'll check around see if I can pick up a supply local as a first choice.

Just received a Cabela's 400 vibrating cleaner kit. Was researching options and thinking it was time to go beyond citric acid wash. Had it down to the Berry's/Cabela's 400 as the way to go for a decent entry level choice at a good price and the kit went on sale for $59... The rest as they say is just UPS doing their thing.

[MtGun44]

Walnut dust can cause allergies in some people. If you have any
allergies, I'd recommend corncob. Add a capful of NuFinish for the
first 5 or so batches then another one every so often. Does a fantastic
job.

[jcwit]

That Berry tumbler Branded by Cabela's is one of the best values out there.

[Elkins45]

That Berry tumbler Branded by Cabela's is one of the best values out there.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been thinking of supplementing my 30 year old Lyman 1200 with a second tumbler.

To the OP: by very careful and try to get a look at corn cob media before you buy a huge bag to make sure the grains aren't too big. I spent a VERY annoying hour once picking media out of 243 cases because I dumped them into the wrong batch of tumbling media.

[dale2242]

I got 40# of walnut media at the local Grange Co Op for $9.95.....dale

[jcwit]

Thing is 40 lbs. of walnut is much less material than 40 lbs. of corn cob.

Think 40 lbs. of lead versus 40 lbs. of feathers.

[RogerDat]

Thing is 40 lbs. of walnut is much less material than 40 lbs. of corn cob.

Think 40 lbs. of lead versus 40 lbs. of feathers.

I need a vacation! I had to think about that for at least 10 seconds before going "oh!".
I ran around 200 - 250 cases, 38 special through last night. Some of this stuff is over 10 years old, washed in citric acid, used a few times. Came out looking great in about 1.5 hours using the corn cob and brass polish that came with the kit. Even the sifter worked pretty decent. Vibrator not silent by any means but just inside the basement with the door closed it did not interfere with TV watching in room at top of the basement stairs. Struck by how heavy and solid it felt. Figured a plastic bowl, base and lid would feel light and flimsy, it did not.

Only complaint I had was using a 5 gallon WW bucket to sift the media into and pull out the brass was an awkward height. Bucket was too tall when on the bench and having the bucket on the floor was too low for my stool. I'll have to find something that gets me working at the right height if I'm going to do larger quantities or often. Shorter stool probably so I can work on the floor.

BTW - that kit with the vibrator, media, polish and sifter is still on sale for $54.99 at Cabela's. $20 off normal price.

[jcwit]

Add a teaspoon or two of mineral spirits to the media, no more dust.

Sit the tumbler on a 1' x 1' cement paving block, available from Menards and others for $1.00, gets much quieter.

To keep the media clean or at least cleaner for longer use, cut up a few USED dryer towels and toss into the tumbler with the media.

[BNE]

I've use a tumbler for 15 yrs and I just learned a few new tricks!

McMaster Carr also has corn cob media for blasting:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#abrasive-blasting-media/=x2zyoa

[Conditor22]

did a little searching and found this:

40 pounds of blast media Corn Cob 14 to 20 Grit for vibratory cleaner $30.27 shipped

https://www.govets.com/index.php/grainger-approved-226-cxg-2mvr4.html

this company supports veterans :)

[BJK]

I've always used walnut media for cleaning range brass. I use the corncob for after it's been cleaned for the final polish along with a bit of Brasso.

[Garyshome]

Lizzard litter from petsmart

[David2011]

I go to walmart and look in the pet section. Corn cob and walnut both for a few bucks.

I made that mistake once. The chunks were huge, like .12-.20 caliber. Had to dig it out of every .223 case with a wire probe. The smallest corn cob blast media is small enough to go through flash holes. I don’t use walnut much since I started using corn cob.

[KCSO]

Earl May lizzard bedding. Real cheap and works good.

[shooterg]

did a little searching and found this:

40 pounds of blast media Corn Cob 14 to 20 Grit for vibratory cleaner $30.27 shipped

https://www.govets.com/index.php/grainger-approved-226-cxg-2mvr4.html

this company supports veterans :)

Good deal, but will not deliver to my PO - used the same address for 35 years, too bad.

[Dsltech1]

I’ve got no complaints. Ordered 20/40. It shipped from Grainger and arrived in a day.

[Lloyd Smale]

i get 50lb bags of walnut at the local feed mill. About a cap full of nu finish car polish in it takes care of the dust and makes your cases nice and shinny.