Dry media tumbler for mold cleaning?

[Bantou]

Has anybody tried using their dry media tumbler (the vibrating kind) to clean their aluminum molds? Also, has anybody used break cleaner on aluminum molds?

Many thanks,
B


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[Jack Stanley]

I've used brake cleaner or carb cleaner lots of times with good results . I'm not sure the vibrating polisher would be a great idea .

Jack

[Bantou]

I'm not sure the vibrating polisher would be a great idea .

Jack

I’m not either but I thought it was worth asking. I have a couple of molds that have a lot of carbon build up from a previous owner smoking the hell out of them. The idea hit me last night while I casting with the tumbler running next to me.


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[high standard 40]

I would not use a vibratory cleaner on a mold, especially if the two mold halves are in there at the same time. The two halves would possibly be damaged as the rubbed against each other. Maybe if they we cleaned separately it would be ok, but I've never tried it. Brake cleaner is fine.

[Bantou]

I would not use a vibratory cleaner on a mold, especially if the two mold halves are in there at the same time. The two halves would possibly be damaged as the rubbed against each other. Maybe if they we cleaned separately it would be ok, but I've never tried it. Brake cleaner is fine.

That seems to be the general consensus both here and other places that I asked the same question. If I had a mold that was already past the point of no return I might try it as an experiment but I’m not willing to risk good molds on it.


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[jsizemore]

Maybe an ultrasonic cleaner.

[Bantou]

Maybe an ultrasonic cleaner.

Unfortunately for the time being an ultrasonic cleaner is outside of my budget.


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[toallmy]

I used citrus acid / water on a RCBS mold with a tooth brush but I don't know how it would effect aluminum it removed the blue on the old RCBS mold but it was shiny clean , you may get away with just scrubbing the mold with a tooth brush and dawn dish liquid . Don't do anything that would scratch or etch the aluminum .

[Bazoo]

I've cleaned an aluminum mould with a brass/bronze toothbrush. Extremely gently and with caution to work towards the cavity edge and not away from it. In this instance I did it cause I was stupid and had melted a nylon toothbrush in the cavity trying to scrub it hot. It worked and left the parting line visible but not raised on the bullets. I had tried various solvents first with no results.

For whatever reason I didn't address the issue, and went off on a tangent. If I recall correctly I've cleaned a smoked mould with brake cleaner and a toothbrush.

[Conditor22]

What seems to be the problem with your aluminum molds?

What brand and size are they?

PS pictures really help us determine a good solution :)

[Bantou]

What seems to be the problem with your aluminum molds?

What brand and size are they?

PS pictures really help us determine a good solution :)

They have heavy carbon build up from being over smoked by a previous owner. I’m getting boolits that are showing signs of trapped air. My best guess is that the carbon buildup has clogged the vent lines. They are Lee 45acp 230gr Rn, 9mm 124 gr FP, and 38/357 158gr WC


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[blackthorn]

Quote":Unfortunately for the time being an ultrasonic cleaner is outside of my budget.

Take an appropriate size container, use a rubber band to hold an electric tooth-brush on the outside, put mould in, cover with cleaning fluid and turn on tooth-brush. Or, alternately, place container against your tumbler and turn it on. Both these methods have worked for me.

[Bantou]

Quote":Or, alternately, place container against your tumbler and turn it on. Both these methods have worked for me.

So place the container on the lid of the tumbler?

Totally off topic: your name wouldn’t happen to be a reference to the stormlight chronicles would it?


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[Dimner]

Kal and Syl!

[Conditor22]

I'd try acetone, brake cleaner and a stiff nylon brush (I use a denture cleaning brush 99¢ @ the dollar store.

You can chase the vent lines with bamboo skewers and make a hot glue boolit with a shank cast into it, slits cut in the side and a little polishing compound spun slowly with a drill for the cavities.

[RickinTN]

I have cleaned molds before with a medium to firm toothbrush and a polishing toothpaste. It is a bit slow, but will clean with no damage.
Good Luck,
Rick

[Bazoo]

Conditor22. Thanks for that glue bullet trick. I'll retain that info.

[blackthorn]

So place the container on the lid of the tumbler?

Totally off topic: your name wouldn’t happen to be a reference to the stormlight chronicles would it?


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All I did was place the container against (in contact with) the side of my vibratory case cleaner.

My screen name is simply based on the Blackthorn tree, used by the Irish (which I am not) to make objects for attitude adjustment, after they were denied other forms of personal protective equipment.

[Bantou]

All I did was place the container against (in contact with) the side of my vibratory case cleaner.

My screen name is simply based on the Blackthorn tree, used by the Irish (which I am not) to make objects for attitude adjustment, after they were denied other forms of personal protective equipment.

That was what I came up with based on a little experimentation last night. Giving it a go now with some home made sonic solution (2 parts water, 1 part water, some dawn, and a pinch of lemi shine)


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[Bantou]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200228/ae878e49784ad167d467dc5d1235bde2.jpg


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[Dragonheart]

I would not recommend putting aluminum in an ultrasonic cleaner, other metals are OK.

[Bantou]

I would not recommend putting aluminum in an ultrasonic cleaner, other metals are OK.

Yeah... learned that lesson the hard way. I have two molds that have to be tapped on the bottom to achieve good lock-up.


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[Bazoo]

Most of the old style lee moulds I've run across need a tap on the bottom to get them closed.

[Bantou]

Most of the old style lee moulds I've run across need a tap on the bottom to get them closed.

These didn’t before I cleaned them so I’m assuming the cleaning caused the pin holes to widen.


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