I dislike Waiting for the Tumbler.

[358429]

I would otherwise take a picture and show you these 357 mag brass all carboned up, filling this wheel bearing box.

That would involve getting a headache If you saw the picture...
So instead let's skip that.

I use liquid dish soap and hot water with 5 pounds of (guessing mass I haven't weighed the amount[emoji3]) stainless pins- usually. Today it's just water and soap in the large frankfort.
They are a rolling in that tumbler.
Coincidentally, I also noticed watching the coffee doesn't make it boil faster.

3 hours to go...

The clouds shifted together, boiling and twisting. The sun disappeared into the blackening sky, the temperatures immediately fall.

The small lightning in the clouds is building. I can see the sky is electric.

Small droplets fall and they are gone. Suddenly the sky erupts with thunderous powerful lightning and sheets of water.

There goes my opportunity to cast tonight[emoji1787]

Be safe




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[nhyrum]

If I'm ancy, I'll just tumble with stainless chips for about 45 minute, making sure I use the hottest water I can. None of my loads are terribly sooty though. Sure, they don't come out all bright and shiny like I'd like, but they still go bang just the same

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[jim147]

I still use corncob. I turn it on when going to work or going to bed. I never wait for it.

[slim1836]

I still use corncob. I turn it on when going to work or going to bed. I never wait for it.

You'll quit doing that once the nut backs out from the top of the lid and media goes everywhere.

Slim

[358429]

The tumbling is finished and the soap is rinsed. Interestingly enough the casings turn mouth up when I see-saw the hardware cloth basket.
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[jim147]

Hasn't happened after twenty some years. A proper rubber washer under the wing nut keeps me from being a wing nut. I even shot the thing once when a oppossum was trying to get into it to eat the corn cob. I hit the base not the tub. It bounced off the concrete after taking care of the big yard rat.


I have had them knock over the five gallon bucket I dump,them in after straining it. That makes a mess. I had the door open.

[358429]

Must be slim pickins' for an opposum, he tried eating corn cob media!

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[Baltimoreed]

Usually after my monthly match when I get home I’ll clean things up and put the guns and leather away, sort out my brass and shotgun hulls [they all go in my -for mtys- range bag] and put them in my walnut or corncob tumbler. I set the noisy thing in the gazebo on the deck and forget it until 3-4 hrs later. Next day I’ll separate the brass from the media, sort brass by caliber and put them in their appropriate jugs. That gives me a month to reload ‘em for the next shoot. Why in heavens name would you wait for brass to get cleaned? You might wait for the mailman to deliver 250 pcs of brass from starline thats been backordered for 3 months and is due today or a call from your local ffl guy that your 1917 Remington has arrived but I’d never wait for brass to tumble.

[Mk42gunner]

Nah, Possums will eat just about anything.

I haven't made the switch to wet tumbling yet. It took me over twenty years to even buy a tumbler. I don't want shiny, but clean cases with little effort are nice.

I use ground English walnut hulls aka lizard bedding from the pet store, as the media in my old Midway 1292 tumbler. Yes it is the one that was supposed to catch fire.

I have one of the Dillon separators, a few turns dumps the media.

Robert

[Sasquatch-1]

I have an old Thumlers that I have been using for about 45 years. Never once had the wing nut that holds the bowl or the lid back off. Even when I let it run over night. Now on the other hand I picked up a couple extra bowls with some stuff I bought a couple years ago. One of them is the nice shiny slick plastic. I use it for powder coating and the nut would back off on that rather quickly. I put a little bit of painter tape around where the nut tightens and that took care of that. Also you can try a jam nut system.

[rondog]

3 hours? I've never ran my F.A.R.T. more than 1 hour, sometimes less. And the brass comes out as good as it can get. Hot water, pins Lemishine and a bit of Dawn or ArmorAll W&W.

[high standard 40]

3 hours? I've never ran my F.A.R.T. more than 1 hour, sometimes less. And the brass comes out as good as it can get. Hot water, pins Lemishine and a bit of Dawn or ArmorAll W&W.

Me too. 90 minutes is the longest I run mine and cases look better than new.

[Conditor22]

What tumbler are you using?
things will speed up if you use 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid or lemi-shine, cut tumbling time down to 1 hour

[358429]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was being a little bit sarcastic about the waiting. I really wanted to cast a bunch of bullets, we had this huge thunderstorm develop early Friday evening, thunder lightning the works , surprised we did not lose power, it dumped buckets of water and with high winds.

I really hope none of y'all was thinking I was sitting there in a chair watching the tumbler turn[emoji848]...

Did some barbecuing and 308 reloading, Priming, powdering, seating and crimping on the back porch Saturday evening. Early on Sunday it rained again, a light to moderate easy rain, nothing severe.

I attached my perfect powder measure to a stump, my buddies was laughing until they saw that I assembled 75 rounds real quick.

Tonight I have started trimming the 357 brass that I took out of the tumbler, trimming them short for a special project. When I'm done I'm going to run them to the tumbler again but this time with pins. I like minty primer pockets and deburred case mouths.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210816/dd0c3e3de94b32dc801463e38f79bc6c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210816/1ac6b990ffd7a1f11d23d22cfd5be785.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210816/86233c39934c8fe26324a1b973e3faac.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210816/26e7de89e42cc6755ba7334464fd891f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210816/4c16721ed3f143cfeb14a3edcc0d1399.jpg

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[358429]

What tumbler are you using?
things will speed up if you use 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid or lemi-shine, cut tumbling time down to 1 hourI'm using the large frankfort wet tumbler.

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[mdi]

Tried wet tumbling, don't see a need. When I want faster cleaning I add about 20% hard resin tumbling media to my corn cob blast media. Speeds up the process but doesn't affect finish. I have a wobbler, but I prefer my rotary (a HF dual drum with custom drums). I'm never in a hurry with any reloading part so I normally fill my tumbler, turn it on and do something else. I bought some maybe 15-20 years ago and it doesn't wear out; https://www.harborfreight.com/520-lb-rust-cutting-resin-abrasive-tumbler-media-63672.html

[fastdadio]

I have a timer on my tumbler. I turn it on, set the time, and walk away. As mentioned above, I add about 30% coarse grain sand blasting media to my walnut media. Works nice.

[jetinteriorguy]

I always wanted to try wet tumbling but the thought of using the pins had no appeal for me. Then I read where people were doing it without pins and tag dah. I use a few drops of Dawn with just a bit of lemishine in the HF tumbler and tumble for an hour and they’re nice and clean. I deprime first and a lot of the primer pockets come clean as well. I also use it to clean off lanolin case lube from rifle cases with just a shot of Dawn. I’m going to try using Armorall wash and wax next to see how well it works.

[FLINTNFIRE]

I have dry tumbled with media , and then started washing with citrus acid and dawn then putting into tumblers , and have since went to rotary tumbler with pins dawn and citrus acid , it does clean nice .

[358429]

How much of a difference does citric acid make in the wet tumbler?

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[r80rt]

I turn it on, go do what ever it is that I do, and turn it off when I come home.

[FLINTNFIRE]

I have not run it without citric acid so can not say , but citric acid by itself shines so the combination with pins and soap should be better

[358429]

Where do you get your citric acid?

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[358429]

I will squeeze lemons into my mouth but not into my tumbler...

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[zymguy]

Where do you get your citric acid?

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i use lemme shine i found at walley world. Ive heard citric acid can be found with canning stuff.

Only downside i see to my fart over the walnut vibratory tumbler is having to be there when its done. brass can sit in media for days. I try to get them out of the fart as soon as they are done. Extended time in solution is rumored to turn them funny colors

[358429]

Is lemi shine with the canning stuff? Every Walmart I've been in, in Northern Virginia the canning stuff is a bunch of glass jars with no lids. I've been going there looking for wax. I find the wax very useful when I'm cleaning wheel weights or any molten lead.

It makes a most glorious flare up if the melt is too hot.

I ended up getting a pound of paraffin at Ace Hardware I also found hardware cloth there, that I use to make trays, for Powder Coating bullets.

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[David2011]

The last citric acid I got was from Amazon or Fleabay; not sure which but the price was very good. Lemi-Shine is a cleaning product commonly used to clean dishwashers so check the kitchen cleaning products area.

For the case polisher I put a timer on mine. The timer is one of those spring wound timers like you see in locker rooms and restrooms. I put it in a steel electrical box and added a shortened 14 gauge extension cord. They come in versions from less than an hour to 24 hours. I also use one on my lead furnace as a safeguard in case I forget to turn it off. I never have but it’s easy to get distracted.

My polisher is an older Dillon upgraded to the CV-750 motor and it almost always does the job in two hours. I just “set in and forget it” in the evening and the brass is ready the next morning. A casting session seldom lasts more than 3 hours including startup time so that timer gets set for 3-4 hours. I’ve been using them for about 10 years with no problems.

[FLINTNFIRE]

Health stores brewing supplies both sell it , amazon , and other online stores , lemi shine is usually in dishwashing soap area .

[Sasquatch-1]

Where do you get your citric acid?

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Amazon. 2 pounds runs between $14.00 to $18.00. Unless you shoot as much as Jerry Miculec 2 pounds should last a long time.

[jetinteriorguy]

[QUOTE=358429;5248077]Is lemi shine with the canning stuff? Every Walmart I've been in, in Northern Virginia the canning stuff is a bunch of glass jars with no lids. I've been going there looking for wax. I find the wax very useful when I'm cleaning wheel weights or any molten lead.

It makes a most glorious flare up if the melt is too hot.

I ended up getting a pound of paraffin at Ace Hardware I also found hardware cloth there, that I use to make trays, for Powder Coating bullets.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk[/QUOT
I get Lemishine at the Wally World in Burke in the canning section.

[afish4570]

I usually use a piece of Duct Tape or good 2" Masking tape about 6" long. Wipe area where tape is to be applied on Thumbler Lid and bowl. One piece at 12 o'clock and other at 6 o'clock. Prevents media messes and is quick cheap cure. afish4570

[nhyrum]

How much of a difference does citric acid make in the wet tumbler?

Sent from my SM-G930T using TapatalkI've found it helps more with hard water. But it does help make the brass all shiny.

I also like using a car wash with wax in it, it helps keep the brass shiny

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[zymguy]

I've found it helps more with hard water. But it does help make the brass all shiny.

I also like using a car wash with wax in it, it helps keep the brass shiny

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Total alkalinity affects how much citric acid to use hardness isn't really relevant. Not trying to pick nits , just a nerd looking to nerd with fellow enthusiasts.

[358429]

Nice.

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[Super Sneaky Steve]

The tumbling is finished and the soap is rinsed. Interestingly enough the casings turn mouth up when I see-saw the hardware cloth basket.


Your brass looks discolored and not shiny. More time in the tumbler means more zinc leached from your brass unless you have the pH just right.

I've used soap and lemi shine as well as the Franklin packets. The Franklin stuff will make it look like pure gold. Worth the extra bucks. An hour is plenty of time. Make sure not to over stuff it. You should see brass moving from the side, not all locked in. An air gap helps too.

[358429]

You're right the brass is discolored.
I think I slightly overheated them on a previous reloading session drying them in the toaster. I do not believe the brass has annealed it still reloads and shoots fine.

I only wanted to rinse them in the soap long enough that when I handle them for depriming trimming chamfering that I don't get the black finger. I was not interested in separating pins that night either. I don't like the black finger from reloading. I don't think I'm ever going to go back to not cleaning the brass. I'm going to go take a picture of how they look now. After that picture I process them and Tumble them again with pins. Then primed expanded charge powder seated and crimped.

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[David2011]

I’ve never wet tumbled. I just use 14/20 corn cob with Nu-Finish and a little mineral spirits. Brass comes out both clean and shiny in 2 hours.

If I purchase tarnished brass like military surplus 5.56, I brighten it with citric acid in water at about 160 degrees F. It works in seconds at that temperature. After drying it in the sun on an old sheet it goes into the tumbler.

[FLINTNFIRE]

I used to wash with citric and tumble , but I will admit the punching primer wash then punch primer then tumble with pins makes a darn nice and clean case

[bangerjim]

Why go to all that trouble of getting bright as new brass? I just use citric acid and hot water and presto....I have decent clean some what shiny brass.

Tarnished brass shoots just as well as shiny brass! Don't waste your time. Or burn your house down like the guy on here did the other day by leaving his tumbler running while gone and the motor caught on fire. Bye bye home and all it's contents........for a few shiny brass casings?

[Scrounge]

You'll quit doing that once the nut backs out from the top of the lid and media goes everywhere.

Slim

Or the motor overheats and burns your house down. As has happened to one of our other members this past week. I've only had my tumbler about a year, and I had let it run unattended a few times. No more. Intelligence is the ability to learn from your own mistakes. Wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others. My shop and house are one. If anything burns, the whole thing is going. SWMBO will be less than pleased. Can't be having that! I wanna live! ;)

[Scrounge]

Amazon. 2 pounds runs between $14.00 to $18.00. Unless you shoot as much as Jerry Miculec 2 pounds should last a long time.

I bought 10 lbs for $25, IIRC, about a year ago. Haven't used it on brass yet. It works great to clean stainless steel tea pots and pans, though. Think maybe I have 3 lbs left.

[FLINTNFIRE]

Why do it one member asks , well pretty is not what most of us are going for , but clean where you do not have the residue on fingers , clean where you never have to do the primer pocket as a whole separate step if you do it or do not as your practice or regimen .

I find it to be as easy or easier , you may not , I do notice a difference when running through a press , and washed and tumbled was o.k. but at times I would notice the less then spotless brass had sizing issues , your mileage may vary , but it works for me how I do it and that is what counts .

Any plugged in appliance can cause or start a fire , your toaster coffee pot fridge any of them , oh just the wires may have a issue or a light fixture , or plug receptacle , light fixtures and switches should probably be replaced at set times .

No I do not leave tumblers running for long periods unattended , if I do I place outside , prefer to dry media tumble for the lead dust primer issue , wet well I run then outside to rinse then decap and tumble wash again rinse outside and dry and done , one last note when washing brass with primers in and drying but waiting some time to process I have had the primer base separate and leave sides in primer pocket when decapping .

[David2011]

The chance of fire is just one of several reasons I have my tumbler and lead furnace on timers. If you want clean primer pockets, the citric acid bath will really soften the powder and primer residue in the pocket if it's decapped. I like shiny brass because it seems to go through dies and the push through sizer more easily as well as being cleaner to handle.

[LenH]

I knock the primers out and soak in very hot water with a little citric acid and a drop or 2 od dish soap. They only soak for 15 or 20 minutes. Rinse with hot water and put on a folded towel to dry
and put them in the corn cob With a little Dillon case polish to finish them off. Maybe an hour. It ain't rocket surgery but clean brass is nice.

BTW citric acid at the Local Wally World is in the canning section, the last I bought was about $5.

[XDROB]

My Frankford Armory wet tumbler has a timer. Haven't used it in awhile but I think it's 2 or 3 hours. My two dry vibratory tumblers do not. I usally run them with a timer in my phone. But when I first started using them I did let them run over night. I learned that I did not have to do that so stopped.

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