Tumble or Vibrate?

[Iggy]

Now before someone yells at me saying you should use SS media or ultrasound. I have both. I use SS media to clean all my brass.

Now, after they are clean I resize and with a rag I clean off all the lube. This is fine for 50 or less .308 cases, but last night I did 200 and it was not fun.

I was looking for a cheap tumbler with some simple media to clean the lube off the cases. I wanted to keep it under $50. I found these two at HF:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-rotary-rock-tumbler-67631.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html

Would any one be better than the other? What media recommendations do you have as well?

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

Just for cleaning lube off I think I'd go with the vibrator type with crushed walnut media the fine the better. The finer the media the less it will hang up in the primer pockets. When I have media in the primer pockets I just pop them in the palm of my hand and most always it clears itself. Or you could use canned air.

 

[SPAK]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I used to tumble the lube off my brass... Now I just use a microfiber cloth and wipe off the imperial. I was a bit skeptical at first but it does a really good job getting the lube off and I don't have to worry about the time it takes to tumble or media getting stuck in the flash hole.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I have and use both to clean off media. They both are about the same as far as effectiveness. I would go with whichever one was larger and could fit more cases. I use a small walnut media that won't clog the flash holes.

 

[Iggy]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

Will any microfiber work? I figured I could tumble 50 while I resize another 50. I was told it only takes about 10 min to take off the lube?

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I have had great luck with Dillon tumblers. Try to Ebay one. I have owned up to 4 at one time. 2 large and 2 small ones. I have downsized since then, as I have 2 small ones. I have one set up with corn cob for removing Imperial sizing die wax. It usually takes an hour or so. I do add the Dillon media additive once in a while. I just like my brass to be gleeming. I shoot a bunch of semi auto's and feel it will chamber easier, wheather is does or doesn't it just makes me feel better. JPG

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I use the one in your second link.

 

[SPAK]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

Honestly, I'm really not sure, but the cheepo microfiber rags my wife bought in bulk from costco work great. The tumbler only takes about 10-15 min to get the lube off...But I always found myself wiping down the cases and brushing out the necks again to get any residue off the outside and the inside.....

So instead of tumbling and wiping again...I just wipe with the microfiber cloth.

 

[Super Bee 950]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

To clean off the lube. I lay the brass on a paper towel, and spray with brake cleaner. Then put another paper towel on top and roll the brass a few times back and forth. All you have to do is get the brass wet. It doesnt take a lot of cleaner, and its a VERY fast way of getting the lube off.

After that I load them, and do a final tumble after they are loaded.

I process 300-500 pieces a brass with each batch, so its a time saver. The media lasts a lot longer as well since the majority of the lube gets thrown away with the paper towel.

 

[SPAK]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I've done the brake cleaner too...It does work well but I found myself having to clean it out of the primer pockets when it didn't dry all the way.. it might also be the brand of brake cleaner I used..Dunno...seemed like it should have dried on it's own but it didn't...

 

[Deisel]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I use Imperial and it is a wax, not an oil so it just wipes off with a rag unlike an oil based case lube. I also use a micro fiber cloth and they clean right up.

 

[Headgear]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I use Dillon liquid lube, FL size and then throw them in a vibratory with corn cob media. Then I just check the flash holes and once in awhile have to clear one with a paper clip. I use a Dillon separator and it seems to do a pretty good job of getting all of the media out. This is a heck of a lot easier than wiping them off and I can be doing something else in the meantime. I really need to get the stainless media and tumbler, it sounds like the cats ass.

 

[knifenix]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

+1 headgear. I use the very same process and have no problems.

 

[Iggy]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I'm looking at getting this one now.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=450403

it looks like it can empty while it's still on to separate media and cases.

 

[fncannon]

Re: Tumble or Vibrate?

I only clean the lube off after they're loaded. A brief time in plain walnut with a bit of mineral spirits does the job. Initial brass cleaning is with SS in the Thumler.