Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

[wbeard]

I just bought my first ultrasonic cleaner. I've run about 100 cases of 9mm and 100 30-06 cases and like the results, however doesn't really "Polish" like a tumbler.

That aside, is there any reason I'm not seeing to keep my old tumbler around...I'm thinking I'd like to get rid of it but afraid that as soon as I do I'll discover the need I didn't see.

 

[Radar360]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I'm considering getting a sonic too and wondered about the tumbler once I get the sonic cleaner. What I'm thinking of doing is keeping both. First run it via the tumbler, than de-prime and run in the sonic and clean out any media inside the casings.

I don't know what the best protocol is, but that is what I'm currently thinking until I hear another process is best.

 

[plh]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I don't have a tumbler and don't feel deprived.

 

[BittenbytheBug]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

EVery one has an opinion on what serves best - I tried the ultrasonic cleaning method(s)...name a flavor, ie from 6mm BR to others - I was never satisfied with the time involved or the multiple steps, or the "single" one size fits all methods. I've switched to stainless and tumbling -

 

[dvdt]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I'd keep your tumbler around. I use SS media and a thumbler but use my 'old' vibrating tumbler to clean lube off after resizing (imperial).

If you have the space, I'd keep it in the closet or stashed somewhere and write the date on it. If you don't use it in a 'season' of shooting or a year, I'd give it to a friend.

 

[command450]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I am thinking of getting one.
then just tumbling for polish afterwards.
do you still have to clean the primer pocket?

sounds like they clean really well,just gotta let em dry.......

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I have both. Small mechanical parts get cleaned in the hummer, not my cases. My cases go into the vib. tumbler just to be cleaned so they go in without polish; I got over enchantment with glittery cases long ago.

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I use both.

First I will decap then run the brass in the ultra-sonic cleaner. It does a nice job of cleaning the carbon out of the case and out of the primer pocket. After case prep and resizing I will run the brass in my tumbler for an hour or two to shine it up (mostly because I like shiny things) before setting the primer, charging and seating the bullet.

Since the brass is mostly clean before I tumble the brass it does not take very long and the media lasts forever. In reality I don't think I need to tumble it but I'm still enchanted by glittery cases.

 

[dinosdeuce]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I de-prime, tumble, anneal, lube shoulder bump, neck size. Then put the cases in the ultra sonic to take off the lube. In the oven to dry. Would like to eventually use SS media method.

Dino

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dstewart51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use both.

First I will decap then run the brass in the ultra-sonic cleaner. It does a nice job of cleaning the carbon out of the case and out of the primer pocket. After case prep and resizing I will run the brass in my tumbler for an hour or two to shine it up (mostly because I like shiny things) before setting the primer, charging and seating the bullet.

Since the brass is mostly clean before I tumble the brass it does not take very long and the media lasts forever. In reality I don't think I need to tumble it but I'm still enchanted by glittery cases. </div></div>

This is my method also. But I tumble to get any lube off more than for looks,
but I do like shiny brass.

 

[ChaosKid]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigwheeler</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dstewart51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use both.

First I will decap then run the brass in the ultra-sonic cleaner. It does a nice job of cleaning the carbon out of the case and out of the primer pocket. After case prep and resizing I will run the brass in my tumbler for an hour or two to shine it up (mostly because I like shiny things) before setting the primer, charging and seating the bullet.

Since the brass is mostly clean before I tumble the brass it does not take very long and the media lasts forever. In reality I don't think I need to tumble it but I'm still enchanted by glittery cases. </div></div>

This is my method also. But I tumble to get any lube off more than for looks,
but I do like shiny brass. </div></div>

I'm in this camp too. I like the cases shiny and dry before priming, charging and seating.

 

[wbeard]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I'm confused.... My de-primer is integral to the resizing die so there is no option to de-prime a necked case before cleaning. Also, seems if you tumble as the last step then you still deal with all of the problems of tumbling such as getting media stuck in the flash holes and having media residue inside the case.

I have an old lyman vibrating tumbler and I just use lyman red media...should I be using something different?

Maybe tumble, deprime/resize, ultrasonic? or maybe different media?

 

[jmorris]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

I use SS wet first, then post load tumble in corncobb for a few minutes to knock off the lube.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

Many of us use the 10.00 lee universal decapping die. It saves your dies from
ever having a dirty case run through and scratching them. Get a media separator and use walnut media with around .010 to .015 size. No more stuck
media. I hate the "infused medias" like lyman red and green. They are messy.
I put in a little frankford arsenal polish or similar, (no ammoniated brass polishers like brasso) into clean walnut. The walnut lasts forever, needs washing
every summer if I shoot heavy.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wbeard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm confused.... My de-primer is integral to the resizing die so there is no option to de-prime a necked case before cleaning. Also, seems if you tumble as the last step then you still deal with all of the problems of tumbling such as getting media stuck in the flash holes and having media residue inside the case.

I have an old lyman vibrating tumbler and I just use lyman red media...should I be using something different?

Maybe tumble, deprime/resize, ultrasonic? or maybe different media? </div></div>

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaner...any need for tumbler?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wbeard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm confused.... My de-primer is integral to the resizing die so there is no option to de-prime a necked case before cleaning. Also, seems if you tumble as the last step then you still deal with all of the problems of tumbling such as getting media stuck in the flash holes and having media residue inside the case.

I have an old lyman vibrating tumbler and I just use lyman red media...should I be using something different?

Maybe tumble, deprime/resize, ultrasonic? or maybe different media? </div></div>

Like bigwheeler said, you can use a universal decapping die (mine is a Hornady) before cleaning or running your brass though your sizing dies. I leave the decapping pin in my sizing dies anyway, just in case there is a piece of media that got stuck in the flash hole and I didn't catch it.