Hey reloaders, which is best for cleaning up brass. Tumblers or shakers ? Which media is better corn husk or walnut shells ?
I have used both, I presently have 3 vibrator cleaners, one RCBS and two Dillons. I prefer the vibrator machines, I think they clean faster than the tumblers. Both work very well. I use ground walnut hulls for cleaning and polishing, and instead of buying tumbler media, I go to the larger pet stores and buy lizard bedding. It is ground walnut hulls and comes in a largee bag, about 5 gallons worth. It is small enough diameter to not cause problems with 223 brass and works as well as any other. When it starts to get dusty and doesn't clean as well, I pour in a small amount of mineral spirits (low odor paint thinner). This renews the cleaning and polishing action and makes the media last about 5 times as long as not doing it. I also will occasionally squirt in a small amoount of liquid car polish. Doesn't really matter what brand I have used, it all seems to make the brass very bright and polished.
Mitch over at J&K Bullet Casters does large quantities of brass and uses a cement mixer as his tumbler. His stuff looks as good as any that I do with a vibrator cleaner. Good luck.. Blitzfike
Mitch over at J&K Bullet Casters does large quantities of brass and uses a cement mixer as his tumbler. His stuff looks as good as any that I do with a vibrator cleaner. Good luck.. Blitzfike
HEY, Blitz thanks for the information. I just started reloading and your info is great. My dad said he wish he had a shaker instead of his tumbler. About how much car polish, and how often do i need to refresh the media?
I use a vibrator cleaner. I can't recall the brand. Its from the orange manufacturer. Is that Lyman? You can buy bulk tumbling media here. http://www.andersonsalesinc.com/contact.html. It's super cheap like $20/50lb bag. Red Neck Tactical recommended that I use mineral spirits and Nu Car Polish in the orange bottle. About a cap full or two of each will have you all shined up. The longer it tumbles the shinier it gets. I tumble post loading to to make it look like new.
Thanks i will try nu polish, and i think i will go with a shaker.......
I have the Dillon CV750 and it works great. I use crushed corn cob for the first pass, and then crushed walnut shells on the second pass.
I guess everyone has their own special posion. I do think that brass loads better when cleaned, my dad says no, it just makes it look pretty.
I have a tumbler and my son uses a shaker..It seems the shaker works faster but they both do a good job..Jesse, common sense tells me your Dad is right but my heart tells me you're right.......I know I sure like the shinny stuff..
Has anyone seen or used the new ultrasonic case cleaners? My old Vibra-Tek finally bit the dust and I am in the market for a new case cleaner. Dongs in Tulsa has some of the Hornady cleaners for $99.
Hey, shop around dongs is the highest place in United stated on everything..........no kidding. Just ask any shooter here.
