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Posted: 3/28/2013 10:04:21 PM EDT
[#1]
Originally Posted By John87: Well yesterday my Food Dehydrator from HF and my 5lbs of SS pins from Midway showed up, and today my Tumbler from HF showed up. I ran a VERY small batch of shells, about 15 .357mag and 25 .223 in one of the drums to test out. Added Lemi Shine and 2 seconds of Dawn, and tumbled for 3-ish hours. They are not the cleanest, but again it was a test run. I was just happy to see bling, clean primer pockets, and clean inside of the shells!  HOLY CRAP was that water dirty! I was a little paranoid about having the element in the food dehydrator being exposed to possible water, so I wrapped the bottom tier of the unit in foil. Forgive the pictures, taken on my cell phone with poor lighting. http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/sibirty/gun%20stuff/dehydrator_zps7a924f9b.jpg I am already unsatisfied with these dingy tubes, and soon I will start to source some large PVC, because I cannot leave well enough alone  http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/sibirty/gun%20stuff/wettumbler_zps1b622670.jpg  After separating pins from cases, rinse in cold water, then dry outside of the cases with a towel. Once outside of case if free of water, put them in dehydrator to dry. If you don't, cases will dry with spots on them. Cases should not be dripping any water when put into a drying cycle.
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Posted: 3/28/2013 10:11:20 PM EDT
[#2]
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
Originally Posted By John87:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Wet%20Tumbling/P1200450.jpgWell yesterday my Food Dehydrator from HF and my 5lbs of SS pins from Midway showed up, and today my Tumbler from HF showed up. I ran a VERY small batch of shells, about 15 .357mag and 25 .223 in one of the drums to test out. Added Lemi Shine and 2 seconds of Dawn, and tumbled for 3-ish hours. They are not the cleanest, but again it was a test run. I was just happy to see bling, clean primer pockets, and clean inside of the shells!
HOLY CRAP was that water dirty! I was a little paranoid about having the element in the food dehydrator being exposed to possible water, so I wrapped the bottom tier of the unit in foil. Forgive the pictures, taken on my cell phone with poor lighting. http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/sibirty/gun%20stuff/dehydrator_zps7a924f9b.jpg I am already unsatisfied with these dingy tubes, and soon I will start to source some large PVC, because I cannot leave well enough alone
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/sibirty/gun%20stuff/wettumbler_zps1b622670.jpg After separating pins from cases, rinse in cold water, then dry outside of the cases with a towel. Once outside of case if free of water, put them in dehydrator to dry. If you don't, cases will dry with spots on them. Cases should not be dripping any water when put into a drying cycle.
I hit them lightly with a towel and shook them out pretty good. I just put in a second batch, using both tubes. This batch I am going to let run overnight. |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 10:39:54 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks a lot guys, I'm buying a damn tumbler tomorrow
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Posted: 3/28/2013 11:11:13 PM EDT
[#4]
Originally Posted By easttxshooter:
Thanks a lot guys, I'm buying a damn tumbler tomorrow You'll never regret it. |
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IL, USA
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Posted: 3/28/2013 11:17:55 PM EDT
[#5]
Awesome thread
Harbor Freight: Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler ITEM #:67632 $49.99 Discount (22478559) -$10.00 Replacement Belt For The Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler ITEM #:93835 $2.99 5 Tier Food Dehydrator ITEM #:66906 $24.99 SUBTOTAL$67.97 SHIPPING & HANDLING (STANDARD GROUND)$6.99 GRAND TOTAL $74.96 http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com Touch-Up Pins (Refresher Kit SS Media) (2lbs) Regular Price: $24.95 SPECIAL PRICE: $19.95 Subtotal$19.95 Shipping & Handling (USPS Flat Rate Box - Domestic Small Flat Rate)$6.85 Grand Total$26.80 Total $101.76 |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 11:19:08 PM EDT
[#6]
nice, less than what I spent!
Originally Posted By full_metal_jacket:
Awesome thread Harbor Freight: Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler ITEM #:67632 $49.99 Discount (22478559) -$10.00 Replacement Belt For The Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler ITEM #:93835 $2.99 5 Tier Food Dehydrator ITEM #:66906 $24.99 SUBTOTAL$67.97 SHIPPING & HANDLING (STANDARD GROUND)$6.99 GRAND TOTAL $74.96 http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com Touch-Up Pins (Refresher Kit SS Media) (2lbs) Regular Price: $24.95 SPECIAL PRICE: $19.95 Subtotal$19.95 Shipping & Handling (USPS Flat Rate Box - Domestic Small Flat Rate)$6.85 Grand Total$26.80 Total $101.76 |
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Posted: 3/29/2013 4:27:35 PM EDT
[#7]
my eyes, they burn!
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IL, USA
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Posted: 3/29/2013 9:52:45 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Col_Cotton_Hill]
[#8]
So I just did a small batch in each drum. One turned out with a lot more Orange color to it. I'm thinking I had to much Lemi-Shine. But I'm not sure.
Have any of you guy's had similar result's with the color's being different. Any thought's. Thanks 
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Posted: 3/29/2013 11:02:52 PM EDT
[#9]
The alloys in different headstamps will cause the color to be a little different.
Sort the headstamps, bet the color will be consistent within headstamp. No worries. Nice bling guys.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/30/2013 12:06:27 AM EDT
[#10]
damn u guys, went to HF to get a tumbler today
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IL, USA
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Posted: 3/30/2013 1:02:36 AM EDT
[#11]
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
The alloys in different headstamps will cause the color to be a little different. Sort the headstamps, bet the color will be consistent within headstamp. No worries. Nice bling guys. These are all the same headstamp. LC-12. I've wet tumbled these same ones before and they did not turn out with the orange color. I think it's from too much Lemi-Shine. |
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Posted: 3/30/2013 1:22:28 AM EDT
[#12]
Originally Posted By deuc224:
damn u guys, went to HF to get a tumbler today time for me to call my stock broker and tell him to SELL SELL SELL my HF stocks
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IL, USA
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Posted: 4/6/2013 4:13:45 PM EDT
[Last Edit: full_metal_jacket]
[#13]
So the tumbler works great
So after doing my first batch I decided I needed something different for a separator since I used a bucket and a colander for dry media I was looking up all the separators and thought I can make something like that so this is what I came up with, last one is a video (click on it to watch it) 
Its the ends off of a wire spool with cpvc pipe for the center and handle, and some wire fence from menards. The fence was $5 and the tub was $5 And I also got the $24.99 dehydrator from Harbor Freight and noticed it just heats up, I have a good dehydrator for making jerky and it has a fan to circulate air so I added a fan to this one. The fan is a computer fan with a AC adapter that was laying around that was from something that I don't have anymore 
And this post is not complete without some bling 
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Posted: 4/10/2013 3:13:48 PM EDT
[#14]
Why did you cut the "L" shape in the plastic tub while making your separator? You could have just cut straight down. It would work just as well, and the tub's strength wouldn't have really been impacted.
AV1611 Originally Posted By full_metal_jacket: So the tumbler works great So after doing my first batch I decided I needed something different for a separator since I used a bucket and a colander for dry media I was looking up all the separators and thought I can make something like that so this is what I came up with, last one is a video (click on it to watch it) http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/CAM00023.jpg http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/CAM00024.jpg http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/th_CAM00016.jpg Its the ends off of a wire spool with cpvc pipe for the center and handle, and some wire fence from menards. The fence was $5 and the tub was $5 And I also got the $24.99 dehydrator from Harbor Freight and noticed it just heats up, I have a good dehydrator for making jerky and it has a fan to circulate air so I added a fan to this one. The fan is a computer fan with a AC adapter that was laying around that was from something that I don't have anymore http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/CAM00018.jpg http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/CAM00019.jpg http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/CAM00022.jpg And this post is not complete without some bling http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/ryan20021982/CAM00026.jpg |
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IL, USA
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Posted: 4/10/2013 3:56:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: full_metal_jacket]
[#15]
Originally Posted By AV1611:
Why did you cut the "L" shape in the plastic tub while making your separator? You could have just cut straight down. It would work just as well, and the tub's strength wouldn't have really been impacted. The tub is fine this way, I did this so I could still put the lid on it and spin it without getting water all over, the latches for the lid are in the center so if I would have cut straight down they would have been gone. |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 4/17/2013 9:05:09 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Optimal65G]
[#16]
Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
What do you guy's think about using the larger pin's that the guy in the EE is selling. I know I do get a lot of double's stuck in my primer pocket's. Have any of tried them. Do they work just as well. I bought some of these. I don't like the little pins since they float a bit. Ive only had one of the larger pins get stuck and it was stuck in the bottom of the case, sideways across the flash hole. This was probably an odd length pin since it has only happened the once. |
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LA, USA
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Posted: 4/24/2013 3:34:05 PM EDT
[#17]
so i finally got off my butt and tumbled some brass today. the cases came out great! Please excuse my mediocre photography skills.
I did find out that i need a new strainer. I had to pick up and dump the pins out of about half of the cases. I do have a few questions. Can i store this cleaned brass in an open container in my reloading room? I'm having a hard time finding primers, bullets, and powder right now. I want to continue cleaning cases so that when i do find some components I'll have plenty of cases to load. Also, does anybody know off the top of their head how many 10mm cases equals 1 pound? friend of mine wants to clean some of his brass in my tumbler. |
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Posted: 4/24/2013 3:51:28 PM EDT
[#18]
Originally Posted By Logan45:
so i finally got off my butt and tumbled some brass today. the cases came out great! Please excuse my mediocre photography skills. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/newaccordguy/HPIM1384_zps5d824454.jpg I did find out that i need a new strainer. I had to pick up and dump the pins out of about half of the cases. I do have a few questions. Can i store this cleaned brass in an open container in my reloading room? I'm having a hard time finding primers, bullets, and powder right now. I want to continue cleaning cases so that when i do find some components I'll have plenty of cases to load. Also, does anybody know off the top of their head how many 10mm cases equals 1 pound? friend of mine wants to clean some of his brass in my tumbler. I've found that if you keep the cases submerged when rinsing, the pins flow away from the cases. If you just run water over them the pins stick to the cases from surface tension. I use a media separator, and fill the bucket so that the squirrel cage is half submerged. A few spins and all of the pins are out. I imagine you could do the same with a strainer by swirling it around in a bucket of water until the pins fall out of the cases. You can store your brass in an open container. I don't keep mine in airtight ones and they still look nice and shiny after months. I have several empty licorice tubs from Costco that I use among other empty food containers. It is nice to have something with a lid of some sort to keep dust and cat hair out of the brass though. |
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Posted: 4/24/2013 4:15:44 PM EDT
[#19]
Originally Posted By Logan45:
so i finally got off my butt and tumbled some brass today. the cases came out great! Please excuse my mediocre photography skills. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/newaccordguy/HPIM1384_zps5d824454.jpg I did find out that i need a new strainer. I had to pick up and dump the pins out of about half of the cases. I do have a few questions. Can i store this cleaned brass in an open container in my reloading room? I'm having a hard time finding primers, bullets, and powder right now. I want to continue cleaning cases so that when i do find some components I'll have plenty of cases to load. Also, does anybody know off the top of their head how many 10mm cases equals 1 pound? friend of mine wants to clean some of his brass in my tumbler. 1k 10mm cases equals about 10.5lbs so 100 cases equals about 1.05 lbs |
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Posted: 4/24/2013 4:34:37 PM EDT
[Last Edit: _DR]
[#20]
I have the double tumbler. I wish they made a single long canister that would fit the machine, the two little canisters are a pain in the ass. Can't put much brass in them.
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LA, USA
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Posted: 4/24/2013 4:36:01 PM EDT
[#21]
thanks for the information gentlemen.
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Posted: 4/24/2013 4:42:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: _DR]
[#22]
Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
So I just did a small batch in each drum. One turned out with a lot more Orange color to it. I'm thinking I had to much Lemi-Shine. But I'm not sure. Have any of you guy's had similar result's with the color's being different. Any thought's. Thanks http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Col_Cotton_Hill/reloading%20stuff/wettumbler017_zps45229f17.jpg I read where the orange coppery color is a result of too much Dawn/liquid soap. I have a batch of .300 blackout brass that turned out all coppery when I added too much dawn. Now I just add a little simple green and lemishine with the water, and the brass turns out golden like it should. That water gets dirty as crap. |
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Posted: 4/24/2013 5:24:27 PM EDT
[#23]
Originally Posted By _DR:
Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
So I just did a small batch in each drum. One turned out with a lot more Orange color to it. I'm thinking I had to much Lemi-Shine. But I'm not sure. Have any of you guy's had similar result's with the color's being different. Any thought's. Thanks http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Col_Cotton_Hill/reloading%20stuff/wettumbler017_zps45229f17.jpg I read where the orange coppery color is a result of too much Dawn/liquid soap. I have a batch of .300 blackout brass that turned out all coppery when I added too much dawn. Now I just add a little simple green and lemishine with the water, and the brass turns out golden like it should. That water gets dirty as crap. I've found that too much Lemishine will make the brass coppery. I even did a little experiment on it. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/397449_For_you_wet_tumblers__The_effects_of_too_much_Lemishine.html |
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Posted: 4/24/2013 5:46:00 PM EDT
[#24]
Originally Posted By redoubt:
Originally Posted By _DR:
Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
So I just did a small batch in each drum. One turned out with a lot more Orange color to it. I'm thinking I had to much Lemi-Shine. But I'm not sure. Have any of you guy's had similar result's with the color's being different. Any thought's. Thanks http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Col_Cotton_Hill/reloading%20stuff/wettumbler017_zps45229f17.jpg I read where the orange coppery color is a result of too much Dawn/liquid soap. I have a batch of .300 blackout brass that turned out all coppery when I added too much dawn. Now I just add a little simple green and lemishine with the water, and the brass turns out golden like it should. That water gets dirty as crap. I've found that too much Lemishine will make the brass coppery. I even did a little experiment on it. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/397449_For_you_wet_tumblers__The_effects_of_too_much_Lemishine.html Wow, sure does. I might have put in too much lemishine too. I guess I need to start measuring. |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 4/24/2013 10:17:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: wantone]
[#25]
A word of warning/caution... keep the motors cool!
I have these Harbor Freight tumblers, a single and a double and it didn't take long before I upgraded to the Thumler's single and double. The "problem" is that when the motor heats up, with the belt putting pressure on the inboard side of the fibered plastic motor mount, that piece actually gets soft and "melts" causing the motor to shift position under the tension of the belt which in turn causes the belt to slip and the drum to stop turning. A call to the distributor(it's been a year ago now) with the part number from the manual and I was told that part is unavailable. I ended up going to a hobby store and buying small washers and hollow alluminim tubing with diameter just large enough for the mounting screws to go through and made my own motor "standoffs". Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
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Posted: 4/25/2013 11:22:06 AM EDT
[Last Edit: _DR]
[#26]
Originally Posted By wantone:
A word of warning/caution... keep the motors cool! I have these Harbor Freight tumblers, a single and a double and it didn't take long before I upgraded to the Thumler's single and double. The "problem" is that when the motor heats up, with the belt putting pressure on the inboard side of the fibered plastic motor mount, that piece actually gets soft and "melts" causing the motor to shift position under the tension of the belt which in turn causes the belt to slip and the drum to stop turning. A call to the distributor(it's been a year ago now) with the part number from the manual and I was told that part is unavailable. I ended up going to a hobby store and buying small washers and hollow alluminim tubing with diameter just large enough for the mounting screws to go through and made my own motor "standoffs". Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Col_Cotton_Hill/reloading%20stuff/wettumbler002_zpsaa9450e0.jpg Yeah, the quality on these things is about what you'd expect for less than $50. I can already see upgrading just to be able to do more than a handful of brass at a time. got my eye on this one. Heard it was ideal for brass tumbling and very quiet. $130 isn't bad either for a quality unit like this. http://www.hobbywarehouse.com/Thumlers-Tumblers-Model-A-R6-Rock-Tumbler?sc=75&category=826108 |
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Posted: 4/25/2013 3:21:57 PM EDT
[#27]
Originally Posted By _DR:
Originally Posted By wantone:
A word of warning/caution... keep the motors cool! I have these Harbor Freight tumblers, a single and a double and it didn't take long before I upgraded to the Thumler's single and double. The "problem" is that when the motor heats up, with the belt putting pressure on the inboard side of the fibered plastic motor mount, that piece actually gets soft and "melts" causing the motor to shift position under the tension of the belt which in turn causes the belt to slip and the drum to stop turning. A call to the distributor(it's been a year ago now) with the part number from the manual and I was told that part is unavailable. I ended up going to a hobby store and buying small washers and hollow alluminim tubing with diameter just large enough for the mounting screws to go through and made my own motor "standoffs". Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Col_Cotton_Hill/reloading%20stuff/wettumbler002_zpsaa9450e0.jpg Yeah, the quality on these things is about what you'd expect for less than $50. I can already see upgrading just to be able to do more than a handful of brass at a time. got my eye on this one. Heard it was ideal for brass tumbling and very quiet. $130 isn't bad either for a quality unit like this. http://www.hobbywarehouse.com/Thumlers-Tumblers-Model-A-R6-Rock-Tumbler?sc=75&category=826108 Isn't the thumler above still a 3# weight limit? |
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Posted: 4/25/2013 7:35:12 PM EDT
[#28]
Originally Posted By zlman:
Isn't the thumler above still a 3# weight limit? Probably less. The Thumlers "B" is a 15lb capacity tumbler and you only net about 2 lbs of brass capacity, after water and media. The one above is only a 9lb capacity and it's $130. I run 2 lbs of brass, 1lb per drum, in my $40 HF tumbler. (1lb of brass, 1/2 lb of pins, just enough water to cover the brass.) I could buy 3 HF tumblers for that price and do 6lbs at a time. |
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Posted: 4/25/2013 9:31:07 PM EDT
[#29]
Originally Posted By redoubt:
Originally Posted By zlman:
Isn't the thumler above still a 3# weight limit? Probably less. The Thumlers "B" is a 15lb capacity tumbler and you only net about 2 lbs of brass capacity, after water and media. The one above is only a 9lb capacity and it's $130. I run 2 lbs of brass, 1lb per drum, in my $40 HF tumbler. (1lb of brass, 1/2 lb of pins, just enough water to cover the brass.) I could buy 3 HF tumblers for that price and do 6lbs at a time. I use 1# brass, 1# ss, Just cover with enough water to reach the top of the pile. |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2013 1:14:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Optimal65G]
[#30]
I've noticed that if you run them for too much time, like overnight, mine look either really dull or pink. Would be great if you wanted some low shine tacticool brass or some valentines day brass. I get a lot of LC range pickup that is from the 70's-90's so it is very black. I have varied results with it but starting to realize that if I run them for 1-2 hours then change the water and run less time between changes as you go they come out they way you want them more often. I was doing 4hrs > check > 4hrs >check but that is where I was getting random results. I also have found that less soap works better for me. I just did some LC90 for 1hr, 40m and 30m, and all of them were the correct color and were clean. They weren't blinding but they're clean enough. As others have posted the water just to the level of brass seems to work better too for me instead of almost to the top of the cans. I also haven't worried about brass weight. I have filled both of them almost full and not had issues with overheating or belt slipping yet. The primer pockets seem to get cleaner with less brass though.
I thought about keeping a picture log of time, how bad the brass is, how much soap/lemi but haven't started that yet. If I do I'll post my results. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2013 1:59:33 PM EDT
[#31]
I ran my model B for 6 hours last night on 165 lc 7.62 cases and they are cleaner and brighter than anything I've ever tumbled before. I used one 9mm case of lemishine and one squirt if hand soap.
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Posted: 4/27/2013 5:59:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: _DR]
[#32]
Originally Posted By zlman:
Originally Posted By _DR:
Originally Posted By wantone:
A word of warning/caution... keep the motors cool! I have these Harbor Freight tumblers, a single and a double and it didn't take long before I upgraded to the Thumler's single and double. The "problem" is that when the motor heats up, with the belt putting pressure on the inboard side of the fibered plastic motor mount, that piece actually gets soft and "melts" causing the motor to shift position under the tension of the belt which in turn causes the belt to slip and the drum to stop turning. A call to the distributor(it's been a year ago now) with the part number from the manual and I was told that part is unavailable. I ended up going to a hobby store and buying small washers and hollow alluminim tubing with diameter just large enough for the mounting screws to go through and made my own motor "standoffs". Originally Posted By Col_Cotton_Hill:
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Col_Cotton_Hill/reloading%20stuff/wettumbler002_zpsaa9450e0.jpg Yeah, the quality on these things is about what you'd expect for less than $50. I can already see upgrading just to be able to do more than a handful of brass at a time. got my eye on this one. Heard it was ideal for brass tumbling and very quiet. $130 isn't bad either for a quality unit like this. http://www.hobbywarehouse.com/Thumlers-Tumblers-Model-A-R6-Rock-Tumbler?sc=75&category=826108 Isn't the thumler above still a 3# weight limit? That's a lot more than I can realistically do with the harbor freight one. |
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Posted: 4/27/2013 6:50:16 PM EDT
[#33]
Ok I'm in, I picked up the HF tumbler today.
Now I need pins |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2013 7:30:50 PM EDT
[#34]
I use the harbor freight one with 2 drums. Long squirt of soap and a sprinkle of lemi shine.
Run time anywhere From 2 hours to over night "6 hours" always looks great and shiny. 2 cups of 45acp and 2 cups of hot water. No ss pins for pistol brass. . . |
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Posted: 4/27/2013 11:04:36 PM EDT
[#35]
Originally Posted By faldoc: I ran my model B for 6 hours last night on 165 lc 7.62 cases and they are cleaner and brighter than anything I've ever tumbled before. I used one 9mm case of lemishine and one squirt if hand soap. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/344832_Wet_tumbling_with_SS_media__lots_of_pics__New_info_second_post_1_18_2012_.html Here is the wet tumbling thread for Model B tumbler. This thread is for the Harbor Freight tumbler. Use a 45 acp case full of Lemishine and you only need to tumble for 4 hours.
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NC, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2013 11:43:30 PM EDT
[#36]
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
Originally Posted By faldoc:
I ran my model B for 6 hours last night on 165 lc 7.62 cases and they are cleaner and brighter than anything I've ever tumbled before. I used one 9mm case of lemishine and one squirt if hand soap. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/344832_Wet_tumbling_with_SS_media__lots_of_pics__New_info_second_post_1_18_2012_.html Here is the wet tumbling thread for Model B tumbler. This thread is for the Harbor Freight tumbler. Use a 45 acp case full of Lemishine and you only need to tumble for 4 hours. I was referring to the post above mine about the effects of tumbling over night and how I had just done that with the B as a reference. I started it when I went to bed. Who wants to get up at 4 am to drain out a tumbler???  I usually only tumble for either 2 to 4 hours depending on how grubby the cases are.
I have a dual barrel HF too, and I adjust the amount of Lemi-shine accordingly: using a 45 case in my water here in either tumbler causes my brass to go dark. Your brass in your water might do well with a 45 case full. I only use 1/2 a 9mm case in each HF barrel and 1 case for the B, after experimenting with amounts. So far I have tumbled about 5 thousand cases though the 2 machines. YMMV depending on your experience. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 4/29/2013 9:19:29 PM EDT
[#37]
I have had my HF dual barrel tumbler for a while, but just got around to using it tonight. However, I do not have any lemi shine and was eager to try it out. So I tried with just some simple green. After about 2 hours of running, I checked and the brass was still dull. So I was thinking...what do I have that may be comparable to lemi shine.... I decided to try my citrus gojo hand cleaner.. I added about 4 squirts and ran for another hour and checked and found nice shiny brass
So is there any reason why I should not use citrus gojo hand cleaner? |
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Posted: 4/29/2013 10:17:37 PM EDT
[#38]
Originally Posted By rickou812:
I have had my HF dual barrel tumbler for a while, but just got around to using it tonight. However, I do not have any lemi shine and was eager to try it out. So I tried with just some simple green. After about 2 hours of running, I checked and the brass was still dull. So I was thinking...what do I have that may be comparable to lemi shine.... I decided to try my citrus gojo hand cleaner.. I added about 4 squirts and ran for another hour and checked and found nice shiny brass
So is there any reason why I should not use citrus gojo hand cleaner? I believe as long as it does not have ammonia in it, it's ok. |
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Posted: 4/30/2013 11:43:07 PM EDT
[#39]
So, if they come out bronze, thats too much dawn right?
the bottom pile 
They started out pretty bad, I found about 500 buried in the mud when I was out riding my 4wheeler. This is after about 10 hours in walnut to try to knock some of the dirt off 
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Posted: 5/1/2013 7:04:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: champsm]
[#40]
Originally Posted By mac3:
So, if they come out bronze, thats too much dawn right? Actually it's too much Lemishine. Judging by how dark those are I'd say way too much. I, like many others, use half a 9mm casing for 1lb SS, 1lb brass and 1lb water. With a good long squirt of dish washing soap. Edit for grammar |
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Posted: 5/2/2013 12:22:17 AM EDT
[Last Edit: _DR]
[#41]
How are you guys separating the SS rods from the .223 brass? I have been using a media separator and a magnet, but it is a pain in the ass. It sprays the rods everywhere inside the media separator, and I end either picking them up a few at a time, or peeling them off a magnet which isn't much better. If I try to pick the brass out by hand, I can't get the rods out of the .223 brass without the media separator.
Tried using a sieve, but still have to spin them in the separator, the rods don't come out easily from .223 once they get bunched up the there. So back to the same pain in the ass. The loads of brass are so small for the HF double unit, I end up having to do this a lot. I'm about ready to shelve the HF double tumbler and buy a bigger wet tumbler so at least I won't have to do this as often for the same quantity of brass. |
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Posted: 5/2/2013 12:37:35 AM EDT
[Last Edit: redoubt]
[#42]
Originally Posted By _DR:
How are you guys separating the SS rods from the .223 brass? I have been using a media separator and a magnet, but it is a pain in the ass. It sprays the rods everywhere inside the media separator, and I end either picking them up a few at a time, or peeling them off a magnet which isn't much better. If I try to pick the brass out by hand, I can't get the rods out of the .223 brass without the media separator. Tried using a sieve, but still have to spin them in the separator, the rods don't come out easily from .223 once they get bunched up the there. So back to the same pain in the ass. The loads of brass are so small for the HF double unit, I end up having to do this a lot. I'm about ready to shelve the HF double tumbler and buy a bigger wet tumbler so at least I won't have to do this as often for the same quantity of brass. Put water into the media separator. I use one and fill it enough so that the brass is partially covered. Then when you spin the squirrel cage the pins just drop right out without flying all over the place. It only takes 4 or 5 low energy spins to get the pins out. I don't even put the top on my separator. As you have found if you don't put water in the separator the pins stick to the brass due to water surface tension. |
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Posted: 5/2/2013 12:49:14 AM EDT
[#43]
You guys all pretty much using the Frankford Arsenal separator?
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Posted: 5/2/2013 2:02:41 AM EDT
[Last Edit: _DR]
[#44]
Originally Posted By redoubt:
Originally Posted By _DR:
How are you guys separating the SS rods from the .223 brass? I have been using a media separator and a magnet, but it is a pain in the ass. It sprays the rods everywhere inside the media separator, and I end either picking them up a few at a time, or peeling them off a magnet which isn't much better. If I try to pick the brass out by hand, I can't get the rods out of the .223 brass without the media separator. Tried using a sieve, but still have to spin them in the separator, the rods don't come out easily from .223 once they get bunched up the there. So back to the same pain in the ass. The loads of brass are so small for the HF double unit, I end up having to do this a lot. I'm about ready to shelve the HF double tumbler and buy a bigger wet tumbler so at least I won't have to do this as often for the same quantity of brass. Put water into the media separator. I use one and fill it enough so that the brass is partially covered. Then when you spin the squirrel cage the pins just drop right out without flying all over the place. It only takes 4 or 5 low energy spins to get the pins out. I don't even put the top on my separator. As you have found if you don't put water in the separator the pins stick to the brass due to water surface tension. OK, good idea. But how do you pick up all the pins easily after they all fall to the bottom of the media separator? This always ends up being a tedious task. |
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Posted: 5/2/2013 2:03:32 AM EDT
[#45]
Originally Posted By Always_Learning:
You guys all pretty much using the Frankford Arsenal separator? I use the Cabela's green media separator. Works ok but the hinges coming apart is annoying sometimes. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 5/2/2013 3:24:37 AM EDT
[#46]
Originally Posted By _DR:
Originally Posted By redoubt:
Originally Posted By _DR:
How are you guys separating the SS rods from the .223 brass? I have been using a media separator and a magnet, but it is a pain in the ass. It sprays the rods everywhere inside the media separator, and I end either picking them up a few at a time, or peeling them off a magnet which isn't much better. If I try to pick the brass out by hand, I can't get the rods out of the .223 brass without the media separator. Tried using a sieve, but still have to spin them in the separator, the rods don't come out easily from .223 once they get bunched up the there. So back to the same pain in the ass. The loads of brass are so small for the HF double unit, I end up having to do this a lot. I'm about ready to shelve the HF double tumbler and buy a bigger wet tumbler so at least I won't have to do this as often for the same quantity of brass. Put water into the media separator. I use one and fill it enough so that the brass is partially covered. Then when you spin the squirrel cage the pins just drop right out without flying all over the place. It only takes 4 or 5 low energy spins to get the pins out. I don't even put the top on my separator. As you have found if you don't put water in the separator the pins stick to the brass due to water surface tension. OK, good idea. But how do you pick up all the pins easily after they all fall to the bottom of the media separator? This always ends up being a tedious task. I rinse them and drain out most of the water, leave them in the bucket. When I need to use them I scoop them out with a small pudding cup or plastic cup from diced peaches: a small cup full of pins is about a pound. I also have a magnet which releases the pins after collecting them off the floor or the sink when there are a few that stray... something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Trademark-Tools-75-S8874-Magnetic-Pick-Up/dp/B003J3CW1U/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1367479298&sr=8-16&keywords=release+magnet |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/2/2013 3:40:51 AM EDT
[#47]
i use the rcbs media separator( cuz ive had it forever) to get the pins out and then dump em onto this.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Splatter-Screens-Set-of-2/15231392 Quick and painless |
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IL, USA
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Posted: 5/2/2013 4:58:58 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Col_Cotton_Hill]
[#48]
I use a Dillon media separator. I give it some low speed turn's. Then knock off the few that's left on the cage.
Now here's the trick. Pour the water out of the tub and just leave the pin's in there to dry. Then after a day or so of drying, they just pour right out with out sticking. 
You can tilt the tub just a bit to make the water go to one corner, then put a paper towel there to soak up the water. |
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Posted: 5/2/2013 1:35:31 PM EDT
[#49]
Originally Posted By _DR:
OK, good idea. But how do you pick up all the pins easily after they all fall to the bottom of the media separator? This always ends up being a tedious task. I just tip the media separator bucket over and let the water drain off slowly. The pins all wind up in the bottom corner. Then I scrape half into each tumbler drum. Takes about 2 minutes. I don't worry about the pins rusting. I've left them in the damp in the drums for 3 months without rust. |
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Posted: 5/2/2013 8:44:22 PM EDT
[#50]
Originally Posted By redoubt:
Originally Posted By _DR:
OK, good idea. But how do you pick up all the pins easily after they all fall to the bottom of the media separator? This always ends up being a tedious task. I take 1/2 my separator and put an old shirt over it, push the shirt down into the pan of said separator and then pour in the water and pins. Real easy. I've never added water to catch pan of the separator, just dump them in and spin. I am using the XL pins though, maybe that makes a difference? |
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