Quoted:
The media always needs to be softer than the material it is cleaning, if it isn't, it can damage what you are tumbling.
So the obvious question is stainless steel softer than brass? If you don't know the answer to that question you should quit reloading.
Knock it off. Contribute something positive and correct, or stay quiet.
I'll see if I can find the other thread on this topic, be right back ...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=311325
Quoted:
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If so, I guess I am going to sell my vibratory cleaner and get a tumbler. Is there any consensus on which tumbler is best? Also, using a tumbler and stainless, how long does it take to clean cases? Is it the same as vibratory? Shorter or longer?
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The Thumbler's machines are pretty darn good and seem to last forever. I called for some new belts a couple of years ago, and they showed up in a couple of days. The prices for these tumblers is high, but I suppose they are worth that.
Rotary tumblers are slow compared to the vibratory style if used for cleaning with walnut. I use mine with corn cob for delubing and it works great in that role.
In the thread I linked I didn't notice whether anyone stated the time required and the photos aren't sufficient to see how the primer pockets worked out. My objection to ceramic and stainless media has always been the cost, but according to someone in the other thread the media shown procured specifically for reloading and the cost is about $10 per pound - a pound ain't a whole bunch of steel. I think I would dig around the industrial suppliers before buying the media shown to see if something comparable or identical is being sold; I'll bet it is.
If the steel can't be removed from the case interiors with nothing more than a quick run through a rotary separator, then it's a no go in my opinion. I would be interested to see an accurate count of the number of cases with steel stuck in the flash holes, too.
I would also be interested to see the rubber liner in a Thumbler's tumbler after several cycles with the steel media.
Don't sell your vibratory tumbler too soon.