Rance - SASS # 54090 Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Thought I'd clean some brass tonight I usually have to run my tumbler around 4 hours for the brass to suit me Thought.. been readin' on this ol' wire about puttin' fabric softner sheets in the tumbler... Thought... I'd give it a try... Went into Lacey's laundry room and got a Brand New One!!! Cut it in half and put both halves in the tumbler.. Just went down to check it... been running 2 1/2 hours... Opened it up... and VAWALLA!! Brass is clean and bright already.. The fabric softner sheets are a real dirty brown.. almost packed solid... My media is cleaner than when I started.. I imagine when I dump them (gonna let them run fer a while longer) that there will be less dust.. Rance Thinkin' the info on this ol' wire is great... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Gregg Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 And fresh smellin' too? Hope it didn't SOFTEN your cases... No static to set the BP.... Okay it's late, they were stupid jokes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Cut the sheet into strips ... works better to sop up the foul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Add a half capfull of liquid Turtle Wax.( Run it for 10 min before putting cases in) Almost as good as case lube & you'll need sunglasses....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Mountain Buzzard Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 +1 on the Turtle Wax hint. Really works well for 44-40 cases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ordnancebob Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 I use dryer sheets as well bas paper towel cut in strips to keep my media clean. Afew drops ofliquid nufinish car wax makes the brass shiny as well as acts as a case lube when going through the sizing die. Arte et Marte Ordnancebob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffler Razz Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Thanks for the tip! I read a few posts somewhere about adding some Comet Cleanser and gave that a try. It worked great BUT the smell was horrible and gave me a headache while I was fishing out the cases. I dumped the media after that disaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Add the tumbler use to the list of other good uses for dryer sheets ... http://mountainsurvival.com/bounce.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Okay... I had to try this - and yup, it works! Dryer sheet torn into thirds, and a capful of Turtle wax. No dust when I opened the tumbler! AND the brass was cleaner than it's been in a goodly while. Still needed case lube, though - first case dang near got stuck. Of course, having just moved, I couldn't find my case lube and pad... so I improvised: Quick trip to the kitchen, folded up paper towels on a small plate drizzled with peanut oil - slicker'n the dickens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Rick Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 OK - I tried it... HOLY CRAP!!! At both the brightness of the brass & the grunginess of what used to be the dryer sheet (cut into 1/4ths). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Henry, SASS #20616 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 What media are you using with these additions? Regards, TJH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rance - SASS # 54090 Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 What media are you using with these additions? Regards, TJH I use about 1/2 corn cob media and about 1/2 walnut media.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 What media are you using with these additions? Regards, TJH .. Straight "lizard litter" (crushed walnut shells) - only additive was the dryer sheet and a capful+ of turtle wax. The "lizard litter" is terrific - 25 lbs of the same stuff sold as "brass cleaning media..." $17.99 (+ shipping) for five lbs from Midway; $9.99 for seven lbs from PetSmart. Even cheaper by the 25 lb bag - $21.99! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Yeah, yeah, but the real question is whether you are using original scent or April Fresh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Rick Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 I am using regular Lyman Turbo Tumbler media (that I thought was long overdue for replacement). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Enuff Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Although people do it either way, they are supposed to be USED dryer sheets. Use them in the dryer the first time, keep all the used ones to cut up and put in the tumbler. The fabric weave has less softener and fragrance left in it and has more room to collect crud. But if you are out of used ones, no one really complains about the new either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 ... OK, wanna try something else new to some folks? With your favorite media and the dryer strips ... add some whole grain uncooked rice to the shaker. Your going to get a few cases with a grain stuck in the flash hole, but can be easily popped out. Depending on the quantity, have found the rice cleans the insides of the cases nicely But IMO - Nothing beats thoroughly cleaning the out/in sides of brass like a rotary tumbler, 2mm or 3mm plastic triangle media and Strat-O-Sheen burnishing solution with a 1/2 tsp of TSP added. That's My Recommendation and I'm Sticking to It! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtwater Doc 17941 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 I started using mineral spirits and truly VOILA'! No need to use expensive polishes. I think Vawalla is southern Norwegian pronunciation of Valhalla. Just jokin.... DD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Far out - gonna give it a try next go around - GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddnews SASS# 24779 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Possibly a stupid question, but are you using vibratory "tumblers" or true rotary tumblers, or does it make a difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rance - SASS # 54090 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Possibly a stupid question, but are you using vibratory "tumblers" or true rotary tumblers, or does it make a difference? Mine's a vibrator tumbler..Dillon 500 Rance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaky Gun Runner SASS 79775 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I use the same method as Jon Boy with a Thumblers Tumbler, stainless pins, Dawn soap, and a 9mm case full of Lemi-Shine. Inside, outside, flash hole, and primer cup always "like new" clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Okay... I had to try this - and yup, it works! Dryer sheet torn into thirds, and a capful of Turtle wax. No dust when I opened the tumbler! AND the brass was cleaner than it's been in a goodly while. Still needed case lube, though - first case dang near got stuck. Of course, having just moved, I couldn't find my case lube and pad... so I improvised: Quick trip to the kitchen, folded up paper towels on a small plate drizzled with peanut oil - slicker'n the dickens! Well... thats good enough for me... I'm out to get some of both! Snakebite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cemetery Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I use the same method as Jon Boy with a Thumblers Tumbler, stainless pins, Dawn soap, and a 9mm case full of Lemi-Shine. Inside, outside, flash hole, and primer cup always "like new" clean. I tried the stainless steel pins, and it didn't work for me. Had to redo it with ceramic media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uno Mas SASS #80082 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Okay - let me axe youz dis: Is there a reason for polishing brass to a golden shine - other than that they're purty? I polished a batch of .38 smokeless cases for an hour. They came out feeling clean, without smoke stains, but looking a little "antiqued". Is this acceptable? Does it make the reloader's job harder? Could the duller cases be hiding flaws easier? Does the patina build up after a few uses and eventually hurt the functionality? Inquiring minds want to know -- mine too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Okay - let me axe youz dis: Is there a reason for polishing brass to a golden shine - other than that they're purty? I polished a batch of .38 smokeless cases for an hour. They came out feeling clean, without smoke stains, but looking a little "antiqued". Is this acceptable? Does it make the reloader's job harder? Could the duller cases be hiding flaws easier? Does the patina build up after a few uses and eventually hurt the functionality? Inquiring minds want to know -- mine too. No, no, no, no & no. It's purely a personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamon Chute Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I'm giving it a try right now. Got about half capful of liquid Turtle Wax and a dryer sheet (cut-up into four strips) in the tumbler as I type. I'll check it in a couple of hours. EC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Rick Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 The only thing I really like about shiny brass - it's easier to find in the grass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker, SASS #43022 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Okay - let me axe youz dis: Is there a reason for polishing brass to a golden shine - other than that they're purty? I polished a batch of .38 smokeless cases for an hour. They came out feeling clean, without smoke stains, but looking a little "antiqued". Is this acceptable? Does it make the reloader's job harder? Could the duller cases be hiding flaws easier? Does the patina build up after a few uses and eventually hurt the functionality? Inquiring minds want to know -- mine too. No, no, no, no & no. It's purely a personal preference. I would have agreed with you up to a few months ago. The media that I had always used was never a high polish media; just clean the carbon off and call it good. I finally broke down and went high polish... WOW! The cases feed thru the reloader 1000x better. It is also easier (for me) to see a split in a shiny case as I screen them for loading too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Rick, SASS#84292 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I don't want to get this fine topic off track BUT........Someone said something about not using as much lude. Do you really lube your .38 or .45 brass when reloading? I have loaded hundreds of thousands of rounds in 30 years and have never lubed a one. Am I confused or what. I have dillon XL650s (2) and two SDB and have never used lube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I don't know what it does for the brass but it really screws up the dryer sheets!! Drifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I don't want to get this fine topic off track BUT........Someone said something about not using as much lude. Do you really lube your .38 or .45 brass when reloading? I have loaded hundreds of thousands of rounds in 30 years and have never lubed a one. Am I confused or what. I have dillon XL650s (2) and two SDB and have never used lube. Probably was said by a .44-40 loader......... bottleneck cases are a different story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Fingered Fred 59408 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 ** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ordnancebob Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 .44-40 requires lube. With Nufinish in the media I can reload the without having to lube the cases. Less mess and quick. Arte et Marte Ordnancebob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I still needed lube, but I was loading rifle cases (.30-30 and .250-3000 Savage)... Long, tapered, and bottlenecked. Just a leetle lube, and they sure were purty~! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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