Hey,

I attempted my first run of cases in a tumbler last night. After de-priming the cases I ran them in the tumbler for ½ hr before resizing. When I got the cases out of the media they had dust clinging to them (this is a new tumbler new media some Lyman media conditioner). After washing the cases in the sink (still have red stuff stuck to the sink) and letting them dry I proceed to size. After removing the second stuck case I noticed that the sizing mandrel (thing that resizes the neck) was covered in the same red stuff that was on the out side of the cases. After using a brush to clean the gunk out of the inside of the neck all went smoothly.

My Questions are:

Is this amount of residue normal?
If not how do I get rid of it (can something other than conditioner be added to the media)?
If this is normal, how is tumbling worth all the trouble?

BTW I did use the search function, but did not see anything about residue in the necks. Or how to “pre-treat” cleaning media. Did see suggestions to ad some water, or dryer sheets or damp paper towels to tumbler, I plan to try all of these, but do not know if they will solve this exact problem.

Thank for reading all of this , and in advance for the advice.
This really is a great site!

Nate

The red stuff is polishing compound.

Won't hurt your dies, other than polishing up the expander ball.

After tumbling my cases, just wipe down with a good lint free cloth, then run an old bore brush on a hand drill through the necks. Also, check the flashhole to knock out the media usually stuck in the hole.

I use pet store corncob or walnut as tumbling media. Much cheaper than "gun product" media, and same thing. I like Dillon or Midway polishing compound added to the media, doesn't rub off like the red stuff. I clean my media by cutting strips of dry paper towels and adding them to the bowl when tumbling brass. Plls out a lot of the dust that builds up. The good thing about pet store media is it is so cheap you aren't afraid to dump it when needed, instead of trying to stretch it for "one more use".

Hi Charley,

Would you be more specific about the pet store walnut media. I am ready for another purchase and all I ever use is straight walnut media. Is there a brand name and where do you buy it? Any help appreciated.

Thanks............... Bil


I use pet store corncob or walnut as tumbling media. Much cheaper than "gun product" media, and same thing. I like Dillon or Midway polishing compound added to the media, doesn't rub off like the red stuff. I clean my media by cutting strips of dry paper towels and adding them to the bowl when tumbling brass. Plls out a lot of the dust that builds up. The good thing about pet store media is it is so cheap you aren't afraid to dump it when needed, instead of trying to stretch it for "one more use".

YOu can get ground walnut at any of the big chain pet stores... PetsMart, etc. It is sold as bedding material for large birds. A 25 pound bag won't cost more than $8 to $10. You can get ground corncob at Walmart, in the pet section. Cheap! It is also available at most feed/farm&ranch supply stores too, but you might have to buy a 50 pound bag there.

YOu can get ground walnut at any of the big chain pet stores... PetsMart, etc. It is sold as bedding material for large birds. A 25 pound bag won't cost more than $8 to $10. You can get ground corncob at Walmart, in the pet section. Cheap! It is also available at most feed/farm&ranch supply stores too, but you might have to buy a 50 pound bag there.


Thanks much Charlie,

You learn something every day!

Bill

I have tumbled my brass for years, and the shortest amount of time has been for two or three hours. If I'm busy, I've been known to let them go for as long as 24 hours, with no ill effects. One of the main reasons I tumble brass is to get it so shiny that any case or neck splits are easy to spot, so I can pitch them before they cause any problems.

And thanks for the tip about "Pet" media, I have been stretching mine with brass polish, but it's getting pretty dark!
Guess I'm heading to the feed store tomorrow, fifty pounds oughta do it! ;)

PJ the Paranoid Polisher