New F.A. Tumbler & SS media

[Oldgoat03]

I just ran my first batch of 45C (Black powder) through my new Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series tumbler with SS media. These cartidges were filthy after shooting BP loads and never really came clean with cobb/vibratory cleaning. Now they truly look like new after wet tumbling with SS.

After my fist experience I have a few questions for those that wet tumble with SS.

How do you store your media between uses? The FA instructions say to rinse clean and dry the media to avoid rusting!? I expected to rinse but had assumed that SS wouldn't rust so had thought I could just drain off the water and store it in the rubber lined tumbler drum. Is it better to leave one end open to allow air to circulate?

What is your cleaning solution recipie? (how much Dawn and Lemishine?)
I used the package of cleaning solution that came with it for the first batch so will need to get some lemishine and dawn dish soap.

Any other tips for wet tumbling?

The results of wet tumbling even filthy brass are fantastic! The FA unit is well made and runs pretty quiet (I would recommend it) ... but the clean up instructions are more than I had thought. I will do what I need to preserve the investment of course but wanted to hear from you experienced wet tumblers out there.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.
OG03

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I use a Harbor Freight dual tumbler with SS pins, I rinse off the pins and then they sit in the tumbler uncovered until next use. I have never dried them, they dry on their own if not used. Being SS they should not need drying. I only use Water, dawn and lemishine in my tumblers, so far no problems.

My drums are 3 pound drums so i use one or two drops of dawn, half a 9mm cartridge of lemishine and fill water about 3/4 full, i make sure the water level is over the shells.

i never tumble for more than 3 hours max, i have not noticed any better results with more than 3 hours and have actually noticed the brass being dull after longer times.

Hope this helps

Lefty

 

[Oldgoat03]

Perfect thanks!

Lefty

Thanks for the response. Is your SS media able to be picked up with a magnet? Mine is so I wonder about the iron content (rusting).

This time I poured the SS media on an old towel them dabbed a bit and stored in an old shop rag (cotton) without the lid to enable drying.

I will just store it in the drum wet after next use and see what devlops. My guess is I will use it enough that it should not be a problem.

Thanks again.
OG03

 

[CLP]

I keep my SS pins in my Thumler's. I rinse it out by pouring off the dirty water, rinsing, and pouring off most of that water but there's still a good amount of water in there with the pins. Store it upright with the top loosely screwed down. Never had rust in over a year. I pick up loose pins with a magnet in a ziplock bag. Easy peasy.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Yes, the same as CLP mentioned, they do pickup with a magnet, it helps when you spill a few.

Lefty

 

[Oldgoat03]

Life is good - clean brass

All good news thanks so much for the response. I will store them in the drum from now on.

BTW I just dried the frist batch. Placed on cookie sheet set to 200 deg. Once it was up to temp I turned it off and left it in with the door shut while I made and ate a sandwich. All dry and ready to reload.

Life is good! (guess I'm easy to please)

OG03

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I found a food dehydrator at harbor Freight for $24 dollars. I also bought a timer. I place the washed brass on the dehydrator for an hour and its done.

 

[ess45]

I do the final drying by running them in a vibratory tumbler with crushed wallnut and nufinish for about 30 minutes or so. This stage also retards the tarnishing of the brass.

 

[CLP]

I guess I have my own way of drying them also...

I use a rotating media separator, throw the brass in there with an old t-shirt to absorb water, give it a few good turns, then lay out the brass on my bench on an old towel. That's the end of my free time typically, so when I can get to them next (usually the next day) they'll be completely air dried.

 

[Oldgoat03]

OK so from what I'm reading folks seem to use about a 9mm case of lemishine and a couple drops of Dawn in their tumbling recipie. My question is do you use the powder lemishine or liquid? My wife brought home the liquid form used in dishwashers. I have not figured out the right amount (think I went too strong) and the next batch came out kinda dark (but clean) I have rinsed and am tumbling more in clean water in hopes to knock the dark tarnish off.

Once again I need your experience. If you use the liquid form please advise regarding how much. If I need to get the power I will.

Thanks again
OG03

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Use the powder form, that is what most use and is easier to measure. One normal container lasts a long time.

 

[Captaingyro]

Oldgoat03: you're drying exactly the correct way...no need to get any fancier than that.

My recipe (for a Thumlers): 2 teaspoons of Dawn and a quarter teaspoon of Lemishine.

 

[Oldgoat03]

Update

OK I took back the liquid lemi shine and got the powder. I used a .40 S&W case full (9mm case wasn't handy) with a gallon of water and a squirt of dawn.

Results = spectacular .... life is once again wonderful!

Thanks again for sharing your valuable experience!

OG03

 

[John C]

Skip the Dawn and try ArmorAll WashNWax in it's place. It's a detergent to clean the brass, but leaves behind a film of carnauba wax. This wax keeps the brass from tarnishing, and allows the brass to slide through your carbide dies a bit easier. Traditional SS tumbling takes ALL if the carbon off your brass, making it a bit difficult to size, even through carbide dies.