Stainless steel pins?

[tink77]

How many lbs of pins do you need to use?

 

[SIG9Fan]

Which tumbler? If Harbor Freight - one pound pins, one pound water and one pound cases.

 

[JO JO]

It depends on the tumbler size , it's common to see 1/3 pins to capacity recamended example 1 part pins 1 part water 1 part brass

 

[9mmepiphany]

one pound pins, one pound water and one pound cases.

You realize that that is only two ounces of water?

 

[Starr1der]

You realize that that is only two ounces of water?

That would actually be 16 fluid ounces water; one pint.

 

[Reefinmike]

You realize that that is only two ounces of water?

8.34lb per gallon water. 128 fluid ounces per gallon. Works out to more like 15.3 ounces, not two.

 

[9mmepiphany]

oops, you're correct. I plugged the wrong numbers in when I did the math

 

[Da Yooper]

Where do you get the SS pins?

 

[thump_rrr]

Thumbler Model B 5lbs pins, 8lbs water, 2lbs brass.

 

[X-Ring]

Many places carry SS pin media

http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/635839/pellets-brass-cleaning-media-stainless-steel-pins-5-lb-bag
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/27280

 

[AV8TOR]

If you just need one pound for the Harbour Freight tumbler here is a place that sells one pound packages.
https://www.bestbyte.net/1-lb-047x-255-in-stainless-pellet-pins-tumbling-media.html

 

[jaguarxk120]

It seems if you buy the media by the pound it is cheaper than the five pound
bag.

You just might as well bite the bullet and get the Thumblers tumbler, tumbling one pound batches will get old very fast.

 

[jmorris]

I use 10lbs of media.
2 gallons of water
8lbs of brass
3 T of dawn soap
1/2 t lemishine



Media came from these guys.



I built my tumbler, it's a $35 eBay gear motor and two 12.7 gallon buckets. The one that removes had vanes in it to keep the brass moving and nests inside the permanently mounted one.

 

[JO JO]

Amazon also had good deals on the pins and had different sized bags

 

[mongoose33]

I use 5# in both the Thumlers and the Frankford Arsenal tumblers. I'll fill the tumbler about 1/3 full of brass, add what is probably 48 to 60 ounces of water, and some cleaner and lemishine.

 

[bullethead]

FWIW, pins come in different sizes. From what I have heard, the smaller sizes will get stuck in for primer pockets/flash holes. I purchased some that were 0.062x0.255 on another forum. I have used them for almost a year and so far no stuck pins. Once you start pin tumbling, you will never go back to dry media tumbling. More work, but brass looks like new.

 

[jgh4445]

My pins don't get stuck in the primer pocket, they lodge cross ways in the neck of 25-06 cases and some others. Have to pry them out. For some reason, the ones with a pin cross ways in the neck always contain pins in the case that couldn't get out. I have to manually shake them out after dislodging the one in the neck.

 

[jmorris]

Once you start pin tumbling, you will never go back to dry media tumbling. More work, but brass looks like new.

I wouldn't go that far I still have and use two dry tumblers but yes SS wet makes them look new inside and out.

 

[bullethead]

My pins don't get stuck in the primer pocket, they lodge cross ways in the neck of 25-06 cases and some others. Have to pry them out. For some reason, the ones with a pin cross ways in the neck always contain pins in the case that couldn't get out. I have to manually shake them out after dislodging the one in the neck.

I haven't had that issue with the pins I am using tumbling 25-06 or any other caliber. It is a bit of a PITA to separate the pins from the brass, especially when tumbling smaller handgun cases, but it is worth it. I put my case separator (just the black plastic cheap one) on top of a screen strainer and dump it all in and rinse. Separator catches the brass amd strainer catches the pins. I still have to shake out some of the pins, but overall it works well.
After finding that the brass tarnishes after wet tumbling, I quit using Dawn and started using a car soap with wax in it, like Turtle Wax or a simular brand. Brass tumbled a year ago is still bright.

 

[.452]

Make sure the pins are attracted by a magnet. Not all Stainless Steel is magnetic.

During cleanup, I put the magnet into a plastic cup, it picks up the loose pins right through the plastic, and dumping them is easy, just pull the magnet out of the cup.

If you pick the pins up on the magnet itself, it take too much time to get them off again.

If you buy the Harbor Freight tumbler, get a pack of spare drive belts along with it. They break at just the wrong times.....

 

[2011redrider]

stainless pins

http://www.bullseye-reloading.com/
bought mine here, shipping included and 65 for 10 lbs vs about 87 at STM.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You might also consider, if you are having issues with pins "sticking", larger pins which are about .5" long and .062" diameter

Here is a link to a thread on another forum about them. The poster there sells them in 2.5lb bags for $20+ shipping

 

[cfullgraf]

It depends on the tumbler size , it's common to see 1/3 pins to capacity recamended example 1 part pins 1 part water 1 part brass

You realize that that is only two ounces of water?

That would actually be 16 fluid ounces water; one pint.

Just remember, for water "A pint's a pound the world around".

Then you do not have to get incorrect results from an electronic machine. Remember, bad electrons can affect results on occasions.

 

[mongoose33]

The pins that stick in my .223 flash holes are .040; there are .047 pins that won't stick. You can get them here:

http://www.bullseye-reloading.com/Pellet-Pins-Tumbling-Media.html

Not a bad price, either.

 

[tink77]

Thanks, I'm thinking about getting one of the wet tumblers, just checking on what's needed.