Author Topic: Conditioning worn vibrating brass cleaning media (Read 1038 times)

TexasMac · « **on:** November 24, 2004, 04:40:29 AM »

I'm using crushed walnut media in my vibrating brass cleaner. As it wears the worn media (now much finer) slows down the cleaning process and tends to coat some areas of the housing. I understand if the worn stuff is removed it will speed up subsequent cleaning, and certainly reduce the dust. I'd rather not toss it all. There must be some tricks to separating the worn stuff from the rest. So what techniques do you guys use. Thanks.

Wayne

Gun Runner · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2004, 05:42:59 AM »

Dont know about seperating the media, but I add 3 or 4 caps of brasso in the media and let it run about 10 min and toss my brass in and it cleans up fine.
An after thought I get my media in a 50lb bag from my local feed store runs about 10 or 11 dollars a bag. When the media gets real dirty or worn to nothing I just replace it. Some people dont like the ammonia in brasso and use a few drops of liquid car polish, it will do the same thing.

Gun Runner

Duffy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2004, 06:27:09 AM »

I had a old flour sifter that I ran a bunch through to get rid of the "fines" and save the larger stuff. Usually can pick one up at the Salvation Army store or Goodwill pretty cheap. The one with the single screen and wire that rubs against it works the best. Window screen of different size works pretty good too. I keep some of the finer stuff for small cases like the 22 hornet ect. Have even resorted to washing old media in a pinch and although a pain, it works. Some of the media that I've gotten from the pet stores has other grains in it and the screen helps get that out too.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2004, 06:34:31 AM »

First of all, NEVER use any substance containing ammonia to brass cleaning!

Secondly, when treated walnut media is available for less than $1 per pound, and a couple of pounds will finish several thousand cases, why scrimp?

Throw all the old media out and refill with fresh.

Castaway · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2004, 07:25:03 AM »

Went to rice five or six years ago and have never looked back.

ggardner · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2004, 09:22:13 AM »

Can you elaborate on the rice you use please? Thanks ggardner

Castaway · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2004, 09:58:28 AM »

Not complicated. Fill the tumbler with rice, add brass, turn on and there you go. Cheaper than corncob or walnut and works just as well.

Reloader · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2004, 04:00:48 PM »

:shock: I read somewhere that there is more lead exposure when dealing with used media than with other operations of reloading. Makes one think before sifting and exposing yourself to potential harm.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2004, 07:30:51 PM »

Well, changing the subject somewhat, what about corn cob media? Is it possible to rejuvinate that stuff by any means? Seems to do a good job of cleaning cases, and polishes 'em up even better with case polish added. I sometimes hate to just throw it out when it's cleaning ability is lost, even though it may plain be necessary to pitch it once it's reached that point. Patriot

P.S. As for the dust when sifting, I make it a habit to NOT inhale at that period. If I have to, I just walk a little ways from the area till the dust clears.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2004, 08:01:35 PM »

I don[t have any problems with dust from the tumblers.

I keep them in the garage.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2004, 07:52:17 AM »

Gun Runner: Please give me more information on what you are getting at the Feed Store. Sounds like a bag would be a life time supply. It is something I would check into.

savageT · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2004, 08:00:39 AM »

Hey!....Has anyone considered using cat liter for the vibratory polisher? No..........not the used stuff :x

De41mag · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2004, 09:45:41 AM »

Siskiyou;

I get the 50lb. bag of corn cob media. Looks just like the stuff you buy from MidwayUSA. I get it out of Birmingham AL. But the stuff is from IL.
I buy it for $12.00 a fifty lb. bag.
It's called MAIZORB.
Preminum Grade Processed Corn Cob.
Mt. Pulaski Products
Mt. Pulaski, IL.
1-800-577-COBS (2627)
Hope this can help you.
Dennis

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2004, 12:37:47 PM »

Quote

I get the 50lb. bag of corn cob media.

Wow, sounds like a smokin' deal! Does "just any regular" feed store possibly carry it? 50lbs of that stuff for under $20 sure would be a life and money saver for me too. Patriot

De41mag · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2004, 02:27:23 PM »

Patriot;

I would think so, or I bet they could get and still be under twenty bucks!

Dennis

ping925 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2004, 08:27:24 AM »

Went to rice two years ago--harder. polishes better and is cheap--10 lbs at Walmart for less than $4--Lasts a long time too.

savageT · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2004, 09:09:01 AM »

Quote from: ping925

Went to rice two years ago--harder. polishes better and is cheap--10 lbs at Walmart for less than $4--Lasts a long time too.

Question on rice media: Will it take the polishing compounds as well as corn?

Jim

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2004, 10:24:50 AM »

Darn! I'm agreeing with ricciardelli again! Media is cheap if you shop in the right places. It doesn't have to be replaced very often.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2004, 11:39:45 AM »

Quote from: Questor

Darn! I'm agreeing with ricciardelli again! Media is cheap if you shop in the right places. It doesn't have to be replaced very often.

"I can feel your pain..."

Gun Runner · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2004, 06:02:52 PM »

Siskiyu, I dont have the bag it came in as I dump it into a med size rubber trash can with a lid. It is the same consis. of what you buy from midway or your local shop. Dont try your local pet store as they have small bags but big prices. I get mine from a ranch and farm supply store. You know the type where they carry hay, straw and etc. :grin: . Like I said just bought a bag while back and it was $12.00 for 50lbs, I can and do clean a lot of brass.

Gun Runner

Siskiyou · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2004, 06:09:29 PM »

Gun Runner: I need to go to the feed store tomorrow and buy some dog straw. I'll see if they have any. Is it normally used to feed critters? I sure do not need a 50 pound bag. I guess I'll have to call my brother and see if he needs some.

De41mag: I found Mt Pulaski Products on the internet. What kind of store did you buy their product from.

P.S. I just called my brother and asked him if he wanted any if I bought a large bag. He said he already had a 5 gallon bucket of cleaning media, and offered me some. I like price.

Norwester · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2004, 11:33:43 PM »

When you buy at the feed store,be carefull, theres at least two diferent grinds they use. The 1/4/coarse grind I believe it is works great on straight walled cases but will work itself so tightly into bottleneck cases that you'll probably just want to toss them rather than dig it out. Don't ask me how I know. :oops: The 1/8/fine is the size you want for bottlenecks. They sell it for bedding material.
Jeff

Yukon Gold · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2004, 03:38:32 AM »

:grin: Thanks for the tip on using rice. Sometimes I do not live near a feed store and rice is something I never thought of.

Question - can you add media polish (like from Midway) to the rice, or does it just get soft/mushy if you do.

How well does rice polish? Usually, I am happy to get it clean enough to reload and shoot, but once in a while, I like to get a nice polish/shine primarily for the looks - not necessarily performance.