Author Topic: Case Cleaning & Tumblers (Read 615 times)

Kurt · « **on:** December 15, 2003, 08:00:45 PM »

I have been scrubin an a scrubin with hot soapy water with a myriad of brushes for hours & hours. Question 1. Do vibe tumblers clean inside the case very good? #2 which tumbler is best for the $$. And #3 could some of you share yer case cleaning rituals. I once saw a homemade vibe tumbler on the web but can't find it any more, anyone seen that?? Thanks

contendernut · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2003, 11:21:10 PM »

Q1. They clean the inside of the case of any loose powder but no they don't clean the inside to be shiny and new looking like the outside. Unless your shooting one of the blackpowder cartridges, its not really needed.
Cleaning cases isn't really necessary. The main reasons to clean them are to inspect for cracks, keep grit out of your dies for longer die life and for looks. When I'm working up loads for a rifle/handgun, I use a set number of cases and only clean the necks/shoulder with steel wool and brush the insides of the necks to keep my dies clean. After I establish my loads, all cases are cleaned in a tumbler before loading for easier case inspection.

For a regular tumbler, I like the Dillon and Vibrashine. The midway model works ok but I have had to send them in for repair. With midway selling out and no longer having the lifetime warranty, I don't care for their model much anymore.
Probably the best for super spotless cases would be a rotating cleaner like the RCBS with there liquid cleaner/water mix.

On another note, if you get a standard tumbler case cleaner always use the lid. Tumbling without the lid can release lead into the air according to the NRMA.

HL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2003, 02:06:35 AM »

I have to agree. I have the RCBS sidewinder and it cleans much better than a vibrating cleaner. The liquid media will clean the brass in about 30 minutes. I then put the brass in an oven at 200 degrees to dry them out completely and then put them back in the rotary for about 2-3 hours with corn cob media to give them a nice polish.

I also have a Lyman vibrating cleaner that I use quite a bit also, but use it when I have the time to leave the brass for extended period of times.

The sidewinder is quite a bit more expensive than most of the others but I feel it is well worth the cost.

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2003, 02:45:17 AM »

I use a Hornady vibrating cleaner with corn cob media. The only objective is to clean the crud off the cases and to make visible any cracks in the cases.

nase02 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2003, 01:33:34 AM »

I just tried the Federal Arsenal brass polish with my corn and walnut mix and it really cleans the brass faster and better. Would recommend this to anyone.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2003, 02:21:16 AM »

Cabels case tumbler and their liquid polish. Bought it in a kit for $60 on sale and love it. Brass comes out looking nice, clean and no problems.
Good luck,
Brian M.

fnbrowning · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2003, 10:44:35 AM »

I use a rotary tumble my Father made years ago using a wood drum rotating on two rollers, and belt driven with an olde sewing machine motor!

I put a couple of tablespoons of Brasso brass polish with my walnut media.

Now, several have said that Brasso contains ammonia, and ammonia weakens the brass. I wonder though, may my technique alleviates this problem.

My last step before actually loading is to remove the resizing lube by washing the cases in warm soap water, followed by a clear rinse.

Any comments on this? Did I stop the ammonia action?

longwinters · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2003, 10:53:34 AM »

I, like NewHampshire, use a vibrator with the Cabelas brass shine stuff. It works very well. Cases are clean and have more shine than some of my new brass.

long