Author Topic: ceramic media (Read 1480 times)

hiram · « **on:** September 05, 2004, 03:49:10 PM »

I tried cleaning my first batch of brass with ceramic media in a Thumbler's Tumbler. I am very diappointed. I have an oily mess. The cases are oily, the brass is oily. I filled half the drum with media and used an orange cleaner with water. I Filled the drum just up to the level of the media. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks

e15cap · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2004, 04:20:52 PM »

Why orange cleaner. Dave Mauers kit includes his cleaner and the cases look like new inside and out including the primer pocket. Tried Cabelas kit and sent it back and bought Mauer's and wont give it up.
Roger

hiram · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2004, 04:46:38 PM »

Thanks-- I bought the media online from a semi-precious stone outfit. Cleaner was not included. Is Mauer the name of the business?

loneshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2004, 08:24:53 PM »

try here take out the spaces. hope this helps as dave has a great product and is a great guy to do business with Dave Maurer
E-mail Address(es):
dkitty dddave @aol.com

captmorgan · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2004, 12:14:49 PM »

hiram
Perhaps you should leave that brand of orange cleaner for counter-tops and try something else. My particular recipe using 5 lbs of media is : 3 cups of water, 1/2 ounce Simple Green soap (diluted 12:1) and 2 ozs vinegar. 2 hours of tumbling gets the inside as clean as when they were new.

captmorgan

hiram · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2004, 04:08:21 PM »

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely try the water/simple green/vinegar combo.

The email 'dkitty dddave @aol.com' is incorrect.

hiram · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2004, 05:04:37 PM »

Captmorgan--

I tried your solution and it is unbelievable. The cases were so bright, I had to put on sunglasses. May your next 1000 shots be bullseyes. Thank you.

Marty · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2004, 03:39:03 PM »

Hello Hiram,
I just bought a Thumblers Tumbler and am using 2# Lyman ceramic media. The first time I tried it I used enough water to cover the media, added 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 1 level teaspoon of cream of tartar, 3 drops of liquid dishwashing soap, and tumbled 50 45/70 cases for approx. 2hrs. they came out fine. Did the same with 100 Hornet cases; same result. I know you have found a successful method, but this is another one.

I've received great comments on a 40/65 question this site, so its my turn to offer some assistance to fellow shooters.

Marty

hiram · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2004, 10:23:36 AM »

Thanks Marty--

I just added your solution to my library of fixes.

T.J. McSuds · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2004, 01:06:48 AM »

Can ceramic media be used in a vibratory tumbler. I would like to try some but do not want to buy a new tumbler at this time.

The Shrink · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2004, 01:25:45 AM »

Yes, no problem using it in a vibratory. I'm using th Lyman with the heavy duty container. I don't get a shine on mine, but I've been using only a couple tablespoons of water, and that may account for the difference. I'm also using 3mm beads rather than the conic section pieces. I think BuffaloArms.com still has them.

T.J. McSuds · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2004, 12:28:25 AM »

Who carries ceramic media? I usually use Midway but did not find it listed with them.

hiram · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2004, 06:37:43 AM »

Item number: 2283716956

This is the ebay auction number of the guy I purchased from. The seller is AGATEFAN. It comes to $2 /lb. I bought 10# for a thumbler's tumbler and it cost $33+ change with shipping. The cabela's package with the detergent is about $50. That's $6-8 /lb and the cleaner is included, but that is expensive compared to the Ebay route. I can't remember how many lbs come in the box Cabela's sells, but its not 10. The liquid cleaner is listed above by CAPTMORGAN with simple green and vinegar is great. The insides were as clean as the outsides. Leave room for the cases to tumble around---don't overfill with cases. About 50-60 45-70 is good for me. The liquid goes over the top of the media so there is plenty of washing taking place.

Marty · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2005, 04:27:50 PM »

TJ,
Just saw your note. If you're still looking, I got mine from MidSouth Shooters Supply. The media is Lyman, order # 015-7631381 Replacement Ceramic media $10.61 for 2# pkg. (On page 78 of their catalog.) Works for me.

Marty

boilerman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2005, 08:07:09 AM »

try 2oz. of tidt-bowl in 1/2 gallon of warm water in a 5-gallon bucket and swirl gently for 15-minetes.Then rinse with warm water.Sounds OD,but it works. Try it,Boilerman- ---Brass will look like new

hiram · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2005, 11:22:51 AM »

Be careful of tidy-bowl. I haven't read the label but I did read that one ingredient is a small amount of HCL--hydrochloric acid. It will clean but the acid will react with the zinc in the brass and impair the strength of the case.

I tried an experiment-I took 2 batches of dirty brass, 2 separate containers of very warm-hot water. In one I put oxy-clean. In the other, I put a denture cleaner tablet. The oxy-clean worked much better. The brass was much brighter but was still stained.

I then added oxyclean to my thumler's tumbler with ceramic media. Cleanup was perfect.

RPbump · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2005, 04:07:35 PM »

A word of caution to those using liquids in a vibratory tumbler. If the center shaft is not sealed (rubber washer, o-ring, etc) and to much liquid is added to tumbling media it will leak down the center threaded shaft and pose a shock hazard and in some cases a fire hazard. Rbump

anthony · « **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:35:31 PM »

most vibratory tumblers don't say if they can be used with liquids. What vibratory tumblers do you guys have can hold liquids?