Vibratory Tumblers and Media

[markm]

After 20 plus years, my old tumbler finally died.

Pappabear and I each grabbed a new one. He ended up getting some of that Lyman media with jewlers rouge in it. I'd heard complaints about this stuff, but I was interested in trying it.

Below is two loads of brass that had been SS media tumbled and then one dried in plain walnut, the other with the Jewlers rouge. The rouge stuff really gets the brass significantly shinier. I couldn't believe it. The stuff is a mess and a total ass ache, but it works. I actually end up tumbling the brass a second time in plain media to get the rouge out of the inside of the brass.

http://i.imgur.com/1nco11p.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/C9GfgEf.jpg

[tigershilone]

I think the SS wet tumbling gives a great shine (unless the pins are dirty, then they need to be cleaned). I'll load rounds then vibratory tumble to get the sizing lube off.

So I guess my question is why do this extra step? It really looks like a mess to clean up. It's great that you tried it though, thanks for the info.

[SeriousStudent]

What tumbler did you end up buying?

[Krazykarl]

How fine is that stuff? Will it pass through a flash hole? The worst feature of any media is flash hole clogging...

[AndyLate]

How fine is that stuff? Will it pass through a flash hole? The worst feature of any media is flash hole clogging...

I use a universal depriming die, tumble the brass in Walnut shells, then size. The sizing operation clears the media from the flash holes.
Not saying it's the best way, but it is a way.

Andy

[markm]

I dry my brass in a vibratory tumbler. I did another load in the rouge and it came out as shiny as any brass I've ever seen.

We got a Lyman and a berry's tumbler. Both are nice, but the berry's runs much quieter and has greater capacity.

For $60, the berry's unit is awesome.

[T2C]

Don't know if this would help after wet tumbling, but I add one capful of Nu Finish car polish to walnut media every third load. The Nu Finish cleaned brass comes out a lot shinier than using any of the brass preparation specific additives I've tried.

[m1a_scoutguy]

Looks nice ! I have used 2/3 Green Lyman Treated Corn Cob and 1/3 of the red stuff mixed for years and it works the best I feel & lasts significantly longer than either of the two medias by themselves. It shines up great in short order especially when they are fresh and new but even after a long time it just does a great job ! I'm to lazy to mess with the SS stuff,,don't need the extra step,,but then that's just me,,LOL I never noticed any residue from the red on the brass when they are mixed,,or if there is I don't pay attention,,LOL Anyways dam that's a great price on a decent tumbler markm,,I can always use a extra one,,will go check it out.

[markm]

Anyways dam that's a great price on a decent tumbler markm,,I can always use a extra one,,will go check it out.

I wish I'd come across the Berry's tumbler sooner. It's so smooth I can run it inside without driving me nuts. I've set it up by my press and tossed brass straight off the resizing die into the tumbler. This is with seasoned walnut that no longer kicks of a bunch of dust.

[Doc. Holiday]

Thanks for the report Markm. I am in the market of finally gathering my reloading equipment and have been trying to figure out what "starter" tumbler I should look into. I know a lot of folks love the SS, but I got to buy the other kit so I have limited funds of the bat. I will be looking into this myself.

[Doc. Holiday]

Hey Markm, what Berry's model did you get?

[markm]

Hey Markm, what Berry's model did you get?

The small one. The 400, I think. It's deceptively small. Runs rings around the others.

[sinister]

The Barry's 400 seems nice. When I tried the Lyman's with red rouge I found it in the actions of a few rifles -- and although I can't prove it I seem to think it contributed to some throat wear.

I've been abusing a Thumbler's Ultra-Vibe 18 since 1990.

I'm told this corn cob blasting media (available through Grainger or Fastenal, I think) doesn't stick in flash holes: https://www.zoro.com/value-brand-blast-media-corn-cob-14-to-20-grit-526020g-40/i/G1695775/

[markm]

When I tried the Lyman's with red rouge I found it in the actions of a few rifles -- and although I can't prove it I seem to think it contributed to some throat wear.


I believe it. I tumble a second time in plain media. That rouge sticks inside brass badly.

[Doc. Holiday]

I saw a few videos of guys comparing media and the red rouge powder was consistently left inside the cartridges. Seems like you are just teeing yourself up for just more work.

[T2C]

The small one. The 400, I think. It's deceptively small. Runs rings around the others.

If this is the unit you have https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/model-400, it looks like a good replacement for my worn 20+ year old Dillon tumbler. The Dillon unit is a bit noisy.

[hotrodder636]

I use a Hornady tumbler with corn cob media and couple drops of Flitz media polish/additive. I reload about 8 feet from the tumbler while it is running and I don't find the noise obnoxious otherwise it would be outside.

The corncob media with Flitz gets a good polish and doesn't stay in the brass after I shake it free.

[Chubbs103]

I use an RCBS tumbler. It was a gift from my Mom when I was first getting into reloading. It does exactly what I want it to do. It has done so for a number of years. I have used reloading specific media as well as lizard bedding. I don't care about super bright, but I do like my brass clean. I use a couple drops of Nu-Finish every one in a while. I also use a piece of USED dryer sheet to cut down on dust. If the dryer sheet is new it will leave residue in your media and on your brass.

Chubbs

[Doc. Holiday]

Good to know concerning the USED dryer sheet.

[markm]

Seems like you are just teeing yourself up for just more work.

No question. The stuff is interesting. But it gets all over my hands and stuff. I'm going to keep running it to see how long it takes for all the rouge to dust out of the media/bowl.