7mmmountaineer
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Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521 
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on May 23, 2015 9:36:24 GMT -5
I am finally going to break out my Thumblers since it has been sitting in its box for the last year and a half I think it is about time I use it. I just picked up 4 buckets of range brass  it is the usual for here 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 30-06, 308, 38spl, 357, 40 S&W and 45acp mostly. This stuff is really crappy looking so I am gonna wet tumble it in small batches sorted by caliber. Just got my Lemi Shine from my new favorite internet supplier Mid South Shooters Supply along with 2 #5 bag of stainless media. So who else dose this and what is the ration or Dawn to Lemi Shine that you use? Any tips you can share with me. |
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Post by hacker54 on May 23, 2015 11:06:44 GMT -5
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gws
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Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on May 23, 2015 20:07:54 GMT -5
I use a 2 second squirt of Dawn, and a 45 ACP case full of Lemishine, for one load using 5 lbs of S.S. pins, in one gallon of water. I cut a 2 liter pop bottle six inches high for a brass measure. This recipe was posted in AR15.com by the moderator, and it worked perfect for me. Result? Big ear to ear smile and brass that hurts eyes.  |
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mule
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Post by mule on May 23, 2015 21:08:34 GMT -5
I use a .40 S&W case to measure and dispense Lemi-shine. 5 or 6 drops of Dawn is all I use.
I use the wet pin tumbler quite a bit. I still keep a vibrator tumbler for small batches.
For those uninitiated in tumbling, it is important to sort brass by caliber or you will be doing a lot of digging and cussing. a 25 fits into a 32 fits into a 9 fits into a 40 fits into a 45.
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gws
Member
Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on May 23, 2015 21:21:40 GMT -5
If you can get away with Mule's recipe go for it. Depends on how hard your water is. Here, I wouldn't get bling in 8 hours with that. As it is it takes 4 hours in my high speed Thumbler's Tumbler. If, after a session, your water doesn't look like this and your brass isn't blinged, you need to add more Dawn.  |
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mule
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Post by mule on May 24, 2015 7:11:18 GMT -5
GWS,
You are certainly correct about the water, something I had not considered. Because I am on a well, I also have a water softener.
After a 3 hour run, the water I pour off is as dark as strong coffee. I am reluctant to pour it on the ground for fear it my poison some poor grass munching critter.
I would add more detergent before adding more lemi-shine. I fear the caustic nature of lemi-shine, if overdone, could attack the brass much as ammonia does.
Your mileage may vary.
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Post by erjdriver on May 24, 2015 11:07:10 GMT -5
Also be aware that after 10 tumbles or so, your brass might not come out "bling" shiny, as shown above. I had about 4.5 lbs. of .45 ACP brass that needed tumbling this weekend. I did 1.5 lbs. in the Thumler's Model B I bought some time ago and the rest in my new Extreme Rebel 17. The brass from the new Extreme Rebel 17 (with brand new pins) came out like DA BOMB; looked like brand new brass from Starline. But the brass that tumbled in the Model B had a dull, goldish finish to it. I used the exact same "recipe" of water, soap, and LemiShine in both tumblers and they both tumbled for 4 hours. I rinsed them exactly the same at the same time, but the difference is plainly evident...I wish I knew how to post the pictures I took.  The instructions say to run a cleaning cycle with just water and Simple Green cleaner after 10-15 tumbles. I'm going to run a cleaning cycle in my original Model B, run another batch of brass and see if the Simple Green cleaning remedies that problem. I'll let y'all know... ETA:Mule.....I agree with you 100%. Do not add more LemiShine...add more detergent. |
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on May 25, 2015 20:00:28 GMT -5
Cool thanks fellas I will get started on that this week.
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Post by erjdriver on May 26, 2015 10:35:00 GMT -5
UPDATE:FYI...per the instructions on the SSM website, I ran the Simple Green cleaning cycle in my Model B Sunday afternoon. I ran batches of 9mm yesterday and they did come out looking better than before the cleaning. So it does help to keep the pins and barrel maintained with a Simple Green cleaning if your brass starts to come out looking fairly yellowish in color instead of bright and shiny. ETA:7mm.....if you're getting a tumbler, I'd HIGHLY recommend the Extreme Rebel 17. It can handle twice the brass as the Model B and the base/roller unit is REALLY solid. The lowest price I've found is actually from SSM: www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/reloading-products/tumblers/extreme-tumblers-rebel-17.htmlHave fun!!!
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on May 26, 2015 20:14:08 GMT -5
ER I have a Thumblers Mod B. Not that after tomorrow I will get to do to much with it the next few weeks LOL.... Anyway if I decide I need another I will give the one you have a good look.
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Post by erjdriver on May 27, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -5
ER I have a Thumblers Mod B. Not that after tomorrow I will get to do to much with it the next few weeks LOL.... Anyway if I decide I need another I will give the one you have a good look. Ahhh...forgot the fact that you already have a Model B....DUH! Reading comprehension ain't my strong suit.  |
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hal8337
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Posts: 89
Location: Livonia, Louisiana
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Post by hal8337 on May 28, 2015 11:50:03 GMT -5
I started using this system last year and an happy to say to does everything it says it does. I no longer clean primer pockets. I would suggest a media separator & a quick release magnet which I found at harbor freight for 10 dollars. The pins seem to get lodged in the small cases (223,243) and the separator does a good job of removing them. I use a teaspoon of each (dawn/lemon shine) and tumble for a couple hrs.
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on May 28, 2015 15:39:19 GMT -5
Ok since I can do this one armed I have run 2 cycles today one with 100pcs of 308 and one with 100pcs of 270 they look real good and shiny. I wound up running full 4 hr cycles on these and they are drying as I type this. I did purchase a magnet just in case but didn't need it on these cases. I used a half teaspoon of Lemi Shine and a teaspoon of Dawn both times. I might go with a teaspoon of each next round. Oh I will still run a short trip on these in my Hornady M2 vibratory case cleaner to see if it makes a difference.
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Post by erjdriver on May 28, 2015 20:15:41 GMT -5
If your brass comes out with a pink tint, you've used too much LemiShine.
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bob
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I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on May 28, 2015 22:18:20 GMT -5
I have but one question, what was the matter with the "old fashioned" way with either a vibratory or tumbling cleaner with corn or walnut shells? In reading this and other posts the "new" system seems to take longer for little gain.
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on May 29, 2015 1:00:00 GMT -5
Bob it cleans every thing inside and out. Primer pockets look almost factory new sane with the inside of the cases. I am doing these cases so I can try to move them later on. This way once I FL size them I do not have to clean all those primer pockets.
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on May 29, 2015 10:44:14 GMT -5
OK, that is all well and good clean inside and out, how do you guarantee absolutely no moisture or residue contamination inside of any bottle necked cartridge. Also does it really make a difference in performance? I'm not trying to be an old fuddiduddy(I probably am anyway) just trying to find out if it fits my needs.
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on May 29, 2015 15:35:51 GMT -5
Bob on days like the last couple here I air dry them in the sun for several hours or if like Ken you make a rack you can dry them with a hair dryer. I also rinse them 3 times with hot water before setting them out to air dry. Difference in performance I don't know haven't done any this way for myself yet. These are all being done to be either sold or used a trade chips. I have a decapping die I use just to remove primers and I will annea, FL size and trim in batches as needed. All this brass when done will be separated by caliber and manufacturer vac sealed and packed into one of a couple totes till needed.
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on May 29, 2015 16:46:02 GMT -5
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gws
Member
Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on May 30, 2015 22:17:50 GMT -5
There's one other thing some guys are doing....you may think anal, but here it is: 1. deprime all their pistol brass with a Lee universal deprimer 2. Wet tumble for the better than new bling. 3. Lube and size 4. resurrect the dry tumbler and tumble only for 15 minutes with fresh corncob spiked with Nufinish. (using the small 20/40 grit to keep the flash holes clear) This step leave a slight anti-tarnish film on the brass. 5. expand, charge, seat, and crimp as normal. Result: They say better than new that stays better than new for long term storage. Does it work as they say?.....shucks I don't know, I do it for the bling....I never load for armageddon.....I'm just addicted and attracted to light.  Related to moths I expect. |
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Post by krwada on Jun 1, 2015 14:42:34 GMT -5
OK ... for those of you who cannot wait. CTECH Glass makes some really nice polypropylene drying racks. Here is a link for the CTECH drying racksTumble, rinse, set on rack and with a hair dryer you should be good to go in short order. |
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Post by springfieldxdm on Jun 1, 2015 17:37:08 GMT -5
Use an old food dehydrator, they can be picked up at garage sales for 5 bucks or so.
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Post by hacker54 on Jun 1, 2015 23:27:35 GMT -5
Springfield has a good suggestion but if you can't find one of those you can get the one made for/by Frankford Arsenal and it is just like a food dehydrator www.btibrands.com/product/brass-dryer/ or buy a food dehydrator to do the brass in. |
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Post by springfieldxdm on Jun 2, 2015 18:31:08 GMT -5
$80 for a dehydrator.....wow! My 5 and 10 dollar dehydrators are a bargain.
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Post by isparky44 on Aug 21, 2015 22:25:31 GMT -5
Time to chime in here. I finally broke down and got a Frankford Arsenal from Mid-South. It was on sale for $164.99, I got the media separator, and the quick release magnet as well, $211.03 shipped to my door. I have not had the opportunity to try it yet as priority projects are consuming my days right now. The unit looks smaller than it really is in the pictures, on their website. But it indicates it is a 30 pound tumbler (water, pins and brass). I will definitely put the weight value to the test, in fact I have a knack for pushing limits like this. It comes with 5 pounds of SS pins and sifter caps for both ends of the drum. Has a 3 hour timer, and come with a sample of F.A.'s version of the cleaner. Looking at the product it looks fairly stout, soon as I get some time to test it, I will post the results here. Going to try and make some brass to feed it this weekend, Its not supposed to be so hot for once, high of 80 tomorrow and Sunday...Perfect! |
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Post by hacker54 on Aug 21, 2015 22:37:17 GMT -5
isparky44,
Please report on how your unit does as I am also looking at the Frankford unit aswell the son-in-law is.
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mule
Member
Retired. Sales
Posts: 96
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Post by mule on Aug 22, 2015 9:21:23 GMT -5
The Frankford Arsenal tumbler is the one I use. It was a fathers day gift from my children. They take good care of me.
No complaints with the product. The quick release magnet is a blessing.
Rereading this thread, I will have to try a batch using Simple Green to compare results.
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Post by isparky44 on Aug 23, 2015 21:00:11 GMT -5
Gary I will report very soon, Whip2111 is supposed to bring in a large lot of brass for me tomorrow, he too wants to see the results before he ultimately pulls the trigger. I cant wait to try it out either so I hope he remembers tomorrow. I just hope my wife doesn't miss the pilfered bottle of Dawn! LOL  We got a new German Shepherd puppy recently, I may just have to blame it on her! "Good doggy now go get me some Lemi-Shine".  |
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Post by lexusmgr on Aug 24, 2015 20:29:49 GMT -5
Wet tumbling with SS pins seem to be the latest rage. I have not gotten around to doing it yet. Have to find a Thumler on sale somewhere. But, I do use a wet solution for cleaning really dirty brass. I'm talking about what gets picked up from the Club in the Everglades. It has been in the mud and dirt for awhile and it's actually colored like mud. I use hot water, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt and a squirting of Dawn liquid soap. Then I just agitate and swish around for a few minutes and let sit for 20 minutes. Them simply dump out brass and rinse with clean water. Once dry, it goes in the regular Walnut media with a cap full of Dillon Rapid polish. It may not be perfect, but it works well for me.
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Post by isparky44 on Sept 27, 2015 0:04:04 GMT -5
Gary, And all others interested, I finally got to try it out. After reading on here about the hard water, I looked into a water cooler/hot water dispenser. I found one for $16.00 on one of the local "scratch & dent" auctions, its definately scratched and dented but functions just fine. It takes the standard water cooler jugs. I do all my reloading in my barn so I thought it would be nice not to run back & forth to get more water, etc. The directions said to clean it initially with hot water and vinegar, so I did. I loaded in the first batch of .223 approximately 500 pieces, and about a tablespoon of each, lemi & dawn. The brass was very grungy, but I was impressed after about 2 hours it was looking very good, I like the clear end caps as you can see the progress, although the pins seem to be working well on them also as they are starting to become slightly opaque, I suppose time will take its toll on them. After the 3 hour cycle I put the Brass in the media separator (strongly advise to have). I gave it 20 or 30 spins and dumped my brass in a plastic tray, and rinsed with the water cooler water, I found ZERO pins left in the brass. It was beautiful, for about 5 minutes! Almost immediately after it hit the air, I noticed the brass was turning darker and darker, & was developing "leopard spots". I, to say the least was horrified, and felt that I had thrown $200.00 plus, out the window! I thought maybe too much of the lemi-shine at first. Then it occoured to me that the vinegar is probably the culprit, as it is and acid base. So I started over with less lemi-shine and my HARD water from the house. I ran the batch for an hour this time and observed, after about 15 minutes it was looking great again! So I rinsed it with hard water, and set the brass on aluminum cookie sheets, tossed them into my convection oven to dry. Don't try this either! The aluminum reacts to the brass or vice versa, and VIOLA spots on the brass where it sat on the aluminum! Start over again...LOL! I found a nice Dehydrator on E-Bay and it will be here next week, $30.00 Delivered. Next batch was about 500 pieces of 5.56 that I had swaged the crimps, I put a sticky note on the unit to remind me that it was mil-spec and already swaged. I had a hand full of change that was kinda nasty, so I threw it in the mix, figured what the heck, I might as well clean that up too, set the timer and commenced to mowing the lawn. when I got done the batch was done for roughly an hour. I took it up and rinsed it and noticed a reddish tint to the brass, as well as the dimes, nickles, and quarters! That Lemi-shine is some wicked stuff! Long story short, I will throw a hand full of pennies in my 5.56 brass, and my .45 acp with the small primers, making the sorting process much, much easier! So Far I like this method, just a bit of a "learning curve" to get around! I think I should seek a patent on the pennies! |
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it is the usual for here 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 30-06, 308, 38spl, 357, 40 S&W and 45acp mostly. This stuff is really crappy looking so I am gonna wet tumble it in small batches sorted by caliber. Just got my Lemi Shine from my new favorite internet supplier Mid South Shooters Supply along with 2 #5 bag of stainless media. So who else dose this and what is the ration or Dawn to Lemi Shine that you use? Any tips you can share with me.
Related to moths I expect.
We got a new German Shepherd puppy recently, I may just have to blame it on her! "Good doggy now go get me some Lemi-Shine". 
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
