I bought an el-cheapo vibratory cleaner from Harbor Freight to clean brass. I am using the lizzard bedding (very finely crushed walnuts) as a medium. Ran a good amount of brass for about 6 hours. The outside of the brass is perfect. The inside, ehh, not so perfect. Does it really matter? Without doing a wet-clean, I don't see how to get the inside perfect. Primers are still in the brass.

 

Also, what scales are you guys using? Need to get one of those too.

I use the same media as you and tumble them for about 4 hours in my hornady tumbler. Outside gets so shiny its almost white. Inside is also still a little dirty, that's about the best your gonna get with a vibratory tumbler.

 

I use the RCBS 505 scale.

Mike, try squirting some car wax into the media and tumble it without cases for 5min first, then add your cases. They should come out way, way cleaner. Also, toss in a used dryer sheet when you put the brass in.

Did ya go to the new one on Rt18? I was there yesterday looking at them. They had a large wet/dry one for 149.00 and a smaller, much cheaper blue one. I think they also sold ceramic media but not sure if it's any good on brass.

 

Oh, and sorry i was absolutely no help at all.

+1 on the dryer sheet.

Thats as clean as it needs to be. You're really just trying to get any grit off that can damage your press.

You can go crazy trying to get them perfect but you won't see much gain in pistol.

If you are shooting precion rifle, getting the insides clean may help some.

 

Like Jon said a little nufinish in the mix gets the ousides like new.

 

Run a capful in JUST THE MEDIA for 15 minutes to get it mixed in good..

 

Only need to add the polish after changing media.

Agree with what everyone else said so far. As far as the dryer sheet though, I've found that it will remove the polishing compound (car wax or other) from the media. I only run a dryer sheet once in a while because the media needs to be recharged afterwards.

 

As for the scale, I also use an RCBS 5-0-5. I have a Lee scale also but it's not accurate (may be just mine), it's several grains off, so I don't use it.

Yes Nick, the new HF on RT18, Pet Smart used to be there. I figured I would try the cheaper unit, that other one is HUGE. I also didn't know if I would want a tumbler or vibratory cleaner. This thing is loud. I thought I would let it run over night but I don't think the neighbors would be thrilled. I can easily hear it with the garage doors closed.

 

Gotta pickup a strainer to sift all the media out of the brass now. Wife won't let me take her spaghetti strainer..... Like she's going to use it for something.

Go with the cabelas rotary seperator; cheap and effective.

I prewash the brass in dishsoap and water to get the powder residue off. This helps the media last longer.

 

The RCBS Chargemaster 1500 is my favorite scale out of the 3 (RCBS 505, Chargemaster 750 &1500) that I own. I use 2 while I'm reloading to spot check each other.

Ohaus triple beam.

I use the same lizard bedding its the cheapest! i also use dillon polish in the mix like a capful or two per every other cleaning and i use the old school trick to put a used dryer sheet in the crushed walnut to keep the dust down!

I use a mix of corn cobb and lizard bedding. The walnut is supposed to clean better and the corn cobb polishes better. I like to cut up the dryer sheet into 2" squares. The small pieces move around better.

 

Has anyone purchased the corn cobb media (drying agent really) from HF?

 

I use the Brian Enos electronic scale. Cheap, easy to use and it works.