Case polishing

[1903Collector]

I'm in need of a new case polisher, I've always used a vibratory one but now that I need a new one I'm also looking at the rotary models. Any suggestions? pro's/con's? Are the rotary ones quieter?

Thanks.

 

[Golddiggie]

I picked up the Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler a while back. It came with the steel pins, which I've never even opened. Found out about Brass Juice and just started off using that. Stuff works REALLY well for the initial cleaning. Can't recommend the stuff enough. Also, drying in the oven on a sheet pan works well (I have a couple of 1/2 sheet pans that are pretty much dedicated to this). No need to get a dedicated drying unit unless you really want to. Having the built in timer on the thing is nice. Since it means you don't need to worry, as much, about leaving the thing running longer than intended. The water that runs out of the thing, once done, is pretty telling.

I did get a hand decapper to use for removing the primers for cases before running them through the tumbler. Takes some time, but you can do that pretty much anywhere you want.

I still have my old vibratory tumbler, since I can use that on loaded ammo IF I want to.

As for noise, the rotary units make a different sound than the vibrating ones. Not sure if it's any less (or more) noise since I let them run in the basement.

You might want to get a new vibrating unit as well. Since they both have their uses.

 

[walter62]

if you get the big Frank. Arsen. tumbler, the tank is lined with/ rubber.

The 'Lite' doesn't have that.

I use the Berry's vibrating tumbler, it has removable bowls

 

[Golddiggie]

Looks like the one I linked to earlier has the rubber lining in it (according to the description). No idea what the pins contribute to the noise produced when running. Since I've never used them. One less thing to need to worry about when taking care of the brass post cleaning.

 

[paulleve]

I've got the full sized Frankford Arsenal as well as the Lite version. The full size is larger, has a rubber coating inside to reduce noise, and a timer. It's great for big batches, but most of the time I'm putting 100-200 cases through the Lite version. I use the steel pins, some dish washing liquid, and a little Lemi-Shine. After a two hour tumble, the cases come out nice and clean!



I was in a rush and forgot to throw the pins in a few weeks ago and there was definitely a difference in how clean the cases were. When I added the pins and ran the tumbler for another cycle, the water came out dark gray/ black proving how much more the pins help out.

With a wet tumbler you'll need to dry the cases after tumbling. I towel them off and the use a Frankford Arsenal dryer, which is essentially a food dehydrator. A few hours at 120F and the cases come out dry and shining!

 

[akma]

I picked up the Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler a while back. It came with the steel pins, which I've never even opened. Found out about Brass Juice and just started off using that. Stuff works REALLY well for the initial cleaning. Can't recommend the stuff enough. Also, drying in the oven on a sheet pan works well (I have a couple of 1/2 sheet pans that are pretty much dedicated to this). No need to get a dedicated drying unit unless you really want to. Having the built in timer on the thing is nice. Since it means you don't need to worry, as much, about leaving the thing running longer than intended. The water that runs out of the thing, once done, is pretty telling.

I did get a hand decapper to use for removing the primers for cases before running them through the tumbler. Takes some time, but you can do that pretty much anywhere you want.

I still have my old vibratory tumbler, since I can use that on loaded ammo IF I want to.

As for noise, the rotary units make a different sound than the vibrating ones. Not sure if it's any less (or more) noise since I let them run in the basement.

You might want to get a new vibrating unit as well. Since they both have their uses.

If I may ask why you never used the the pins? The pins are a pain to separate and use a magnet to do it. Never heard of brass juice before. I've been using a little Lemi Shine with a dab of Dawn. The water comes out literally black.

 

[Fixxah]

I'm in need of a new case polisher, I've always used a vibratory one but now that I need a new one I'm also looking at the rotary models. Any suggestions? pro's/con's? Are the rotary ones quieter?

Thanks.

Thumblers is what I use for wet with pins and lemishine.

 

[paulleve]

If you use a media separator like this one from Frankford Arsenal, you'll be able to rinse the cases and get the pins separated from the brass pretty quiclky. I've run 4k rifle cases through FA tumblers and this separator, and have only found a pin left inside the brass a few times.

 

[Fixxah]

When finishing the wet cleaning, I make sure to get all the pins out then stand the brass up in a spam can and use a heat gun to dry them. It takes maybe five minutes to do each batch.
Never bothered to count how many are in the tumbler at a time because it is repeated until a couple thousand cases are done and ready for sizing.
I have a single stage for decapping and spend a couple hours at least while running the wet tumbler so there is less time wasted in the process.

 

[Golddiggie]

If I may ask why you never used the the pins? The pins are a pain to separate and use a magnet to do it. Never heard of brass juice before. I've been using a little Lemi Shine with a dab of Dawn. The water comes out literally black.

After learning about Brass Juice and how it works great without needing pins, before my first use, I just never bothered with them. Even though I had bought extra since it wasn't clear that the tumbler came with some.

With Brass Juice the cases come out very clean. Even the primer pocket is clean. IIRC that's what the pins are used for. Zero need to separate anything this way.

IMO/IME just get a bottle of Brass Juice and forget about the pins.

 

[whacko]

I'm in need of a new case polisher, I've always used a vibratory one but now that I need a new one I'm also looking at the rotary models. Any suggestions? pro's/con's? Are the rotary ones quieter?

Thanks.

Dry tumbler.....corn cob media.....a cap full of flitz brass polish. Done.

Flitz makes the brass shine and also provides a small amount of lubrication the cases go thru the resizer much better using flitz.

 

[paulleve]

I cleaned some brass today in the FA Lite and took a few pics of the process.

Cases straight from the tumbler into the media separator. Notice the pins to the lower left of the pic. A few spins and they're gone into the bin.


Brass in the FA dryer. After a few hours on low heat, they are dry inside and out. This batch consisted of 75 .30-06, 50 7.62x 54R, and 100 .223 casings, which is about the max for a FA lite.


A closeup of some primer pockets. They always come out clean!

 

[steve8140]

I have a dry vibratory tumble that works well. I like it for pistol cases and the dust helps keep the cases somewhat lubricated.

I have the FART (frankford arsenal rotary tumbler) full size and it works great for large batches and does a better job than dry tumbling.

Both are acceptable, but it depends on the volume you do and what kind of case prep is needed.

If you dry tumble, wear a mask and dump it outside with the media seperator.

 

[gerrycaruso]

I have both but usually clean brass in the rotary one. Mine is the Thumbler model B. The vibratory type allows you to load the brass as soon as it comes out of the cleaner because it's dry. The rotary type with the pins and water cleans the brass much better and faster but it comes out wet and must be dried before you can load it.

 

[BTSDOG]

After i wet tumble, i dump brass in a large 30 gal. Tupperware with screened holesin the bottom. It fits perfect in the deep tub sink in my basement. Rinse it all down with cold water to get rid of suds, then dump into large dillon media seprator. Cases stay in hopper, remaining pins fall into tub. Then they all go into an air fryer @ 215 deg. for two hours. Nice and dry and shiny.
And make sure to check the ingredients on anything you use to clean the brass. Ive seen some cleaners that have ammonia in it. Thats a big NO GO ! Ammonia will eat and weaken brass......just so you know......

 

[LakeTrout]

If you dry tumble, wear a mask and dump it outside with the media seperator.

I would go one step further and say run and dump your tumbler outside only