How long to tumble brass is a common question among reloaders. The answer depends on several factors, including the type of brass, the desired results, and the tumbling media. With a little experimentation, most reloaders can find a tumbling method that works for them.
Advance Tips: How Long To Tumble Brass?
How long to tumble brass is a common question among reloaders. The answer can vary depending on the person’s brass tumbling method, desired results, and personal preferences.
There are many ways to tumble brass. Some people use a vibratory tumbler, while others use a rotary tumbler. The type of tumbler you use will affect how long you need to tumble your brass.
Vibratory tumblers are typically faster than rotary tumblers. They can clean brass in as little as 30 minutes. However, vibratory tumblers can be louder than rotary tumblers and can cause the brass to wear down faster.
Rotary tumblers take longer to clean brass, but they are quieter and cause less wear on brass. It can take anywhere from 2-8 hours to clean brass in a rotary tumbler, depending on the size of the tumbler and the amount of brass being cleaned.
Finally, personal preferences will play a role in how long you need to tumble your brass. Some people like to tumble their brass until it is shiny and new looking. Others are content with a less polished look. Tumbling times will vary depending on how polished you want your brass to be.
In general, most people will need to tumble their brass for 30 minutes to an hour to achieve desired results. Tumbling for longer periods of time will not hurt brass, but it is not necessary unless you are trying to achieve a very high level of polish.
How to get started tumbling brass?
- Choose a tumbler that will accommodate the amount of brass you have and that will fit the space you have available. A rotary tumbler is generally the best type of tumbler for brass.
- Select the media you will use to clean your brass. There are many types of media available, but crushed walnut shells or corn cob media work well for most applications.
- Fill the tumbler half full with brass and half full with media.
- Add water to the tumbler until the brass is submerged and the media is just damp. You don’t want the brass to be too wet, as this will cause it to tarnish.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to the water to help the media clean the brass more effectively.
- Turn on the tumbler and let it run for the recommended amount of time. Depending on the type of tumbler you have, this could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
- Once the tumbling cycle is complete, remove the brass from the tumbler and rinse it well with water.
- Allow the brass to air dry or dry it with a soft cloth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tumbling Brass
Tumbling brass is an essential part of the reloading process, as it ensures that the cases are clean and ready to be reloaded. This step-by-step guide will help you get started tumbling your brass in no time.
- Prepare Your Brass: First, you’ll need to prepare your brass. This includes sorting it by caliber, trimming it if necessary, and then cleaning it with a wet cloth to remove dirt and debris.
- Add Media: Once your brass is prepped, it’s time to add your media. This could include walnut shells, corncob, or ceramic media. Be sure to select the appropriate size for your caliber.
- Prepare Your Tumbler: Fill your tumbler with the media and brass and close the lid. Add the appropriate amount of water as specified by the manufacturer.
- Start Tumbling: Plug in your tumbler and turn it on. Depending on the size of your tumbler and the amount of brass, this process could take anywhere from an hour to several hours.
- Check Progress: Every so often, you should check on the progress of your brass. You can do this by periodically opening the lid and inspecting the brass.
- Empty and Dry: Once your brass is finished tumbling, it’s time to empty the tumbler and dry the brass. This can be done by laying it out on a towel or using a rotary tumbler dryer.
- Inspect: Once your brass is dry, inspect each piece for any remaining debris or dirt. If any is found, repeat the tumbling process.
The different types of brass tumbling media
There are several types of brass tumbling media that can be used to clean brass cases. The most common media are walnut shells, corn cob, and crushed glass. Each type of media has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A walnut shell is the most common type of media used to clean brass cases. It is relatively inexpensive and does a good job of removing dirt and grime from brass cases. However, the walnut shell is abrasive and can damage the brass if used too long.
Corn cob is another type of media that can be used to clean brass cases. It is less abrasive than a walnut shell and will not damage the brass. However, corn cob is more expensive than walnut shell and does not remove as much dirt and grime.
Crushed glass is the most expensive type of media used to clean brass cases. It is also the most abrasive and can damage the brass if used too long. Crushed glass does a good job of removing dirt and grime but is not recommended for use with delicate brass cases.
The best way to clean tumbled brass
Assuming you are talking about tumbling brass for reloading ammunition, the best way to clean tumbled brass is to use a media that will not damage the brass. This can be either corn cob media or walnut shell media. You will want to use a tumbler that has a separator so that the media can be reused.
Add the brass and media to the tumbler and add enough water to cover the brass. Run the tumbler for 3-5 hours. The longer you run the tumbler, the cleaner the brass will be. After the tumbling process is complete, empty the tumbler and remove the brass. Rinse the brass with clean water and dry it with a towel.
The pros and cons of tumbling brass
The pros of tumbling brass are that it can save time when reloading ammunition, it can clean the brass so that it can be reused, and it can also polish the brass to give it a nice finish. The cons of tumbling brass are that it can damage the brass if it is not done properly, it can be time-consuming, and it can be messy.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
This will depend on the size of your tumbler and the type of media you are using. A good rule of thumb is to fill the tumbler no more than 1/3 to 1/2 full of brass and media.
Again, this will depend on the size of your Tumbler and the type of media you are using. A general rule of thumb is to tumble for 1-2 hours.
There are many different types of media that can be used for tumbling brass. Some of the most popular include corn cob, walnut shell, and stainless steel.
Yes, you can use your Tumbler to clean other things, but you should only use media that is designed for tumbling.
Yes, you can add other things to your tumbler to help clean your brass. Some people add a small amount of dish soap to their tumbler to help remove any oils that may be on the brass.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get your brass tumbled and ready to reload, the process is pretty simple. Just make sure you have the right media, the right Tumbler, and the right settings. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to get your brass tumbled and ready to go in no time.
A. Wilcox Head is a lifelong shooter, hunter, and firearms enthusiast. Head grew up in a family where firearms were a way of life, and from an early age, he was taught the importance of firearm safety, accuracy, and proper hunting techniques.
