Tumbler ?

[jlm223]

Going to tumble some brass, I thought someone once told me not to use brass polish with ammonia in it, I am not for sure about this, have some brasso is it safe to use ? Would you put it in at the start of the process ?

 

[chipdog4]

No, it's not really good for the brass.

 

[DHolder]

While on the subject, what is a good additive, or what do you do to polish your brass? I've read about putting a dryer sheet in to keep down the dust, Turtle wax but it is the internet. I like to make mine real shiney, but I wonder about wear and tear. What say you?

 

[TGUNTER]

I just use it the way I buy it at the store maybe let it run longer and it comes out like new with exception maybe of the primer pockets which I do a little extra work on.

 

[Old Syko]

Amonia will cause brass to change its temper and become brittle if exposed for long enough periods. For a lot of years now all I've used is ground walnut hull with a good squirt of any liquid car polish. Add the polish with the machine running and allow it to run 5 minutes or so before adding your brass. Run for an hour or a little more and you get brass that looks like new, or better, and has a wax finish that helps to protect against contaminants that cause corrosion. The drier sheet does help to contain some of the dust and lead deposits from the spent primer compound.

Those who will tell you to run corn cob media and allow it to run overnight or some other extended period of time just haven't learned yet.

 

[mjrducky]

I don't use any brass polish, and they come out just fine. I do use the dryer sheet and it has removed the static with the media.

 

[jlm223]

Hey thanks for the tip on the car wax, I will give it a try, got the walnut media from pet smart this morning my daughter seen the bag she thought we got a bird.

 

[Mike_M]

Corn cob media. I have used the Frankford Arsenal polish, which is OK. Iosso gives high shine, but I believe it has some ammonia in it. My latest fave is Flitz, which gives high shine and low odor.

 

[WhitleyStu]

If you only have Brasso use it, but leave the lid of the tumbler off so the fumes can evaporate. I have over 17 loadings on brass polished with Brasso/walnut and no ill effects. Otherwise use car polish (or my favorite) Lyman Turbo Brite Brass Polish. When using the Lyman Polish the cases come out a little cloudy so I put the tumbled brass in a folded bath towel and roll the towel till the haze on the cases is gone.

 

[bobn911]

I use crushed walnut lizard bedding, nu-finish car wax, and a dryer sheet cut in strips. Works good and it's cheap. Later, Bob

 

[jlm223]

I tumbled 500-Pcs .223 brass used the crushed walnut I got from pet smart and some car wax I had, they looked really good and it was cheap, I will continue to use this process "Thanks for all the info"

 

[mospeada]

I've used liquid barkeepers friend and it shines them nicely, but anymore, I just buy Lyman pre-treated corn cob media for convenience.

 

[chipdog4]

Car wax works ok, but Dillon polish or Flitz tumbler additive really shine.
I would think if you use brasso on brass and use the brass until its life is up fairly quick, you should be ok. But if you use brasso and plan on hanging onto the brass for many years, you'll have problems.

In my new Thumlers Rotary Tumbler, all I've added is liquid dish shop and and water and the brass comes out amazing...

 

[IndyGunworks]

i use corncob media and flitz..... i dont like walnut hulls... while it does make short work of its its overly aggresive in my opinion.... i also have the luxory of tumbling brass for a very long time so i dont need it done in an hour.... i am on my same batch of corncob and flitz that i have been using for many many thousands of casings and its still working strong.

 

[gasman]

Lyman turbo boost for tumbling will cause the liner in a Thumler's Tumbler to swell. Don't do this.

 

[WhitleyStu]

Lyman turbo boost for tumbling will cause the liner in a Thumler's Tumbler to swell. Don't do this.

Are you refering to the vibratory or rotary Thumbler Tumblers? I use Lyman Turbo Brite Brass Polish in my Thumbler Tumbler Ultra Vibe18 and have not noticed any problem...

 

[kludge]

NuFinish works.

I use walnut media and reduce the tumble time. I just like it clean - I don't need a mirror finish