| Stainless Steel Pins - Tumbling Media questions [message #19750] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 11:13  |
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cajuntec
Messages: 1250
Registered: November 2009
Location: Williamsburg, VA
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I've heard this stuff works really well, but after reading some stuff on Facebook this morning, I'm not so sure it's worth it. The initial advertisement I saw for stainless steel pins as tumbling media kind of bashed on using corn cob, walnut, and ultrasonic cleaners. It made it sound "easier" than those other methods, with better results. The ads pushed that it would get them cleaner and with less hassle, as the pins supposedly clean inside and out and fall through the flash holes so there is no residue.
But then I read that when you are using the media separator, the bottom should be filled with water so that the basket is being submersed when you are rotating it. HUH?  So, not only am I getting my brass wet again (which will leave water spots on them when I put them up to dry), but I also have wet media, which means I need to dry it before I use it again.
My method is to start out with the Hornady Ultrasonic cleaner. I find it cleans my brass inside and out very well. Sometimes, the primer pockets aren't perfectly clean, but I have a RCBS prep station that makes my primer pockets look like new anyway. After they have been cleaned with the ultrasonic cleaner and dried, I put them in my Hornady Tumbler. Some people claim it's not a tumbler, but actually a vibrating media cleaner. I assure you - they tumble in there. A lot. 
My brass comes out looking like new, or better in some cases. I've got brass that's so shiny, it makes factory loads look weathered.
Now, I also mentioned the tumbler above. I don't actually have what is considered a tumbler, although mine does tumble media. The stainless steel pins require an actual tumbler, which I have to say, it quite a bit more expensive than the vibrating kind that I have. ($100 to $300 more, depending on whether you are going with a Thumlers or RCBS).
So... Worth it, or not? I'd really like to hear from someone who has used both methods - Stainless Steel pins alone, and also the Ultrasonic followed by corncob or walnut media way. Do you really see a difference, and is that difference worth the additional cost?
One last question - They claim that the stainless pins won't damage the brass. I'm skeptical. Anybody see damage from using them?
All the best,
Glenn
If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
[Updated on: Mon, 18 February 2013 11:14] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Stainless Steel Pins - Tumbling Media questions [message #19765 is a reply to message #19763] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 16:17  |
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From what I understand about the media is you have to keep it in solution with water, and the media will wash out of the cases. I have also read that you can use it in a vibrator type tumbler but have to keep the level below the holes, so the solution does not leak out. I am going to just pick up some more walnut media and stick with my Lyman vibrator, at least for now.
Mr. Murl
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Molan Labe
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