rotary tumbler with stainless pins

[bambam3960]

Does anyone have any experience with a rotary tumbler in combination with stainless pins/cleaning solution for cleaning brass?  My vibratory tumbler went TU yesterday and am considering a different method.  From the reviews I've read online the majority of them are more positive than the vibratory type tumblers generally get.  Any input or shared experiences would be much appreciated. 

[fly-by]

I have been using the Frankford kit that comes with pins for about a year now.  Very happy with it compared to the vibratory tumbler.  I just use a couple tablespoons of cascade and warm water and the brass comes out great.

[JimmyHoffa]

I seem to recall that the price of the pin set up was quite a bit higher than the vibrating older style.  I've looked at parts online to build your own and you can get the finished price down pretty low by using a motor and cage from old rock tumblers and then getting a good tub to roll in the cage.  Sometimes you can get jeweler's mix media for less than the stuff bagged as reloading mix.

[bambam3960]

I'm actually looking at the Frankfort kit... Does this method have any effect on brass life or is it similar to the corncob or walnut media?  Yes it is quite a bit more expensive than the vibratory set up but I'm thinking the longevity of the machine and the media may be greater as well as produce a cleaner end result.  My experience with the old style was the corncob media never seemed to clean the inside of the cases or primer pocket much and also tends to get stuck in the flash hole if decapped prior to tumbling.

[fly-by]

I'm actually looking at the Frankfort kit... Does this method have any effect on brass life or is it similar to the corncob or walnut media?  Yes it is quite a bit more expensive than the vibratory set up but I'm thinking the longevity of the machine and the media may be greater as well as produce a cleaner end result.  My experience with the old style was the corncob media never seemed to clean the inside of the cases or primer pocket much and also tends to get stuck in the flash hole if decapped prior to tumbling.

Cases do seem to be much cleaner.  Using corn cob or walnut there always seemed to be some residue that was evident when using case lube.

[JJB11B]

crushed walnut lizard bedding from the pet store is a cheap alternative.....

[fly-by]

Great deal on them just popped up:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product//B00HTN4R6O?tag=slickguns-20

[carpsniperg2]

I have been using a rotary tumbler and stainless media for years. It's the best way to clean brass IMHO.

[bambam3960]

Thank you all for the input.  After reading the reviews and now hearing from you gents I will be upgrading.   

[b23]

I have been using a rotary tumbler and stainless media for years. It's the best way to clean brass IMHO.

X2!

Been using it since 2008 in a Thumler Tumbler.  The SS pins will never wear out and the brass comes out, literally, looking like it's brand new.  After using this type of setup, I couldn't imagine ever using anything else.  It really does work that well.

[bambam3960]

Do any of you guys use the magnet to handle the media or is that really needed?

[fly-by]

Do any of you guys use the magnet to handle the media or is that really needed?

It's very helpful, and they are cheap.  If you spill some pins, it's about the only way to collect them.

[dontgetcrabs]

Do any of you guys use the magnet to handle the media or is that really needed?

A lot of ss is not magnetic. Not sure how effective a magnet would be?

[high country]

The magnet works fine. I use the pins in a tumblers tumbler. I use water and dawn....nothing else. When I pull them out they go on a dehydrator for 20 mins or so.....clean as new, dry and ready to go.

I have a couple vibratory tumblers and even an electric cement mixer......the pins pretty much make them obsolete.

[carpsniperg2]

I use the dehydrator as well

One other trick is: There is a product called lemishine "spelling" that will help prevent tarnish from hard water.

[hookr88]

Can you remove the primer first with this cleaning system, or do you still have to leave the primers in ?

[JimmyHoffa]

Can you remove the primer first with this cleaning system, or do you still have to leave the primers in ?

Most remove them first.  The stainless pins are small enough to clean the primer pocket. 

[carpsniperg2]

Yep. I like to resize and de prime so the brass is ready to load after cleaning.