cleaning cases for re-loading
Seems to me using a carburetor dip (like Berryman Chem-dip) would be a good way to remove powder fouling from cartridge brass prior to sizing and re-loading. . . any reason not to us it ? (the label on Chem-Dip lists only "-amine" components, no acids, stating it's "safe" for brass, aluminum and zinc alloys)
0
-
Kitchen table organic chemistry can lead to unforeseen outcomes, such as weakened cases or --- even worse --- death.
Your "brass" is contaminated with many trace elements, some of which could react with the unstable amines in your reagent. Without testing the cases & the dip, we have no way of knowing what will happen.
We've had pretty good results with tumblers & ground corn cobs cleaning our brass for many years. And, we know that it's safe. Doesn't seem to be any need to improve on that.
Neal0 -
Many people use a mixture of white vinegar and cold water to "pickle" and clean fired brass. It removes most oxidation and surface discoloration, but is nowhere near as good as cleaning in a tumbler/vibrator with crushed walnut shells and jeweler's rouge followed by a tumble with ground corncob for the cleaner finish. 0 -
I read recently, carb or brake cleaner containing chlorinated solvents
can produce Phosgene gas when subjected to heat and can be fatal in even small exposures. Don't mess with the stuff.
I broke down after many years of handloading and bought a vibratory case cleaner. Really, that's the only satisfactory way to prep brass.
Punch out the primers first to do the best job.
Don't size them first or you'll scratch the dies from grit.0 -
Tumbling it is, then. Thanks, gents !! 0 -
One more option; the new sonic cleaners offered by Lyman, Hornady and others. Saw several of them at the SHOT show and they seemed promising; quick and effective, including primer pockets, from what I could see. Haven't had a chance to try one at home yet but will get one soon. The tumblers, I have a Hornady, are noisy, take quite awhile, and media caught in the primer holes is a pain. Manageable, but why put up with it if the sonic cleaners work? 0 -
tumble.., tumble..,tumble..!!
i use a "Thumlers Tumbler" fill it 3/4ths full with brass, add water to fully cover brass, add a table spoon full of liquid "Tide" a teaspoon full of "Lemi-Shine" and two to four pounds of stainless steel pins, tumble for two to three hours your brass will come out shiny bright inside and out, just like factory new brass.
SS pins is the only media that will clean the entire brass inside and out plus the primer pocket if you de-prime first. i have tried every brass cleaning media there is and SS pins are the BEST !0 -
HINT, the crushed walnut shells at sporting goods stores is quite a bit more expensive than crushed walnut shells sold at pet supply stores. So, swing by Pet Mart or something similar and pick up a big sack. [:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
tumble.., tumble..,tumble..!!
i use a "Thumlers Tumbler" fill it 3/4ths full with brass, add water to fully cover brass, add a table spoon full of liquid "Tide" a teaspoon full of "Lemi-Shine" and two to four pounds of stainless steel pins, tumble for two to three hours your brass will come out shiny bright inside and out, just like factory new brass.
SS pins is the only media that will clean the entire brass inside and out plus the primer pocket if you de-prime first. i have tried every brass cleaning media there is and SS pins are the BEST !
+1 Why anyone would put up with the dust, noise, and extra work such as primer pocket cleaning or re-tumbling to polish NEVER ceases to amaze me. One hour with a Thumlers and you are good to go. [:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
tumble.., tumble..,tumble..!!
i use a "Thumlers Tumbler" fill it 3/4ths full with brass, add water to fully cover brass, add a table spoon full of liquid "Tide" a teaspoon full of "Lemi-Shine" and two to four pounds of stainless steel pins, tumble for two to three hours your brass will come out shiny bright inside and out, just like factory new brass.
SS pins is the only media that will clean the entire brass inside and out plus the primer pocket if you de-prime first. i have tried every brass cleaning media there is and SS pins are the BEST !
What model tumbler do you use? What size stainless pins?
Don't the steel pins beat up the brass cases?0 -
quote:Originally posted by iceracerx
quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
tumble.., tumble..,tumble..!!
i use a "Thumlers Tumbler" fill it 3/4ths full with brass, add water to fully cover brass, add a table spoon full of liquid "Tide" a teaspoon full of "Lemi-Shine" and two to four pounds of stainless steel pins, tumble for two to three hours your brass will come out shiny bright inside and out, just like factory new brass.
SS pins is the only media that will clean the entire brass inside and out plus the primer pocket if you de-prime first. i have tried every brass cleaning media there is and SS pins are the BEST !
What model tumbler do you use? What size stainless pins?
Don't the steel pins beat up the brass cases?
go here for answers to your questions about S.S. pin cleaning media http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/ be sure you click on the "Stainless Tumbling Media 5lbs".
i have a 45 y.o. model B, no the SS pins do NO harm to the brass, unless you leave the tumbler on too long.., which i did once, about 8 hours, when i poured out the water it looked like black metallic paint and the brass was dark color, kinda like old range brass, i re-tumbled it for about half hour and it came out looking like new factory brass.
like bartman45 said, "+1 Why anyone would put up with the dust, noise, and extra work such as primer pocket cleaning or re-tumbling to polish NEVER ceases to amaze me."
you will be amazed at the beautiful results.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments