What Media For Shiny Cases?

[onesonek]

Walnut media for tarnished cases. They come out a darker hue, and it does more effectively address tarnish. Corncob media gives a brighter shine and a lighter hue, but it will not truly address tarnished brass or extremely dirty brass.

+1,,, and if they are not coming out shiney with treated CC media, then the teatment part is out lived it's usefulness. But like AzDak said, can be retreated.

I have used Walnut when the cases have been severly tarnished, but have switched the media to the corn cob to finish them further to a shiney finish. I also started with the treated corn cob media and used the additive after a while. Other than that I have not see an animal that wanted a case more shiney than that. None of my rifles object to them only being corn cob shiney either. Lol. I never really figured that there would be any other way to get them cleaner than the corn cob media. JMO

In the past I also used CC after Walnut, just to knock dust off. But really, the only case's I want shiney are the target loads, for the animal reason you alluded to. After once firing new brass for fire forming to my chamber, I use pure citric acid in a hot water solution, which also removes heavy crud and corrosion as well too.
With it, the brass is left dull but also passivated, which resists further tarnishing. In the end, reflects no light to alert the critters. Highly carboned up brass, I find it necessary, about a two minute tumble just to remove the loosened carbon after drying time however. But tarnish just disolves, and the bath only need about ten minutes, with a slight stir once or twice. That is mostly just to get the trapped air out.

 

[elkeater2]

I have to go find it, but for us tinkerers on a budget, this looked pretty good: A tumbler made from the motor and roller guts from a junk printer; container a heavy plastic (like nalgene) bottle; media is pieces cut from surplus 1/0 copper cable strands(wet solution). The cases look outstanding and the creator says the copper is holding up really well.
I have to search and find the site and thread. I look at 4-5 forums most days and don't recall which one it was on....
On handloadersbench.com under tricks, tips, inventions "I built a tumbler" thread....
EE2

 

[Dr. Vette]

I have to go find it, but for us tinkerers on a budget, this looked pretty good: A tumbler made from the motor and roller guts from a junk printer; container a heavy plastic (like nalgene) bottle; media is pieces cut from surplus 1/0 copper cable strands(wet solution). The cases look outstanding and the creator says the copper is holding up really well.
I have to search and find the site and thread. I look at 4-5 forums most days and don't recall which one it was on....
EE2

For a budget, what I actually use is this tumbler:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-rotar ... 67631.html

They also make a dual drum unit:
http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum- ... 67632.html

You can buy a pound or 2 of stainless media for each drum very inexpensively, and for batches of 20-40 cases (depending on caliber) it's a lot cheaper than the Thumler's unit. Media is $7/pound, or on sale for $34.99 for 5 pounds at Midway right now.

To tumble you use Dawn dishwashing detergent + a touch of LemiShine in each drum. Tumble away, and a few hours later you're good to go. I then use my air compressor to blow off each case before setting them in front of a fan to dry.

For the cost of the Harbor Freight unit it's hardly worth making your own, especially since a nalgene bottle will be a lot louder than the rubber drum of the HF.

 

[DrMike]

Good intel, Dr. Vette.

 

[russ808]

Fotis,
You will not regret this buy.
I use mine a lot...
Russ

 

[FOTIS]

Not looking forward to the water and drying part but I gotta admit I like the end results.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Not looking forward to the water and drying part but I gotta admit I like the end results.

If you look at the videos they show how to use a basket to spin the cases and remove the media and water. I just use compressed air to dry most of them followed by time in front of the fan.

 

[FOTIS]

Good Idea. Thanks