Rotary Tumble cleaning stainless pins - solution

[fra150l]

I have taken the plunge and bought a rotary tumbler - stainless pins, will be using for smokless and black powder cases.

Before I go an buy off the shelf solutions have been looking for some home made - which I prefer. Lots on the internet but most for US products. Have searched here and found:

half a teaspoon of cream of tartar
lemon dish washing liquid
dishwasher rinse aid
good squirt of lemon juice

or is there a really good off the shelf product I should get?

Interested in what others may be using especially in hard water area.

Thanks, Tim

[dodgyrog]

I know Phaedra uses cheap washing up liquid with 1/2 teaspoonful of citric acid powder in when tumbling my brass for me.
He finishes rinsing with a small squirt of rinse aid
The brass comes out really shiney

[shoppe]

all you need is just washing up liquid, I use asda own make and it is perfect

[phaedra1106]

As above, 2 squirts of Asda Lemon washing up liquid (90p 1L) and about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of citric acid crystals (cheap on eBay).

Don't use more citric acid than that, people say use more to brighten up the brass, all it's needed for is to soften the water which then allows the pins and detergent to do a better job.

After tumbling and getting the pins out rinse well, add a small amount of rinse aid to the final rinse to prevent water spots then dry, I use a Halogen oven, 80c for about 20min for a pizza tray full of cases.

[Daryll]

.....
After tumbling and getting the pins out rinse well, add a small amount of rinse aid to the final rinse to prevent water spots then dry, I use a Halogen oven, 80c for about 20min for a pizza tray full of cases.

Slightly off topic, I assume rinse aid would also help after ultrasonic cleaning...?? I like the way U/S cleaning get my cases clean, but i do end up with tarnishing water spots on the cases, even after putting them in a 100 degree oven for 10-15 mins..

[phaedra1106]

Indeed it should :)

Another tip, after rinsing (I use a 2L jug) shake the jug a few times and tip more water out, block the spout with your hand to stop the cases escaping!.

Do that a couple of times and you'll get most of the water out, after that I use a hand towel, put the cases in the middle, fold it over so they're like a stone in a sling and whip it round at speed, centrifugal force will get even more water out :)

p.s. just make sure there's no holes in the towel or you'll get cases escaping and flying out at great speed and killing anything walking past!!

[Mattnall]

all you need is just washing up liquid, I use asda own make and it is perfect

As above, any washing up liquid will do.
Add half a teaspoon of citric acid to reduce the harness (and marks on drying) if needed.

And finally a good rinse out before popping in the oven at less than 210F until dry.

[rox]

1 Tablespoon Meguiar's Ultimate Wash and Wax.
1 Teaspoon Citric Acid powder.

Above quantities are for a Thumlers model B tumbler.

The wash & wax cleans well & prevents tarnish - I think it leaves a hard polymer thin-film coating; non-sticky, so it won't contaminate powder or stick kernels to the brass.
Citric acid helps to clean and I believe it also passivates brass, an additional surface protection.

I used to add rinse-aid to the final rinse to prevent water spotting, but now don't bother. I tumble them in a towel (holding each end, like polishing a bowling ball), which removes surface water, then leave in a warm place for an hour.

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[bradaz11]

I use pine of the food dehydrater type brass dryers to finish dry mine.

Any tips on separating the pins? That's the most tedious part for me

[rox]

Any tips on separating the pins? That's the most tedious part for me

Not really. I sometimes use a media separator, and worry slightly that there may be a pin left clinging to the inside of a case, but mostly pluck them out of the final rinse bowl so they are fully immersed mouth down, between 2 & 4 at a time, with a flick and a shake to remove pins and excess water. Only takes a couple of minutes or so for 100 cases. If you find a better way let us know!

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