Dryer Sheet In the Polishing Tumbler

[Deplorable Me]

My wife brought this to my attention. (My wife looking at a reloading forum, is she having an affair?)

Anyways, throw a dryer sheet (used is okay) into your polisher next time your running brass and dry media. The dryer sheet picks up a lot of lead, carbon and grunge from the stuff you're tumbling. It also kills off the static electricity that makes the corn cob/walnut media stick to everything in the winter.

Wife getting pistol permit, reading reloading forums; not sure if I should be happy or afraid?

 

[speedkills27]

sounds like you hit the jackpot, she does the laundry and reloads all in one

 

[swilliams]

My wife brought this to my attention. (My wife looking at a reloading forum, is she having an affair?)

Anyways, throw a dryer sheet (used is okay) into your polisher next time your running brass and dry media. The dryer sheet picks up a lot of lead, carbon and grunge from the stuff you're tumbling. It also kills off the static electricity that makes the corn cob/walnut media stick to everything in the winter.

Wife getting pistol permit, reading reloading forums; not sure if I should be happy or afraid?

My first thought was that she's probably looking for gift ideas. But if she's getting her permit, too? Be happy. Very, very happy!!

 

[togmaster]

Don't worry be happy.

I put dryer sheets into my powder hopper after I empty it. Keeps away the static electricity that causes the powder flakes from flying around when you fill them.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Don't worry be happy.

I put dryer sheets into my powder hopper after I empty it. Keeps away the static electricity that causes the powder flakes from flying around when you fill them.

Never thought about into the powder hopper. When I clean my bench before reloading, last thing I do is wipe down the bench with a dryer sheet to cut dust and static. I use to do it in the office in the winter around the computer. I've learned two new tricks today.

 

[MilesTeg]

Don't put a new dryer sheet in the media only used. I also put a new dryer sheet in powder hopper during non use.

 

[nortatoga]

Benchrest shooters also use a used dryer sheet under their rifles on the front rest, so that the rifle slides back smoother then when they used baby power and cleaner.

 

[MilesTeg]

The bigger questions is who still dry tumbles? Get with modern times and go with a superior cleaning method, either ultra sound or wet tumbling!






I have been unsuccessful is starting a caliber war so why not a brass cleaning war?

 

[NYGuns]

Your wife looks at a reloading forum...You win, close the thread, shut it all down.

 

[kev74]

I have been unsuccessful is starting a caliber war so why not a brass cleaning war?

You've got to try harder. I tried both ultrasonic amd wet tumble, but the convenience of dry tumbling wins for me.

The ultrasonic wins hands down for cleaning guns and parts though.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

The bigger questions is who still dry tumbles? Get with modern times and go with a superior cleaning method, either ultra sound or wet tumbling!

• Wet tumbling is slower and requires more work. I could see a benefit for rifle, but not for pistol brass. I don't want to decap before cleaning. That's just an extra unnecessary step (for pistol).
• For dry tumbling I have found that corn cob is less dusty, and polishes better. The Frankfurt Arsenal branded bag served me well for years. I replaced it with cheap lizard bedding, and now it's dust city.
• For dry tumbling I place USED dryer sheets cut into 4 pieces with my media. Used sheets have more gaps in their fibers, and helps them pick up dust better. Unused sheets can help with static, but don't do as well with dust
• For powder droppers, I spray inside the hopper, and any mating surfaces with graphite. Let it dry, and then work the dropper 10-20 times empty. It prevents static buildup, and helps lube the surfaces for cleaner drops. Gunpowder already has some graphite in it for this reason.

 

[MilesTeg]

• Wet tumbling is slower and requires more work. I could see a benefit for rifle, but not for pistol brass. I don't want to decap before cleaning. That's just an extra unnecessary step (for pistol).
• For dry tumbling I have found that corn cob is less dusty, and polishes better. The Frankfurt Arsenal branded bag served me well for years. I replaced it with cheap lizard bedding, and now it's dust city.
• For dry tumbling I place USED dryer sheets cut into 4 pieces with my media. Used sheets have more gaps in their fibers, and helps them pick up dust better. Unused sheets can help with static, but don't do as well with dust
• For powder droppers, I spray inside the hopper, and any mating surfaces with graphite. Let it dry, and then work the dropper 10-20 times empty. It prevents static buildup, and helps lube the surfaces for cleaner drops. Gunpowder already has some graphite in it for this reason.

What about surgical quality brass? Sorry playing devils advocate. I personally use ultra sonic. The reason was I had no mentor when I started reloading. I had to learn about everything through the manual and online. At the time I started is when Hornaday first came out with their machine and everyone was raving about it. Therefore me not knowing anything I figured I would jump on the latest and greatest. So for me I started with wet cleaning and don't have the urge to ever try dry cleaning. I find if you have enough brass that wet cleaning is a non issue. I keep one of the BIG coffee cans full of cleaned brass at all times. If it ever dips below 3/4 of the way full I just run a new batch. Therefore drying time for me is negligible because I have enough ahead to keep me occupied. Plus a batch only take approx. 25 min to clean. As for as decapping before cleaning, well I kind of get it. Personally now I have a case kicker I can crank out enough brass for a cleaning batch in 10 min or less. Someday I would like to move to wet tumbling but right now my money is spent better in other areas.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Your wife looks at a reloading forum...You win, close the thread, shut it all down.

Not to worry, she hasn't found this man cave yet. We're safe for the moment.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Dry tumble/wet tumble. Actually I dry tumble, de-cap then ultrasonic clean. Just enough dry tumble time to clean up for the dies. I clean up the primer pockets and inside the brass with the ultrasonic. There's some grungy stuff inside that necked brass. If I need brass in a hurry I'll skip the ultrasonic. I do let the brass dry for a month or so. At any given time I have multiple hoards of brass dried and ready to reload though. Ultrasonic also cleans up the die lube nicely.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

What about surgical quality brass? Sorry playing devils advocate. I personally use ultra sonic.

I had a cheap UltraSonic unit that I killed because I left homemade acidic clearner in the pan. It ate right though the pan and onto my reloading bench. I dislike wet in general because I want to reload pistol in lots of 100-200. It's not difficult to decap the rounds, my old single stage press is setup permanently for that. But IMO it just adds more time to the process. If I had a wet tumbler maybe I would change my tune, since you can do some serious bulk. I did notice my dies ran a bit slower with brass that was "too clean" from the UltraSonic. Also, drying brass in front of a heater is fine in the winter, but in the summer I was relying on sunny days. I am not cooking "clean" brass in my oven.

I wouldn't say UltraSonic, Wet tumble, or dry tumble is the best. Each one is painful, you just have to find the one you'd live with.

 

[MilesTeg]

I had a cheap UltraSonic unit that I killed because I left homemade acidic clearner in the pan. It ate right though the pan and onto my reloading bench. I dislike wet in general because I want to reload pistol in lots of 100-200. It's not difficult to decap the rounds, my old single stage press is setup permanently for that. But IMO it just adds more time to the process. If I had a wet tumbler maybe I would change my tune, since you can do some serious bulk. I did notice my dies ran a bit slower with brass that was "too clean" from the UltraSonic. Also, drying brass in front of a heater is fine in the winter, but in the summer I was relying on sunny days. I am not cooking "clean" brass in my oven.

I wouldn't say UltraSonic, Wet tumble, or dry tumble is the best. Each one is painful, you just have to find the one you'd live with.

I only said best to stir up conversation and I agree the best option is what works for you.

I have read about the brass being too cleaning and running into problems. I avoided that by using Armor all wash and wax with a pinch of lemi shine. With the wax of the soap staying on the brass it avoids that issue with the added benefit of the brass looking better.

As far as drying I find it be a non issue. Winter time is easy shake it in a towel and put it in front of the heater. The summer I shake it well in a towel and place it next dehumidifier. I end up shaking the brass twice a day and by day 2 I'm usually good to go.

What also makes me OK with the long drying process is I keep a large amount clean at all times. I don't know if you've ever seen those tall Folgers coffee cans but I keep one of them full of clean brass. This is probably more than I could load in a month if I tried. I'm still on a single stage. If I were to guess the containers probably hold 3k 9mm, 1.5k-2k of 40, and 1K-1.5k of 45ACP.

 

[pjzwtl]

should be happy or afraid?

Be afraid...Be very afraid

 

[kev74]

I use lizzard bedding / walnut in my tumbler. A bit of mineral spirits (1/2 cap gull or so) keeps the dust down and helps cut through the grime.

 

[Darth]

TFW...wet tumble.

And to be honest, my current batch of wet tumbled brass is in need of attention.

OCD? Not really. Just the Match Game.






Dryer sheets (in this context) = no.

 

[Livefree]

Lizzard bedding with a squirt of liquid car wax !!

 

[Magnus]

I have been unsuccessful is starting a caliber war so why not a brass cleaning war?

TUMBLE WARS!

I'm tumblerless at the moment, but I have a jar full of corn cobb and a washing machine....

 

[HighlandLofts]

Any of you use the ceramic tumbling media from Harbor Freight on your brass?

 

[kev74]

Any of you use the ceramic tumbling media from Harbor Freight on your brass?

Its kind of big. I don't think it would clean inside the cases.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I see the box of it at Harbor Freight, didn't know the size of it.

 

[kev74]

There was a guy on the old forum who sold a bunch of small ceramic beads for tumbling. They worked ok, but were more of a pain in the ass than they were worth. You have to use the ceramic wet like stainless pins.

 

[Bushmaster]

My wife brought this to my attention. (My wife looking at a reloading forum, is she having an affair?)

Anyways, throw a dryer sheet (used is okay) into your polisher next time your running brass and dry media. The dryer sheet picks up a lot of lead, carbon and grunge from the stuff you're tumbling. It also kills off the static electricity that makes the corn cob/walnut media stick to everything in the winter.

Wife getting pistol permit, reading reloading forums; not sure if I should be happy or afraid?

LOL, my wife veggie gardens, said put dryer sheet it hat for Skeeters lol. You wanna trade? lol

 

[Bushmaster]

My first thought was that she's probably looking for gift ideas. But if she's getting her permit, too? Be happy. Very, very happy!!

ya he's good to go... White women shoot ya, clean fast kill. I like those Asian, Hispanic etc.. women, they knife cut ya up, slow pain death.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Once the weather gets nice I'll try out the Sonic Cleaner and the Stainless Steel Pin Tumbler. I am going to make up a 2X12 with 3" deck screws every square inch to put the brass on to air dry out on the picnic table when the sun comes back. I bought all of the stuff to use these other methods of brass cleaners.