media fine vs. course (Read 4328 times)

kekoa

media fine vs. course
« on: October 25, 2013, 05:46:37 AM »
Looking at Harbor freight for media. They have walnut in fine grade and course grade, which would be better for tumbling media to clean brass?

Anyone ever use lizard litter? Is it any good?

oldfart

Re: media fine vs. course
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2013, 06:46:58 AM »
Looking at Harbor freight for media. They have walnut in fine grade and course grade, which would be better for tumbling media to clean brass?

Anyone ever use lizard litter? Is it any good?
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Before mail ordering this stuff, explore your local options.
There are sandblasting business on Kauai. You might be able to score some walnut or corn cob from them.
A pet store might have corn cob or walnut shell animal litter.
Look for corn cob or walnut shell that that has granules NOT larger than grains of rice.
For a medium sized vibrating tumbler:
Add a little polishing cream (not wax). I have used Mothers Mag wheel polish. Add about 1/2 teaspoon per pound of media.
Add some charcoal lighter fluid. Maybe 3 squirts. Run the tumbler a few minutes to mix the polish and lighter fluid.
Add your brass

For each batch, squirt a little more lighter fluid.
Add a little more polish after about 5 batches.

Corn cob absorbs grease better. Walnut polishes faster. I mix both together to get the best of both worlds.
What, Me Worry?

ren

Re: media fine vs. course
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2013, 07:34:10 AM »
There's a sandblasting store in Mapunapuna
http://www.mrsandmaninc.com/about.html
I bought a 30 pound bag years ago. It is way cheaper than buying by 5lbs bag. Their customer service was great and will help you pick the coarse of the media. They had a handly chart.
Maybe you could organize a group buy.
Deeds Not Words

oldfart

Re: media fine vs. course
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2013, 08:41:54 AM »
There's a sandblasting store in Mapunapuna
http://www.mrsandmaninc.com/about.html
I bought a 30 pound bag years ago. It is way cheaper than buying by 5lbs bag. Their customer service was great and will help you pick the coarse of the media. They had a handly chart.
Maybe you could organize a group buy.
================
I bought a 50 lb bag myself. But Kekoa is on Kauai.
What, Me Worry?

kekoa

Re: media fine vs. course
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2013, 07:32:36 PM »
I checked the local pet shops and none have anything that I could use. Good idea on the sand blasting shops I am going to give em a call tomorrow and check on it. Kauai is nice but when you really need something, whoa man it is as hard as...fill in your favorite expletive.

oldfart

Re: media fine vs. course
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2013, 08:25:52 PM »
I checked the local pet shops and none have anything that I could use. Good idea on the sand blasting shops I am going to give em a call tomorrow and check on it. Kauai is nice but when you really need something, whoa man it is as hard as...fill in your favorite expletive.
==========
I grew up on Maui. I know exactly how it is to be on a neighbor island.
What, Me Worry?

baykahz

Re: media fine vs. course
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2013, 03:59:57 PM »
Walmart has HARTZ corn cob in the pet section for 5 or 6 dollars a bag cant remember. Its on the bigger side but works well for cleaning pistol cases 9mm, 357, 38, 45 etc. Used it for a couple of years now. But I think it would get stuck in rifle cases. Hope this helps.

Dolomite

media fine vs. course
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2013, 04:35:59 PM »
I used that same one and it does get stuck in rifle neck... Just hold brass against side of tumbler and it vibrates right out...