Dry media in a rotary tumbler (Read 2995 times)

Kalikikopa

Dry media in a rotary tumbler
« on: February 03, 2022, 03:14:46 PM »
Just curious, has anyone tried using like walnut or corn cob in a rotary tumbler? I use a rotary tumbler, dawn and lemishine. I love the results  but I'm trying to find a good way to coat the cases with wax. I think I'm going to try some walnut shells and nu finish in my tumbler. Just wondering if anyone else has tried

ren

Re: Dry media in a rotary tumbler
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2022, 03:22:07 PM »
I have tried Nu Finish in a vibe tumbler with corn cob. I read that Nu Finish is a polish and doesn't leave behind any protective coating so I use Turtle brand car wax. I did not try it in my FART.
Deeds Not Words

powder monkey

Re: Dry media in a rotary tumbler
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2022, 08:30:10 PM »
Charcoal lighter fluid
used thumbler tumbler with corn cob media.

Inspector

Re: Dry media in a rotary tumbler
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2022, 03:03:29 AM »
Just curious, has anyone tried using like walnut or corn cob in a rotary tumbler? I use a rotary tumbler, dawn and lemishine. I love the results  but I'm trying to find a good way to coat the cases with wax. I think I'm going to try some walnut shells and nu finish in my tumbler. Just wondering if anyone else has tried
My own personal opinion is I don’t want my cases coated inside and out with wax. Because if you are trying to coat them with wax using a tumbler then you cannot stop the inside from getting the coating as well. Just doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. But that is only my opinion and should not reflect on what you want to do.

I tried Nu Finish in my vibratory tumbler (I don’t own a rotary tumbler) many years ago and I got decent results. I was looking to polish my brass more than apply a coating. I believe that is what I got with Nu Finish  if my memory is correct. I got nice shiny brass but I don’t recall there being a coating on the brass. I prefer my brass be clean and free of anything that might actually coat it. Again, this is just my opinion.

Other things I have tried over the years:
1. Brasso - I recommend not using this product. It did only an okay job but it can deteriorate your brass over time and it leaves the media (for a lack of a better term) in bad shape. Needing more and more product to be added every time. And the results were only so-so to okay.
2. Lyman media reactivater - It looks and feels like a polish similar to Nu Finish but to me it did not do a very good job. it also coated the inside of the bowl of my tumbler and it was very hard to clean out. After a few tries I tossed it out. Also, if I remember correctly it had a weird smell sort of like diesel fuel.
3. RCBS media polish - Again sort of like Nu Finish. It did a decent job but like most products it requires more and more product to be added to do a good job.
4. Charcoal Lighter Fluid and Mineral Spirits - These are now my go to products when I use my tumbler. They clean the brass and don’t leave a coating or even a smell on my cases and/or cartridges.

I basically have stopped tumbling my cases before loading. I tumble my cartridges after loading and they come out looking quite nice.

Let us know what you find.
SCIENCE THAT CAN’T BE QUESTIONED IS PROPAGANDA!!!

oldfart

Re: Dry media in a rotary tumbler
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2022, 08:06:46 AM »
I have tried Nu Finish in a vibe tumbler with corn cob. I read that Nu Finish is a polish and doesn't leave behind any protective coating so I use Turtle brand car wax. I did not try it in my FART.
....
Of course,  Nufinish leaves a slippery coating. Or it wouldn't be a very good car polish.
I am hesitant about applying too much of anything to my brass.
I was using a rotary red thumbler 43 years ago with walnut shell and jeweler's rouge.
It was the defacto standard at that time.
I don't like wet tumbling just because the thought of water in the shells makes me queasy.
Today, I've settled with a corn-walnut mix with a polishing agent.
Polishing agents could include specialty products from Lyman or Dillon.
Or you could use Mother's Mag wheel polish, or similar fine abrasive product.
To top it off, I squirt some charcoal lighter fluid into the mix.
What, Me Worry?

Kalikikopa

Re: Dry media in a rotary tumbler
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2022, 10:09:36 AM »
Thank you all.  I tried adding some shells to a f. A. R. T. )Franklin aresenal rotary tumbler) filled with walnut media and about a tablespoon of car polish. Seemed to do a nice job of chatting them nice, clean  and presentable.  Will see if they discolor in time ctha k you for all your great advice.