what does everyone use for tumbling?

wet or media tumbler?

any advantages or disadvantages to either one?

I use corn cob and walnut shells and occasionally some polish. I prefer it because I don't have to wait for cases to dry. And it is VERY important your cases are dry inside BEFORE you reload them. It takes a little longer and I probably don't get as great results as those who use the wet methods.

One other thing I prefer about using dry media is after I use lube on my cases I have to wipe them off. A buddy of mine got a very small amount of lube inside some of his cases and the powder did not ignite. So it turned out to be a messy squib load with unburned powder all over the place. After learning from his mistake I always throw my cases back in the tumbler after sizing if I use lube. I know it is an extra step but it is something I do just to be safe. In all my years I have had only one squib load. And it was my fault (no powder).

Used to use dry, but now I wet tumble with SS pins and never looking back!

Check out this thread that drifted a bit . . . http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=4337.0  and check out Ren's pics.

corn cob and walnut with polish and some petroleum solvent and used dryer sheets.

corn cob and walnut with polish and some petroleum solvent and used dryer sheets.

I add a little liquid cleaner car wax to the walnut media, but the dryer sheets sounds like a good idea.   

which wet tumbler are people using?

which wet tumbler are people using?

Thumler

I had someone wet tumble some of my brass for 2 hours... they use the tumbler for non brass related work, so I asked them to run it tonight..... pure coincidence...

I have yet to see the actual brass but it looks clean....

should it get cleaner if tumbled longer?

I dry tumble.  Have a friend who uses a sonic cleaner.  Very very clean when it comes out, but after a while the brass discolors.  I would think a wet tumble would do the same thing.

Dry tumble. After the range I tumble with walnut to get them clean, and then tumble in corn cob and polish to get them nice and shiny.

I'm amazed at how nice cases come out with wet tumbling and how it cleans the primer pockets.  But I'm on the fence on whether it's worth the extra work and initial cost for something that's mostly cosmetic. 

I dry tumble.  Have a friend who uses a sonic cleaner.  Very very clean when it comes out, but after a while the brass discolors.  I would think a wet tumble would do the same thing.

Different formula. I use Lemishine with Dawn dishwashing liquid.

Different formula. I use Lemishine with Dawn dishwashing liquid.

Hey Ren, does your brass come shiny from neck to base? or do you have some discoloration remaining?

 how long do you tumble using the water tumbler?

I'm on the fence too about the water tumbler.

I tumble for about 1.5 - 2 hours. Thats enough bling for me. I put in about 100 .223 cases with a tablespoon of Lemishine follwoed by 2 tablespoons of Dawn. Fill enough water to about 3/4 of container. The key is rinsing it off well in cold water and drying it on a towel.

I tumble for about 1.5 - 2 hours. Thats enough bling for me. I put in about 100 .223 cases with a tablespoon of Lemishine follwoed by 2 tablespoons of Dawn. Fill enough water to about 3/4 of container. The key is rinsing it off well in cold water and drying it on a towel.

wow how big is your tumbler? I was looking at the 6lb (2 tub) thumler for 308 and 9mm cases... will that work?

I tumble for about 1.5 - 2 hours. Thats enough bling for me. I put in about 100 .223 cases with a tablespoon of Lemishine follwoed by 2 tablespoons of Dawn. Fill enough water to about 3/4 of container. The key is rinsing it off well in cold water and drying it on a towel.

OK..............wtf is lemishine?  You polishing lemmings?

LOL

The main reason I went with wet tumbling was the absence of dust. I live in a townhome with no garage or backyard so dust is a concern.  I reload in my spare bedroom and wet tumble in my spare bathroom.
Here's a thread on how to make your own: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/344986_How_i_built_my_own_rotary_tumbler.html
I have an old Sears 1/3 HP motor I found. Been contemplating awhile.

The main reason I went with wet tumbling was the absence of dust. I live in a townhome with no garage or backyard so dust is a concern.  I reload in my spare bedroom and wet tumble in my spare bathroom.
Here's a thread on how to make your own: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/344986_How_i_built_my_own_rotary_tumbler.html
I have an old Sears 1/3 HP motor I found. Been contemplating awhile.

+1 I'm in same situation... water definitely sounds like the way to go...

Wet for me too. SS pins and Thumbler. I get my lemii shine from Walmart.