How Long To Tumble Brass?

This is a question that I get asked a lot, and it’s one that has a bit of a complicated answer. The short answer is that you should tumble your brass for at least 24 hours, but the long answer is a little more involved. The first thing you need to consider is what type of tumbler you’re using.

If you’re using a vibratory tumbler, then you can usually get away with tumbling your brass for shorter periods of time. I typically start with 24 hours and then increase the time in increments of 6-12 hours until I’m happy with the results. If you’re using a rotary tumbler, on the other hand, you’ll likely need to tumble your brass for longer periods of time – I typically start with 48 hours and go from there.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to how long to tumble your brass. After all, as long as it’s clean and shiny, who cares? Well, actually, there is a bit of science involved in getting the perfect shine on your brass, and it all has to do with how long you leave it in the tumbler.

The first thing to consider is what type of brass you’re working with. New brass will usually only need about 30 minutes in the tumbler, while dirty or tarnished brass may need an hour or more. If you’re unsure, err on the side of longer rather than shorter – you can always take it out early if it’s done, but if you leave it in too short a time then your results will be sub-par.

Next, think about what kind of media you’re using. Different media will have different effects on your brass (and will thus require different tumbling times). For example, walnut shell media will give your brass a nice shine without being too abrasive, while corn cob media will remove heavier tarnish but may also dull the finish somewhat.

Again, if in doubt go for longer rather than shorter – better to have to re-tumble for a few extra minutes than to be disappointed with lackluster results. Finally, consider what kind of finish you want on your brass. A high-polish shine may take longer to achieve than a simple matte finish, so plan accordingly.

Once again, better to overdo it slightly than fall short! So there you have it – a few things to keep in mind when deciding how long to tumble your next batch of brass. With a little trial and error (and maybe some help from this article) you’ll soon be an expert at achieving perfect results every time!

How Long Should I Tumble My Brass? | New Gunner

How Long Does It Take to Clean Brass in a Tumbler?

Cleaning brass in a tumbler can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight, depending on the size and number of pieces being cleaned. The process works by using media (usually corn cob or walnut shell) and water to agitate the brass and remove any dirt, grime or tarnish.

How Long Does Brass Take to Rotary Tumbler?

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is a strong, durable metal that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, over time, brass will start to show signs of aging.

The surface of the metal will start to dull and develop a patina. Additionally, the metal may become brittle and break easily. If you want to keep your brass looking like new, you will need to clean it regularly with a rotary tumbler.

A rotary tumbler is a machine that uses abrasive media to polish and clean surfaces. The media inside the tumbler barrel polishes the brass as it turns. Brass that has been cleaned in a rotary tumbler will have a bright, shiny finish.

So how long does it take to clean brass in a rotary tumbler? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of media used and the size of the load. Generally speaking, it takes about 3-4 hours to clean a small load of brass in a rotary tumbler.

What is the Best Media for Tumbling Brass?

When it comes to tumbling brass, there are a few different media options that can be used. The most common media used for tumbling brass is corncob or walnut shell. These two types of media are relatively inexpensive and do a good job of polishing the brass.

Another option that can be used is crushed glass. Crushed glass is a little more expensive than corncob or walnut shell, but it does an even better job of polishing the brass.

Why Do You Tumble Brass for Reloading?

If you’re a reloader, chances are you’ve considered tumbling your brass. Tumbling brass is a process of polishing the brass cases using abrasive media in order to remove any dirt, grime or debris that may be on the surface. This can be beneficial for several reasons.

First, it can help to ensure that each case is clean and ready for reloading. Second, it can help to extend the life of your brass by preventing premature wear and tear. Third, it can improve the accuracy of your reloads by ensuring that each case is uniform in shape and size.

There are a few different ways to go about tumbling brass. You can purchase a commercial tumbler, which typically uses either steel shot or ceramic media. Or, you can make your own tumbler using a drill and a container filled with sand, walnut shells or corn cob media.

Either way, the goal is to get the media inside the container moving around so that it polishes the brass as it moves around with it. Once you’ve decided on a method for tumbling your brass, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to get the best results possible. First, always sort your brass by caliber before beginning the tumbling process.

This will prevent damage to your cases from mismatched sizes rubbing together during the process. Second, only tumble enough brass at one time so that it’s just barely covered by the media – too much Brass will result in longer tumble times and potentially damaged cases from being banged around too much inside the tumbler. Finally, once your desired level of shine has been achieved (usually after 1-2 hours), empty out the used media and rinse off your newly polished brass cases with clean water – letting them air dry completely before storing them away until you’re ready to start reloading them again!

Credit: www.pewpewtactical.com

Can You Tumble Brass Too Long

If you’re a reloader, chances are good that you’ve tumbled brass at some point. Perhaps you’ve even wondered if you can tumble brass too long. The answer is yes, it is possible to over-tumble your brass.

When brass is tumbled, the media inside the tumbler knocks off any burrs or sharp edges. This process also work-hardens the brass, making it more resistant to deformation. However, if you tumble for too long or use excessively abrasive media, you can damage the surface of your brass.

This damage manifests itself as a dull, matte finish. In extreme cases, the surface of the brass can become pitted or gouged. Obviously, this is undesirable as it diminishes both the aesthetic appeal and function of your ammunition.

To avoid damaging your brass, limit tumbling time to 30 minutes or less and use only mildly abrasive media such as crushed walnut shells or corncob kernels.

How Long to Tumble Brass in Stainless Steel Media

If you’re reloading your own ammunition, you know that brass tumbling is an important part of the process. But how long should you tumble your brass in stainless steel media? There are a few factors to consider when deciding how long to tumble your brass.

The first is the type of tumbler you’re using. If you have a vibratory tumbler, you’ll need to tumble for longer than if you’re using a rotary tumbler. Vibratory tumblers are less effective at removing dirt and debris from brass, so they require a longer tumbling time.

The second factor to consider is the size of your batch of brass. The more brass you’re trying to clean at once, the longer it will take. It’s best to start with small batches until you get a feel for how long it takes your particular setup to clean them effectively.

Finally, consider what kind of results you’re looking for. If you just want to remove light surface dirt and debris, you won’t need to tumble for as long as if you’re trying to remove heavier buildup or tarnish. In general, most people find that 45 minutes to an hour in a rotary tumbler with stainless steel media produces good results.

But again, it’s best to experiment with different times and batches until you find what works best for your needs.

How to Dry Tumble Brass

If you’re like most reloaders, you probably have a large stock of brass that needs to be cleaned and dried before you can start reloading it. Here’s a quick guide on how to get your brass clean and dry in no time! First, you’ll need to remove all the dirt and debris from your brass.

A simple way to do this is to put your brass in a tumbler with some media, like crushed walnut shells or corn cob bits. Run the tumbler for about an hour, then dump out the dirty media and rinse off your brass with clean water. Next, you’ll need to dry your brass.

The quickest way to do this is with a food dehydrator set on low heat. Spread your wet brass out on the dehydrator trays, making sure not to overlap any pieces, and let it run until all the moisture is gone. This usually takes around 4-6 hours.

Once your brass is completely dry, it’s ready to be reloaded!

Conclusion

If you’re wondering how long to tumble brass, the answer is that it depends on several factors. The type of tumbler you’re using, the size of your batches, the type of media you’re using, and your personal preferences all play a role in deciding how long to tumble brass.