Tumbling in stainless tumbler without stainless pins???

[boyerr224]

Hello. Has anyone tried tumbling this brass in one of those stainless pin tumblers but without the pins? Just water and either some kind of dishsoap, wax-n-wash or the simple green? Would that still remove the coating? Thank you.

[panzermk2]

That would be to much agitation. 20 minutes in luke warm water, about 5 to 10% simple green and hand agitate every 5 minutes.

Don't use a rich mixture of simplegreen and don't leave it in the simplegreen to long since both actions will remove or soften the coating.
Don't under estimate simplegreen, it will eat the blueing off of steel.

Best to do this AFTER sizing and depriming.

[boyerr224]

Okay thanks

[Toprudder]

I’ve thought about wiring up a timer to a wet tumbler so that it only runs for a few seconds, every 5 minutes. But I remembered I had an old Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner and that has worked very well.

[lklawson]

When I first started reloading I started with .223 and, to save money, I used a tub of warm & soapy water and a sponge with a plastic-bristle straw-brush to clean the mouth, hand-washing everthing. I've done the same with 5.7 with good results. It's more labor intensive but I don't worry about the coating.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[boyerr224]

I’ve thought about wiring up a timer to a wet tumbler so that it only runs for a few seconds, every 5 minutes. But I remembered I had an old Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner and that has worked very well.

So the ultrasonic cleaners won't remove that special coating?

[panzermk2]

They will if you leave the brass in there long enough.

[JohnG]

Jay is correct that it would be too much agitation. I know because I have tried it. Occasional hand agitation is the only way to get maximum life from the cases.