Author Topic: Can you over polish brass ? (Read 1083 times)

nofun1 · « **on:** April 04, 2005, 02:53:02 AM »

I use a homemade vibrating brass tumbler. and like to polish my brass every time I reload. Am I affecting the life of my brass? any other draw backs. I use walnut shells and occasionally recharge with Flitz. how long does your media last? What is the best and or cheapest polish to add to your media? thanks for the tips.

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2005, 03:39:42 AM »

I have personal experience that says if you leave cartridge brass in a vibratory cleaner....forget about it for couple days in corn cob media its will come out with a mirror finish. I have found no problem with it.

5Redman8 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2005, 03:45:50 AM »

FUNNY!!!! Just 3-4 days ago, i got an invite to dinner but had to leave the house in 5 min. to make it on time. Ended up leaving my cases in the tumbler for about 5 hours. Sure came out pretty!!! No damage done as far as i can tell!?!?!?

Later,
Kyle

Don Fischer · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:23:37 AM »

I alway's leave my cases in over night. No problem's and I clean after every firing.

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2005, 07:19:23 AM »

I keep my brass in a vibratory tumbler for an hour and a half. This seems to be about right. More time won't hurt the brass, but it does put more wear on the tumber. Considering the cost of tumbers and the relative value of highly polished brass, I'd rather spare the tumbler the extra work.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 09:52:18 AM »

Most of the time 1 1/2 to 2 hours and they are good to go. I do not see any affect tumbling them every time I reload.

MickinColo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:26:54 PM »

Like the rest of the guys here, I donÂ’t see a problem with tumbling brass for a while, as long as you donÂ’t let them tumble for long periods of time. Long tumbling sessions (like starting the tumbler and leaving on vacation for 2 weeks and forgetting to turn it off before you leave) may thin the body/shoulder transition of some of your cases.

IÂ’m sure theyÂ’ll be bright though.

I tumble all my brass but I donÂ’t worry about bright and shiny. I worry about clean. If I get shiny brass thatÂ’s just a bonus.

Duffy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:19:21 PM »

The only ill effect I've noticed was with some nickle plated brass. My timer didn't shut off and it ran for about 48 hours. It took off some of the nickle on the cases around the mouths and rim but didnt seem to hurt it otherwise. Does go to show that there is some wear though.

1911crazy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2005, 04:29:57 AM »

How long you tumble depends on what the condition of the brass is?? I decap the cases first then i tumble it in the corn media(rough tumble) after reoworking the cases and just before priming them they go into the walnut media with brass polish for the final tumble and polish. They come out with an awesome finish and their ready to load. BigBill

jhm · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2005, 04:34:45 AM »

I usually load the tumbler up turn it on and go into the house for the evening 1st. thing in the morning I turn it off and remove the brass, has worked for many years and I dont have to listen to the tumbler.

JIM