Cleaning brass without a tumbler

[Milatich23]

Hello, I recently got into reloading and I just got my Lee Loader yesterday. I de-primed all my casings and went to a shop to get powder and bullets. I asked how to clean my brass without a tumbler and I was suggested to use TSP (Trisodium phosphate) diluted in water. I came home and read about using it on brass and found that some people do use it to wash casings.
I just want to make sure it's 100% safe. Does anyone see any problems with using it? Will it weaken or corrode the brass in any way? Any other suggestions on cleaning brass?

-Thanks

[StraightShooter]

I have no idea regarding what you just stated but when I first got into reloading and didnt have a tumbler I just used fine steel wool to brush off the carbon on the necks.

[huna koa]

it's actually used to clean jewelry but since I lack fancy stuff like that I bought it to clean my 45acp cases using only tap water. It does the job and you can go overboard by using the 8 minute timer to clean the brass 2-3-4 or more times before you remove the brass.

[Rule .308]

Harbor Freight has their tumbler on sale for $40.00 right now.

[bohoki]

heck midway has a frankford arsenal tumbler and seperator for like 50 bucks

i bough tthe harbor fright one for $25 casue it was $29 with a %10 off coupon i had from a flier

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=414369&t=11082005

[ZombieKiller]

Buy a tumbler and save the time and trouble.........it is a worthwhile investment.

[weezil_boi]

Just be careful not to use the last of the rice after reading how great it works in this forum....... the wife made me grilled cheese for dinner that night. With no tomoato soup.

[American_pride]

simple green and hot water works pretty good. Way better than nothing. Just be sure to let them dry completely.

[sza]

I have cleaned cases by soaking them in vinegar for an hour or two, then rinsing with hot water and allowing them to dry. It worked ok, but it takes forever for the cases to dry completely.

Buying a tumbler (and a media separator!) is a good investment.

[kdm]

I've only recently discovered Lyman Turbo Case Cleaner. That stuff is amazing! The directions say to let your cases soak for 5 minutes, but I just wet a paper towel and wipe the exteriors of the cases. Stuff strips away all the corrosion, burnt powder and fingerprints. I still tumble, but for only like an hour. Brass looks better than brand new.

It's $8.50 for 16 ounces at Midway...but they're out of stock until 29Aug.:mad:

[50 Shooter]

I've used the Lyman stuff and Iosso, out of the two I think Iosso works faster. The Lyman stuff seems like it's less aggressive but still does a good job of getting the brass clean.

All you have to do is let the brass dry out after rinsing it off, if you want it dry faster you can throw it on a cookie sheet and put the brass in the oven set on low/warm. If you deprime before using it will also help to clean out some of the crud in the primer pocket.

If you clean your brass with either one and dry them in the oven, you'll have clean brass ready to reload in about 10 minutes.