Tumbling Dry or Wet?

[Loui3]

Thank you, everyone. A lot of great points and advice. I think the dust is when it's done then moving to empty the media into a bucket or something where the dust comes from.

Someone made a point about checking the brass. Wet / Dry I believe you still have to check both because you don't want anything in brass. Thought that was a normal to check before reloading. Going to run my number and see how much I could afford right now. like someone else said "Get both" hahaha

Must be nice being a BALLER

[sofbak]

If anyone in th San Diego region wants a dry tumbling system-pm me. I have a high quality, slightly used but never abused Frankfort system I'll make a great deal on.

[divingin]

Do people tumble with the lid off the tumbler?

Lyman tumbler lid doubles as sieve. Having it on or off makes no difference in containing dust. It does keep the media from spilling out of the bowl as it's running, though.

[ar15barrels]

Lyman tumbler lid doubles as sieve. Having it on or off makes no difference in containing dust.
It does keep the media from spilling out of the bowl as it's running, though.

Every tumbler I have comes with a solid lid but I will admit to not having a Lyman.

Does the Lyman tumbler come with a solid lid as well?
If not, that would sure contribute to making a a lot of dust like people talk about.

[bigbossman]

When I load new media in my tumblers, I run the tumbler for a while (30 mins?)with mineral spirits, polishing compound, and dryer sheets. No dust from there on after.

[divingin]

Every tumbler I have comes with a solid lid but I will admit to not having a Lyman.

Does the Lyman tumbler come with a solid lid as well?
If not, that would sure contribute to making a a lot of dust like people talk about.

No, it doesn't. Well, didn't when I got mine (2015, I think.) Looks like some of them do have solid lids now.

This page has an image of the same model I have:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1064158440

[PSLguy]

Gave away my two Lyman dry tumblers. Now, I only use the large Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler, NO PINS

Been at least 5-6 years since I bought it and the pins are still unused in bag they came in. I de-prime before cleaning and primer pockets come out nice and shiny.

There are LOTS of videos out there showing difference in wet tumbling with and without pins. Essentially, the only difference is pins get inside of cases as shiny as outside. I don't care if inside of cases is shiny, only that it's clean.
.

[the86d]

My favorite word when a woman says it right...
"MOIST" (Cob).

[2Asupport]

I have had good results with wet tumbling. The rounds come out clean and when they are dry, there is no residue or dust. (important with non-carbide dies)

[PoofNoEyebrows]

I prefer dry tumbling. I use corn with a couple cups of walnut for grit. Add a SMALL drop of polish and let go for a few hours. I rinse with rodi water I make for my reef tanks.leaves no spots. I do use an ultrasonic cleaner on them first though that removes most of the carbon and other crap.

[Squ1dward]

Again??

And so begins the wet vs. Dry Tumbling debate. AGAIN...lol

I have used both methods, but prefer wet. I do dry tumble my completed rounds.

Here is a link for my wet tumbling experiment. I DO NOT use pins. There is no need. The brass acts as its own pins.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=16929706&postcount=65

Either way works...Its personal preference really.

[broadside]

Used to use a Lyman dry one. Got tired of the mess (even when running it inside a box, it was noisy and messy). I was using Lyman red media.

Recently changed over the FA wet tumbler. Use wash-n-wax, some citric acid for canning and stainless pins. Works great. Much quieter and I can clean much more brass per load.

I also have the FA media separator (the basket you spin). Great for getting 95% of the pins out. I built a 2'x3' frame out of the 1x4 and heavy wire mesh to dry and to drop the rest of the pins after its all dry.

[Hateca]

Wet tumble really dirty brass with no pins, I’m not looking for high polish, just clean, after all I’m just going to make them dirty again. I use a small plastic cement mixer to do lots of brass at one time. If I’m going to store brass I will use the same cement mixer with corncob or my Dillion tumbler to polish them for storage.

[David Jackson]

I have a Lyman, has a solid top. Noisy and shakes itself around, I start it going just before I go to bed; make a spot for it on the garage floor so it won't try to walk away, come by the next morning to nice, shiny cases.
I never have thought about lead dust though ...
What are the "pins" so many have mentioned?

[LkPillsburyDude]

My harbor freight tumbler sits outside all year, if its loaded and rains, its wet. Otherwise its dry. No joke. Its cheap and works every time