Clumping of media problem.

[ERdept]

So, I just did my first batch of .45ACP brass via the alternative cheap method per instructions here.



PROBLEM: I used lizard walnut bedding (seems a little too find to cut well) and Nu-finish and Flitz in two different batches.

The media clumps and some get into the case mouth and I have to dig it out.



Is getting larger course media better and adding powdered red rouged better than a liquid cleaner?

[joelogic]

Are you tumbling and media and polish first or just putting it all in together? You are suppose to tumble the media and polish for 30 minutes to mix it in well and then add the brass. Or maybe too much polish. The media shouldn't be wet otherwise it will stick to the case.

[ERdept]

I put the polish in and let it run 10 min, but you still see clumped up media.

[Sideline Shooter]

I used that lizard bedding/tumbling media also. What I noticed is that it is very dusty, although it is not suppossed to. Pour it into a 5 gallon bucket OUTSIDE where all the dust wont get on your property. Do this a few times and it will keep the dust down and some of the clumping. Also run the media with the polish for 30 to 40 minutes first without brass. Also a little goes a long way. What I noticed is the bedding media will just clean well and not polish too great. Use corn cob media if you want a high polish.

Sideline Shooter

[ERdept]

OK, I think I"m going to have to break down and just get regular treated tumbling media that is larger/coarser.

[emilio]

i use treated corncob as my general-purpose media; it works quickly and aggressively and doesn't have a pinch of dust on it. the worst thing that can happen is a bit of media wedges in the primer hole, but the sizer/deprimer takes care of that. i never use liquid cleaners.

i only switch to the finer walnut when i want to tumble after sizing and de-priming, to clean the pocket, which is very rare (i usually don't care that much). definitely de-dust it like Sideline suggested, and make sure to keep all your media tightly sealed to avoid moisture.

- emilio

[Sideline Shooter]

Another note, if you already have the walnut media use it to clean the cases of lube after resizing. It will cut down your tumbling time and save your corn cob from being clogged up and useless.

Sideline Shooter

[checkenbach]

All you need to do is pour the polishing compund in, run the tumbler for a bit(10-20 minutes), WHILE using a coffee stirstick or old chopsticks to break up the clumps of polish, after a bit you will stop seeing polish clumps floating around, THEN add brass, works great!!!!

[cassius]

I'll usually set a full tumbler to running, with brass in it, and drizzle some dillon polishing compound around in a very thin stream as the tumbler churns. I don't start with a big glob of liquid, so I don't wind up with one.

I also rarely start with a bone-dry batch of media. I typically replaces a couple cups worth at a time, as I notice things taking longer to process. Saves a good bit of the polishing compound that way, since I'm not throwing it out often.

[domokun]

I use walnut media purchased from the pet and feed store. It's the BIRD bedding stuff not the lizard stuff. It's not as finely ground and does not clump as you've described. Even while tumbling the polish into the media, you still have to break up the larger clumps with your hand into smaller clumps that will break up more easily. As long as you break up the clumps and manage them so they don't remain large clumps, you shouldn't have any issues with even if you're using a large tumbler like the Dillon CV-2001 I use.

[Revoman]

Yup, I agree that the way to pour in the polish is not to pour it in, drizzle in long strings while the tumbler is on and the clumping issue will pretty much go away. You may still have a couple of small clumps but they can be broken easily with most anything that you wish to break them with. I happen to use a slotted plastic spoon as that's what I use to separate the cases when taking them out of the media when finished.

[Sunwolf]

Use lizard bedding all the time and never even seen clumping.

[ar15barrels]

I put the polish in and let it run 10 min, but you still see clumped up media.

Don't pour a big blob in one place.

Add the media to the bowl first.
Make a nice little thin line around the media with the polish.
This will keep you from ending up with turds in your media.
The big turds take longer to break down then little strings.

[30Cal]

I just use the walnut straight up.

[gemoose23]

Are you using this stuff? I never had any issues with it as my media:


I have gone back to corn, since it was cheeper and on sale at Petsmart: