At the moment I can't afford to buy any of the machines used to clean brass. What I have been doing is using fine steel wool and giving them a polish. It works fine although time consuming.
This works fine but the one thing I have noticed is that some small pieces of the wool are sticking to the lube pad and therefor the case also. I've noticed some minor scrathcing on the brass also but yet to notice any in the sizing dies.
For those of you who use alternative methodes of cleaning, could you share you ideas with me.
Posts: 4326 | Location: Under the North Star! | Registered: 25 December 2002
I've used "Nevr-Dull" which is a treated kapoc -type of material. Sold in many hardware stores for use on brass doorknobs, etc., it shines brass up nicely.
Posts: 733 | Location: N. Illinois | Registered: 21 July 2002
Before I bought a tumbler, I put my cases in a cloth bank bag and ran them through the washing machine. It did a good job of cleaning them, but it didn't shine them up much.
Rem. 222
Posts: 516 | Location: Ar. | Registered: 03 January 2003
try a cheap frankford arsenal/midway tumbler about $30 from midway. time is money,and its a few bucks well spent. visit your pet supply store for corn cob bedding as a cheap media. you could also throw some media into a coffe can and shake for a few minutes.
Posts: 28 | Location: phoenix az | Registered: 21 February 2003
You could try 3M ScotchBrite microfiber cleaning handpads, the maroon color. I use it to clean the carbon residue from the outside of case necks before neck sizing. This is to get them clean enough to fire again not to make them look unfired.
Just one 6x9 inch pad has lasted for years.
Tiny scratches won't hurt anything.
Posts: 4799 | Location: Lehigh county, PA | Registered: 17 October 2002
Steel Wool is quick if you use it in conjunction with the LEE case holder/drill chuck tool and a cordless. Spin the case, apply the wool, run a neck brush in and out....Ready for Lube.
Posts: 569 | Location: VA, USA | Registered: 22 January 2002
Even quicker than the Lee is a taper plug in any handy. I find a bit of handy scrap abit over case mouth size, cut off a couple of inches, chuck it in the drill, and taper it a bit with a file. Steel, aluminum, even wood. They all seem to work.
Just hold the case in whatever you are using to clean with and slide it up on the spinning taper until it grabs. Lets you polish the case head which the Lee does not.
Posts: 1570 | Location: Base of the Blue Ridge | Registered: 04 November 2002
Okay i have not tried this but i will the next time i need to clean some real dirty brass.i saw this on PBS this weekend a guy talking about cleaning with stuff in your home.He mixed fabric softner with salt and warm water to disolve the salt.He dipped some items madw of silver,gold,copper the tarnish was gone instantly.I'm trying it on brass just to see what happens.
Posts: 175 | Location: mineral wells texas | Registered: 12 November 2001
quote:Originally posted by wheelgun101: Okay i have not tried this but i will the next time i need to clean some real dirty brass.i saw this on PBS this weekend a guy talking about cleaning with stuff in your home.He mixed fabric softner with salt and warm water to disolve the salt.He dipped some items madw of silver,gold,copper the tarnish was gone instantly.I'm trying it on brass just to see what happens.
make sure you let us know if it works My ammo will be clean and smell fresh as a daisey!
Posts: 1975 | Location: The Three Lower Counties (Delaware USA) | Registered: 13 September 2001
I clean mine with a splash of Simple Green and hot water. Let'em soak till the water is about cool. While they're soaking, swirl'em around a little bit. I do all this in a gallon jug with a wide mouth. Takes about five minutes. I set'em out to dry on a towel, turning them every once in a while to insure complete drying.
I got an old Ice cream machine from a 2nd hand store for 5 bucks and a box of corn cob media. Throw in the cases, put it on its side and plug it in. Out comes polished brass..
Posts: 10164 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001
quote:Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr: I got an old Ice cream machine from a 2nd hand store for 5 bucks and a box of corn cob media. Throw in the cases, put it on its side and plug it in. Out comes polished brass..
Now this is cheap. You get the cheap of the year award.
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