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Ultrasonic brass cleaning

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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ultrasonic brass cleaning
    Posted: April/19/2010 at 11:13
A friend told me he is about to start cleaning his brass with an ultrasonic cleaner, anyone do this?

It would be nice to clean the inside as much as the outside, and to clean the primer pocket well, but not sure of any real substantive benefits.

Anyone?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 11:15
I have thought about doing that as well.

I saw this topic over at Snipers hide.  This way looks pretty interesting as well.  It appears to really get the brass clean.  http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1153883&page=1
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 12:24
Might try the SS.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 14:40
I've thought about it...can't remember, but there was some solution people found to be the best. Have you checked out http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html
and http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12779/GunTechdetail/Ultrasonic_Case_Cleaning?
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 16:52
per case cleaned its expensive, unless you'll be doing thousands of cycles. A phosphate buffer solution (phosphoric acid) works best in neutralizing the ammonia salts, and the ph doesn't get out of control. (dissolve the brass or weaken it). Say something like 30 ml per liter with just a dash of Joy dishwashing soap to loosen oil. Let air dry, ,or drop in some old pillow cases for 20 mins. in the dryer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 17:11
I see Hornady just came out with a ultra sonic cleaner.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 17:48
I am leaning more toward the stainless steel media in a tumbler, seems easier and less baby-sitting.

I'll wait till a friend runs his ultrasonic a few times, maybe I can buy his cheap.

in the end, enough time in the shaker gets it done, so no real hurry, just don't love the dust and simpler is better.


Anyone tumble after loading, to get the lube off the cases?  I haven't been doing that, might try it.  I usually just wipe them down, maybe my precision and accuracy will increase significantly!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 19:49
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

I am leaning more toward the stainless steel media in a tumbler, seems easier and less baby-sitting.
Never heard of that...wonder how much it would peen (and work-harden) the brass.
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:


I'll wait till a friend runs his ultrasonic a few times, maybe I can buy his cheap.
LOL!
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:


in the end, enough time in the shaker gets it done, so no real hurry, just don't love the dust and simpler is better.
I drop a couple fabric softener sheets cut up into quarters into the separator. A lot comes off on to those.

Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:


Anyone tumble after loading, to get the lube off the cases?  I haven't been doing that, might try it.  I usually just wipe them down, maybe my precision and accuracy will increase significantly!
As you know, you don't want any lube, grease or other build-up in the chamber. That's for sure. I think just wiping them down is enough though. And tumbling would just introduce walnut dust into the chamber, mixing with any gunk. Plus, just sounds like more work.



Edited by jonoMT - April/19/2010 at 19:50
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 08:16
I cannot quote chapter and verse, but I read somewhere that tests done on internal case cleaning did not improve accuracy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 08:19
Not exactly on topping of Ultrasonic but how long do you guys normally run your brass in meda when using corncob media?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 09:23
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

Not exactly on topping of Ultrasonic but how long do you guys normally run your brass in meda when using corncob media?
 
Untill the cases are clean Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 09:24
I use to run mine for anything from 4 to 8 hours. A lot depends on how new or clean the medium is.
 
I do not use a case tumbler any longer, but use citric acid (1 teaspoon in 2 pints of water)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 09:32

hand cleaning or ultrasonic?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 09:41
No ultra sonic. I dump the cases into the solution for about 15 secs, then rinse them in clear water and let them dry.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 09:43
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 10:11
Ok i read the article, intersting. 
 
So you take a spent round, and go straight into a solution and it cleans it good?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 15:02
I use crushed walnut hulls to clean the fired brass, and then through in several damp rags in the seperator after I have seperated the media from the brass to remove the dust from the brass.
After loading, I tumble the rounds in corn cob media (Lyman treated corn cob media) for a couple of hours to remove the case lube (Dillon case lube), and it doesn't leave much dust.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2010 at 04:43
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

Ok i read the article, intersting. 
 
So you take a spent round, and go straight into a solution and it cleans it good?
 
The outside area looks nice and shiny.The primer pocket still has to be cleaned manually.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2010 at 11:17
Citranox was the stuff I was thinking of. From what I read a gallon is about $50 with shipping and a little goes a long way. (8shots' comment on citric acid reminded me). It would be worth checking out. 
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Quoddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2010 at 11:51
I bought a Gemoro 1.2qt ultrasonic cleaner, which is the same thing as the Hornady, only $25 cheaper. Used the diluted case cleaner/distilled water solution and got really good results. My main concern was the interior of the brass and they came out really clean. The only drawback I found with the unit was that it had an 8 minute timer, and to heat the solution and clean the 125 pieces of .204 brass it took over an hour. I did some reloading at the same time so was able to reset the timer each time that it ran down. Drained the solution, did a cycle in distilled water, then finished drying the shells on a cookie sheet in a 240 degree oven after my wife had used the oven to cook supper.
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