Thread: Newbie question - cleaning brass with tumblers / ultrasonic?

I'm going through the process of a reloading setup. Trying to understand brass cleaning... does everyone use a vibratory / rotary tumbler (corn cob or steel pin)?
Is there is less expensive thing like ultrasonic cleaners or a bucket with some homemade solution?

What do you guys recommend for a new brass cleaning setup?

If doing small amounts... Say 25 or less just a fine piece of steel wool and something like a Lee case holder that goes in a drill chuck. Once you are doing hundreds get a tumbler

Reloading preferences are like asking lawyers for an opinion.
Everyone one will have (at least) one and most will be different.

If you want bright shiny brass tumble.
If you want clean brass, not as shiny, ultrasonic.

Shiny brass looks good, but does it shoot any better?

I clean and reload 3000 - 4000 rounds per year.

I clean with an ultrasonic cleaner in very hot water with a citric acid dishwashing liquid solution.
Oven dry at 120C then air cool.

Cleans brass inside and out including primer pockets and removes wax from sizing.

I don't have to muck around with tumbling medium.

Works for me, might work for you.

If you just polish the outside, what about the inside of the case?
Does cleaning/polishing the outside of the case have practical impact on accuracy? I understand cleaning the primer pocket is worthwhile.

Originally Posted by Cyclops

Reloading preferences are like asking lawyers for an opinion.
Everyone one will have (at least) one and most will be different.

If you want bright shiny brass tumble.
If you want clean brass, not as shiny, ultrasonic.

Shiny brass looks good, but does it shoot any better?

I clean and reload 3000 - 4000 rounds per year.

I clean with an ultrasonic cleaner in very hot water with a citric acid dishwashing liquid solution.
Oven dry at 120C then air cool.

Cleans brass inside and out including primer pockets and removes wax from sizing.

I don't have to muck around with tumbling medium.

Works for me, might work for you.

This approach sounds ok with me... I know a lot of folks like shiny brass
This sounds like a reasonable system as I'm living in an apartment so having a tumbler going for hours is less ideal! But yeah I understand the drying time is also a factor.

To only clean small amount, say, up to 30 223 cases I use an Aldi ultrasonic cleaner. Sold as a jewellery cleaner. Cheap and cheerful.
Hot water + about 25% of Vinegar along with a squirt of dish washing liquid.
I deprime first to save cleaning the primer pockets. About 4 minutes will do the trick. Rinse well afterwards. If you like add a little bicarb to the rinse water.
I just dry them outside in the sun/breeze.