SS media - what separation method you using?

[fattire]

I'm thinking about making the switch from Ultrasonic cleaning to stainless steel media and after reading the threads and watching the videos, what are you using to separate the steel media from the brass? One option that I saw was the Franklin arsenal bucket and spinner :

Its cheap, but unfortunately also seems like its going to break. There are other models such as the RCBS and the dillon, more expensive..

Just wondering if anyone uses the RCBS or the Dillon, because both of those seem to be suited for dry media, but maybe they would work too? Id rather buy once...Thanks

 

[Chiller]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

Using The Dillon.....works well.

 

[SScott]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I am using the Franklin bucket spinner. I would not recommend it because as you spin it, it throws the little pins, even at slow speeds.
It looks like those other models you have pictures of with their long collection buckets would work better.
SScott

 

[ugsly]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I just use my hand and shake them out. A separator like that might work good on a 308 case but something like a 22-250 or 7mm case is a little harder to get the media out of. I don't know if a separator would get ALL the media out of the cases anyways, but it might do the bulk of the work. I'm sure others will chime in soon.

Kc

 

[fattire]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

Does the steel media stick to the inside of the casing (its mostly going to be used on 223 and 9mm)? I mean do you really have to spin it to get the media out?

Just trying find ways to be more efficient, but if i have to pick out media from every case, that may be a deal breaker......

 

[rero360]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I just grab the cases out two or three at a time and hold them upside down and give them a couple of shakes, most of the pins fall out on their own anyways.

 

[Deisel]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

When I talked to the guy Susaponte referred to buy the media he said get two dishpans 12 quart or bigger and use them to separate the brass and media. I pour off all the black water out of the tumbler I can and dump the media and brass into one dishpan. I also rinse the tumbler inside into the dishpan. I fill the other dish pan about 1/2 full and just pick the brass up from the first pan, give it a good shake under water and toss it into the second. This lets me check each piece of brass for any media stuck in the primer pocket or in the neck, which is very rare. The media comes right out under water. Doesn't take very long and lets me inspect the brass.

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

either by hand, or the Dillon smaller separator. pistol cases, definitely dillon, as they come right out, but smaller cases can be an issue, so I end up double checking all by hand anyhow, during several steps of the loading process as I got bit by some pcs that got in the flashholes. Wont have that happen again.

John

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I do it by hand, that way you're sure you get all the pins out. In smaller cases like .223, .243, etc, the pins get lodged in the neck and wont come out unless you pry them out. They can also get stuck in some primer pockets. Its a bitch and takes forever, but the last thing you want a steel pin flying down your barrel.

 

[Tomcat]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I set mine up just like SuaSponte has in in videos:
Franklin Arsenal ball with a bucket. I drilled out the handles and put a 7/8 dowel and screwed back on the turn crank. I put marine epoxy on the dowel and used SS screws to hold the crank to the dowel. The dowel servers as a axel and fits into slots I drilled out of the sides of the bucket. This allows the ball to sit down lower in the water usually does get every pin with only about < 5 mins of cranking. It does throw some SS media around, but what the hell, I am tired of chasing every stinking little pin around with a magnet - i do sometimes, but when the media starts to run low I will buy some more.
I drilled out a tupperware tub with a very small bit and made a sieve.

My process:
After tumbling -
I carefully open the Tumbler and run a magnet around the edge.
I rinse out the Tumbler and get alot of the black water out. 2-3 rinses.
I pour the contents into the waiting modified Frankford Arsenal and pin it closed.
I check for flown pins - there alway are some.
Fill the bucket up with warm water and turn the tumbler for a few minutes.
Remove the ball and set aside.
Pour off most of the water from the bucket and pour pins and water, carefully, into the home made sieve, and set aside.

Open ball of jewels and marvel for a moment, pour brass onto towel and toss, pour brass onto dry towel and set aside to air dry, usually for a day or so.

Later, I put all the weekends clean brass into a big pan I got at HD garden department, and put in oven at about 200 for about 1 hr. This ensures they are perfectly dry.



This is a pretty labor intensive system - but its worth it.

Also - at the very beginning of the process, after depriming, I check the primer pockets with reamer tool, - every stinking case. This is a wild PITA, but it makes reloading on the Dillon 550B much easier.

I spray some Diller case lube in a plastic bag, throw in about 50 cases, shake around, (so the lube dosnt get inside the brass) and load.

After loading, I roll the rounds around on a towel dampened with alcohol to remove most of the wax.

Thats my story.

 

[John L]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I am using a cheap strainer I found at the local Sherwin Williams paint store. It is a round plastic ring that sits atop a 5 gallon bucket. It has a fine mesh bottom and costs about 5 bucks ( 3 if you get the contractors discount). I put it on top of the bucket and drain the tumbler into it, then seperate the brass out by hand. It also allows you to rinse the media while your doing all of this. Just dump out the 5 gallon bucket when done and leave the media in the strainer to dry. Works slicker than shit and is a very cheap solution. I dont know if the strainers are available at Home Depot or Lowes but any good paint store should have them. The link below will show you what they look like.

http://www.thecarycompany.com/containers/ez-strainers.html

 

[Suasponte]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

A lot of guys say they are using the small Dillon with great success.

Terry

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: In da weeds</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> They can also get stuck in some primer pockets. Its a bitch and takes forever, but the last thing you want a steel pin flying down your barrel. </div></div>

If anyone wants to see what pins down the bbl does, just look at my post in the original thread. Also plays havoc with your shots, especially at 600 yards...which is the distance I was shooting when I discovered I had pins in the cases....not all of them will go down the bbl, some will fall out of the case after firing when you eject the case...they will look like burnt rods.

Notwithstanding pin residue in my bbl, the bloody thing still shoots like a house on fire, so its going back out to the range next weekend for an XTC match.

John

 

[dvdt]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I was just thinking about this myself. I had been doing .308 and was just doing this by hand as it allowed me to inspect the brass before loading.

I just picked up a XL 650 and now I'm thinking of getting something with a lid, like the RCBS, and tumbling away. I'm not having any trouble with the SS media and 9mm cases. I just tumbled a few thousand and haven't had an issue.

If folks are using the RCBS, which has the lid, that seems like it would work best. Who's using that ?

 

[FoxtrotBravo]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

A $4 colandor from the dollar store. Then shake out the pins from the cases. BUT, the method of dumping out the pins under water sounds like a better way; just haven't tried it yet.

 

[fncannon]

Re: SS media - what separation method you using?

I'm doing it like Tomcat, but I don't spin the ball in the water. I just go 1/2 turn back and forth. Haven't had any pins left in the 25-20 brass yet, and done over 2k worth so far. (knocks on wood)