My Pins are copper but are made from many different sizes of copper wire.
From 1/0 THHN to 4 gauge THHN
From 1/0 THHN to 4 gauge THHN
Good point. Stainless ain't the only that that won't rust.
Well, it's not supposed to ...Stainless will rust!
But it does depend on the alloy mix.
Some neat information on stainless and magnetism and corrosion resistance.
https://www.australwright.com.au/te...ainless-steel-magnetism-corrosion-resistance/
I made my own pins because i seen a package of brass pins at H&H and thought I could make copper pins from some scrap wire I have laying around.
I did give stainless pins a try but did not care for them ..Those I got were quite long and heavy and it did peen the cases a bit.
You could feel more resistance when sizing the cases also when using those pins.
MoBoost noticed that issue before I did and he pin tumbles then media vibrates to polish the cases.
He mentioned it and I got some stainless pins and experimented with them.
I even went as far as buying 50lbs of very small glass beads for fine media blasting and used them in a vibratory cleaner.
Very expensive test.
The beads felt like silk when you ran your hands into the bag of media.
My cases felt silky when they were finished in the vibratory many hours later.
Way too long of a process and no benefit and primer pockets were still dirty.
https://www.australwright.com.au/te...ainless-steel-magnetism-corrosion-resistance/
I made my own pins because i seen a package of brass pins at H&H and thought I could make copper pins from some scrap wire I have laying around.
I did give stainless pins a try but did not care for them ..Those I got were quite long and heavy and it did peen the cases a bit.
You could feel more resistance when sizing the cases also when using those pins.
MoBoost noticed that issue before I did and he pin tumbles then media vibrates to polish the cases.
He mentioned it and I got some stainless pins and experimented with them.
I even went as far as buying 50lbs of very small glass beads for fine media blasting and used them in a vibratory cleaner.
Very expensive test.
The beads felt like silk when you ran your hands into the bag of media.
My cases felt silky when they were finished in the vibratory many hours later.
Way too long of a process and no benefit and primer pockets were still dirty.
It was 18 gauge wire wasn't it @swampratt? How long did you cut the wire? Assorted sizes? How much wire did you use?
I would assume it would leave a thin copper film on the cases. Does the copper patina if you don't dry it or keep it exposed to air? All the copper wire I have seen oxidizes and turns black after several years in use outdoors.
I would assume it would leave a thin copper film on the cases. Does the copper patina if you don't dry it or keep it exposed to air? All the copper wire I have seen oxidizes and turns black after several years in use outdoors.
Too much citric acid (LemiShine) or too long in the acid will leach some of the copper out of brass or the copper pins.
This will be apparent as you will have pink cases.
The copper is removed and redeposited on the cases as is my understanding.
I use wash and wax and not dawn most of the time and very little.
It does not take much 1/8 teaspoon or much less in a 2 quart container and just a little Lemi shine.
I do not think it is real critical as to what size the copper pins are but lamp cord or speaker wire copper is just too flimsy to get it done in my mind.
So 18 gauge stranded copper I think will be too thin.
Here are a couple pictures of how much Lemi Shine and soap I use in 1/2 a gallon of water.
and a picture of my pins.
I have cases I copper pin cleaned that are many years old and look just fine no corrosion or odd colors.
This will be apparent as you will have pink cases.
The copper is removed and redeposited on the cases as is my understanding.
I use wash and wax and not dawn most of the time and very little.
It does not take much 1/8 teaspoon or much less in a 2 quart container and just a little Lemi shine.
I do not think it is real critical as to what size the copper pins are but lamp cord or speaker wire copper is just too flimsy to get it done in my mind.
So 18 gauge stranded copper I think will be too thin.
Here are a couple pictures of how much Lemi Shine and soap I use in 1/2 a gallon of water.
and a picture of my pins.
I have cases I copper pin cleaned that are many years old and look just fine no corrosion or odd colors.
I use a pool skimmer spread the SS pins, let set in the sun for sometime. All the water will drain out. I think I got one for like 5 bucks.
