Looks like I'm joining the stainless pin tumbling crowd

[aviator41]

I saw those earlier Aviator, I agree, pretty much new looking brass. Are the primer pockets just as clean? I'm assuming so. Shiny brass is pretty but I'm more concerned with inside the case.
I was just fishing for a suggestion one way or another as you've now worked with both. I think I can guess at the answer though.

Generally, yes the primer pockets were totally clean. There was the occasional piece that had a tiny bit of black residue left, but I think a little more time in the tumbler would have remedied that.

 

[Droff]

I am totally sold on the stainless steel pin tumbling. I may find a use for my vibratory tumbler again, but for now, it's going on the shelf. Whether you use a homemade unit or a commercial Thumlers Tumber like Jedabug and I are now using, the results speak for themselves. So here are some pros and cons of both but my verdict, after using both is that the Stainless pin system is much more thorough in cleaning. The biggest down side is the time it takes to process dirty brass from start to finish and being careful not to flush the pins down the drain! I am sure I am missing lots of pros and cons on both sides, but here are some things to think about:

Stainless Pros:

• ultra clean brass
• clean brass is easier on reloading equipment
• brass is less apt to tarnish after this process
• easier to identify split cases and bulges
• reflective inside makes it easier to verify powder charge
• more consistent neck tension between rounds
• no dust created during the cleaning process
• properly sized, the stainless pins will not get stuck in flash holes
• perfectly clean primer pockets make for easier, more consistent primer seating
• generally, the wet tumblers are less noisy than a vibratory machine
• wet tumbling, when set up properly takes less time than dry media tumbling (not including drying times)
• Pins last forever.

Stainless Cons:

• Setup is more expensive than vibratory cleaners
• The wet process can be more messy
• Generally requires a sink and access to water to complete
• Stainless pins are not cheap and care must be taken to not lose them during separation
• Seals on the tumbler must be monitored to prevent leaks
• Brass must be rinsed after tumbling
• Brass must be dried after rinsing
• Generally, batches are smaller than in a vibratory tumbler
  

Vibratory Pros

• Vibratory machines can be had cheap, even when bought new.
• Media is cheap and lasts quite a while
• Outside of the brass can be made to look brand new
• Vibratory process will remove sharp edges of trimmed cases
• You can adjust the abrasive level by mixing cob and walnut (though it's not recommended)
• No rinsing
• No drying
• Adding a polish additive to prevent tarnishing is easy
• A little lost media is no big deal
• Access to water and a sink aren't needed. a simple colander can separate media from brass

Vibratory Cons:

• Machines can be noisy
• Dust created can be hard on the body (dryer sheet doesn't always capture it all)
• Media wears out, requiring replacement
• Generally, the process takes longer than wet tumbling
• You end up with walnut media everywhere. be prepared to sweep up
• Insides of the brass are generally not cleaned well, leaving lots of carbon and residue behind.
• Media frequently gets caught inside flash holes of cases which i very hard on reloading equipment
• Generally, brass will tarnish more readily after being cleaned this way
• Overloading the machine leads to poor or no cleaning.

Again, the list isn't exhaustive, and others experience may differ than mine.

Thanks for taking the time to answer this Aviator.

 

[aviator41]

You're welcome.

 

[OKCHunter]

I am totally sold on the stainless steel pin tumbling. I may find a use for my vibratory tumbler again, but for now, it's going on the shelf. Whether you use a homemade unit or a commercial Thumlers Tumber like Jedabug and I are now using, the results speak for themselves. So here are some pros and cons of both but my verdict, after using both is that the Stainless pin system is much more thorough in cleaning. The biggest down side is the time it takes to process dirty brass from start to finish and being careful not to flush the pins down the drain! I am sure I am missing lots of pros and cons on both sides, but here are some things to think about:

Stainless Pros:

• ultra clean brass
• clean brass is easier on reloading equipment
• brass is less apt to tarnish after this process
• easier to identify split cases and bulges
• reflective inside makes it easier to verify powder charge
• more consistent neck tension between rounds
• no dust created during the cleaning process
• properly sized, the stainless pins will not get stuck in flash holes
• perfectly clean primer pockets make for easier, more consistent primer seating
• generally, the wet tumblers are less noisy than a vibratory machine
• wet tumbling, when set up properly takes less time than dry media tumbling (not including drying times)
• Pins last forever.

Stainless Cons:

• Setup is more expensive than vibratory cleaners
• The wet process can be more messy
• Generally requires a sink and access to water to complete
• Stainless pins are not cheap and care must be taken to not lose them during separation
• Seals on the tumbler must be monitored to prevent leaks
• Brass must be rinsed after tumbling
• Brass must be dried after rinsing
• Generally, batches are smaller than in a vibratory tumbler
  

Vibratory Pros

• Vibratory machines can be had cheap, even when bought new.
• Media is cheap and lasts quite a while
• Outside of the brass can be made to look brand new
• Vibratory process will remove sharp edges of trimmed cases
• You can adjust the abrasive level by mixing cob and walnut (though it's not recommended)
• No rinsing
• No drying
• Adding a polish additive to prevent tarnishing is easy
• A little lost media is no big deal
• Access to water and a sink aren't needed. a simple colander can separate media from brass

Vibratory Cons:

• Machines can be noisy
• Dust created can be hard on the body (dryer sheet doesn't always capture it all)
• Media wears out, requiring replacement
• Generally, the process takes longer than wet tumbling
• You end up with walnut media everywhere. be prepared to sweep up
• Insides of the brass are generally not cleaned well, leaving lots of carbon and residue behind.
• Media frequently gets caught inside flash holes of cases which i very hard on reloading equipment
• Generally, brass will tarnish more readily after being cleaned this way
• Overloading the machine leads to poor or no cleaning.

Again, the list isn't exhaustive, and others experience may differ than mine.

Very nice comparison of the two methods. I use carbide sizing dies for many calibers. I was always concerned about dust from vibrating media scratching those dies. SS pin cleaning solved that concern. The "like new" cleanliness inside and out is a nice bonus.