Cleaning Brass for Reloading using Ultrasonics.

[Lee G.]

Has anyone here tried one of those Ultrasonic cleaners that are out in the market like the one Hornady produces? I have been looking into them and see that they all do basically the same thing and have come to the conclusion that it's more or less the solution you use that makes them work. I picked up a cheap one from Harbor Freight it holds more than the Hornady and was quite a bit cheaper $59.95 Need a good solvent to try on brass now. Heard of a few homemade mixes but haven't tried any because this is a new experiment.

[twoguns]

try using ordinary dishwasher detergent, like Cascade with hot water. It is cheap and has surfactants to force the dirt to go into suspension with the water and subsequently wash away.

Rinse twice and then let to dry in an oven of about 150 to 175 degrees F. Not hot enough to anneal but enough to dry the brass off. The detergent is alkaline base so it won't make all your brass shiny. If you want shiny then use a little vinegar and wash them again. Rinse twice as well.

Cost effective and does not use any type of petroleum based cleaner that may have a tendency to weaken the case through chemical deterioration.

[Lee G.]

I will give it a try. Was looking for some Birchwood Casey Case Cleaner. Found a mix that sounds good too. Does anyone know a place local that carries Birchwood products? I haven't located any close. Would like to pick some up tomorrow.

[Lee G.]

Tried the Cascade, it didn't work very well, but made a mix I found on the net and you wouldn't believe how well it works.

24 minutes -- 50% Vinegar and water + 1 drop dish soap / 8 ounces water.
380 seconds - Birchwood Casey Case Cleaner.
380 seconds - Hot Water.
380 seconds - Distilled water.
Total: 43 Minutes.
Cost: $2.00 / gallon Vinegar and $4.00 / gallon Birchwood Casey Case Cleaner.
Cases look like factory new, primer pockets spotless. Clean and Shiney. Chamber real smooth too.

[wa3ra]

Hell, I throw 'em in a tumbler with rice. Bag of rice = $1.59.

[fingers80002]

Hell, I throw 'em in a tumbler with rice. Bag of rice = $1.59.

Before, or after de-capping??????

[wa3ra]

After. I use an airhose to spray them out (I have an airbrush compressor), once in a while, you'll get a grain in the hole, but usually, it's just a little dust.

I used to sit in front of the TV with a couple of buckets, I'd watch a football game and take the primers out of everything at one time.

[twoguns]

cleaning your brass before de-capping and resizing will preserve the life of your dies...especially if you scrounge range brass that might be muddy or really dirty from kicking around on the floor or in the dirt.

[normanvin]

What unit are you useing? What length of time are you cleaning them for.

[wa3ra]

It was an old rock tumbler, stainless steel bottle and rubber wheels , turning like 120 rpm. I'd stick 'em in at night and take them out when I got up in the morning.

You can build your own tumbler very easily, just a motor and timer, a few rubber wheels, and a glass or metal bottle. Just make sure the you out the bottle on so the lid moves in the 'tighten' direction, not the 'off' direction!