M14 Forum

SAPPNASTY · February 11th, 2012, 09:43 AM

I am currently conducting a review of the RCBS Sidewinder Tumbler. Up to this point I have cleaned about 1,000 cases with dry media. The Sidewinder is really good at making the brass come out very clean, but is still a little dull. I have recently been adding a small amount of brasso to the media to help the cases shine a little better.

Because I am reviewing the Sidewinder, I need to cover all points and benfits of using it. Now the second thing the Sidewinder tumbler does, is clean brass with a provided 8oz liquid media. The directions say add 2 to 4 oz to one gallon of water. However, then the directions say no not let the liquid fill over the bottim lip when the body is placed into the base. Why mix 1 gallon if you can't even use it all in the body? I don't understand the directions so any help would be great! Thanks

-Sapp

BLACKTAIL 8541 · February 11th, 2012, 10:10 AM

It is just a referance for the ratio of cleaner to fluid. You can mix up any amount you like, just need to keep the ratio.

If you really want to get the best out of the sidewinder, use some stainless steel media.

What a lot of people do not understand about case cleaning is the fact that the media alone will only clean the cases. It will also shine to a certain extent, but to get the really high shine in a reasonable amount of time, an additive is really needed. Even with corn cobb that has been used a few times.

The edges on the media that does the cleaning and polishing break down fairly rapidly and the media looses its effectiveness. The additives retore that effectiveness. Stainless media last just about forever and is very cost effective in the long run.

SAPPNASTY · February 11th, 2012, 01:31 PM

I plan to get some, but for the review I plan to cover only what ships with the tumbler. Thank you for clearing that up for me...I was like, if I mix up a gallon it will fill it completely full! I feel like and idiot now!

kgcoker · February 11th, 2012, 01:50 PM

Stainless steel rods work great for me. I just fill to the lip of the tumbler.
I have tried several additives and they all work. Dish washing detergent seems to work as well as anything I have tried.

KG

Bimmer · February 12th, 2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAPPNASTY

I have recently been adding a small amount of brasso to the media to help the cases shine a little better.

Uh-oh.

AFAIK, "Brasso" contains ammonia, which "polishes" brass by removing the top surface.

Again, just AFAIK, but "Brasso" basically eats brass.

FWIW, the guys at Snipers Hide and Cast Boolits like citric acid (or "LemiShine," which is mostly citric acid)... it doesn't eat brass, and it shines it up nicely.