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Anyone doing LARGE BATCH Ultra-Sonic Brass Cleaning? LARGE being defined as a cleaner capacity of 6 liters or (preferably) more.
I ask the question because I have the large size Harbor Freight Ultra-Sonic Cleaner (2.5 Liter) and have found that it does a very acceptable job on SMALL batches (100 Cases or less) and CHOKES on larger batches. I do the cleaning with ½ teaspoon-full of Lemi-Shine and allow the cases to sit in this solution no more than 15 minutes as Lemi-Shine appears to contain BOTH Acidic & Citric Acids. Acidic Acid (a primary ingredient of Vinegar) will slowly and relentlessly pit and leech out copper / zinc components of brass. On the other hand, Citric Acid is actually good for brass (GOOGLE it!)
The US cleaning cycle is normally 2 x 8 Minutes followed by a clean water rinse and 15 minute soak in a mild Citric Acid solution. The brass is then rinsed again and âair driedâ over night with results better than vibratory, but not as good as wet SS tumbling. This is a subjective "re-load-ability", not "beauty contest" judgment based on case cleanliness inside and primer pocket residue removed. Results: While the primer pockets are much cleaner (than vibratory), the cases are âbrightâ and largely spot-free, but not as âshinyâ.
I am experimenting with a longer âpre-soakâ of brass in a mild Citric Acid solution in an attempt to soften primer pocket residue and improve Ultra Sonic Cleaner performance.
BTW: There is a good amount of information already posted on brass cleaning using Stainless Steel Tumbling. I personally have a one that I built and am quite satisfied with it ⦠However, alternatives that are less labor-intensive are always good to consider!
Hopefully, the following links will provide future inquirers answers and save them from having to post the question âSS Tumblingâ again:
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/th...sing-stainless-tumbling?highlight=Ultra+Sonic
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/91211-Stainless-Steel-tumbling?highlight=Ultra+Sonic
I ask the question because I have the large size Harbor Freight Ultra-Sonic Cleaner (2.5 Liter) and have found that it does a very acceptable job on SMALL batches (100 Cases or less) and CHOKES on larger batches. I do the cleaning with ½ teaspoon-full of Lemi-Shine and allow the cases to sit in this solution no more than 15 minutes as Lemi-Shine appears to contain BOTH Acidic & Citric Acids. Acidic Acid (a primary ingredient of Vinegar) will slowly and relentlessly pit and leech out copper / zinc components of brass. On the other hand, Citric Acid is actually good for brass (GOOGLE it!)
The US cleaning cycle is normally 2 x 8 Minutes followed by a clean water rinse and 15 minute soak in a mild Citric Acid solution. The brass is then rinsed again and âair driedâ over night with results better than vibratory, but not as good as wet SS tumbling. This is a subjective "re-load-ability", not "beauty contest" judgment based on case cleanliness inside and primer pocket residue removed. Results: While the primer pockets are much cleaner (than vibratory), the cases are âbrightâ and largely spot-free, but not as âshinyâ.
I am experimenting with a longer âpre-soakâ of brass in a mild Citric Acid solution in an attempt to soften primer pocket residue and improve Ultra Sonic Cleaner performance.
BTW: There is a good amount of information already posted on brass cleaning using Stainless Steel Tumbling. I personally have a one that I built and am quite satisfied with it ⦠However, alternatives that are less labor-intensive are always good to consider!
Hopefully, the following links will provide future inquirers answers and save them from having to post the question âSS Tumblingâ again:
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/th...sing-stainless-tumbling?highlight=Ultra+Sonic
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/91211-Stainless-Steel-tumbling?highlight=Ultra+Sonic
