Cundiff5535 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Anyone have a good way to sort brass? I really hate doing it, and do not want to drop 1K on a sorter. I have the three plates but I do not think they are very useful. I do use the plate by hand... and have heard that I can put them on something that vibrates and it will do the work for me. With over 30 5gal buckets to sort... I want to get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) i think this will be your best way without spending 1k plus from the video description We've been using the shell sorter plates for a few years now, and they work well. The hassle is the manual operation which kills elbows and shoulders. Thanks to a customer of ours, he showed us a video where he mated a 5 Gallon bucket to a Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler. This was one of the fastest, and easiest repurposings we've done. Simply remove the un-needed parts from the tumbler, drill 5 holes in a bucket, and re-assemble. Drop in a second bucket, then the appropriate shell sorting plate, and save your elbows/shoulders from abuse. same one in video they have a cheaper $50 version that should work dont forget the %20 off coupon http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html Edited January 18, 2016 by Smeeg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 jmorris made his own awesome one but its out of my skill level http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11364&hl=%20home%20%20made%20%20brass%20%20sorter&page=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 There is sorting brass... and then there is sorting brass. If you don't care what stamps your brass is - then something like that will work. If, however, you care about the head stamps, then you need to do it by hand. I am not sure why people are so afraid of sorting by hand... you can do 1000pcs in 20 minutes if you are separating by head stamps. Much less if you don't. I shoot Open, so to me head stamps are important. So when I get a batch of new mixed brass, I clean it, and then sort by hand - there are those brands that I would not use in my Open gun. If you clean it in a rotary tumbler first, the job is then very clean. I used to sort the brass before cleaning - but I don't do that any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cundiff5535 Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 First, thanks for the cool sorting idea. I am going to give this a try this weekend! As for being afraid to sort by hand, no... I just have a lot, a back back, and bad shoulders... and I seriously do not have time to do it. I work jobs, have two kids, a wife that keeps me busy at home, and travel a ton for one of those jobs... Literally busier than I know what to do. When I do have time, sorting by hand isnt the end of the world, I just do not enjoy it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom S. Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 First, thanks for the cool sorting idea. I am going to give this a try this weekend! As for being afraid to sort by hand, no... I just have a lot, a back back, and bad shoulders... and I seriously do not have time to do it. I work jobs, have two kids, a wife that keeps me busy at home, and travel a ton for one of those jobs... Literally busier than I know what to do. When I do have time, sorting by hand isnt the end of the world, I just do not enjoy it.... You've got two kids? Sounds like the problem's solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cundiff5535 Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 First, thanks for the cool sorting idea. I am going to give this a try this weekend! As for being afraid to sort by hand, no... I just have a lot, a back back, and bad shoulders... and I seriously do not have time to do it. I work jobs, have two kids, a wife that keeps me busy at home, and travel a ton for one of those jobs... Literally busier than I know what to do. When I do have time, sorting by hand isnt the end of the world, I just do not enjoy it.... You've got two kids? Sounds like the problem's solved. Lol, they are a bit to young for sorting brass... Soon though!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) sorting by hand... you can do 1000pcs in 20 minutesA 5 gallon bucket can hold more than 8000 9mm cases. The OP has 30, 5 gallon buckets of brass, that's 80 hours of work if you don't stop or happen to mess up and drop the wrong case in the wrong pile.You can drink beer and not get your hands dirty with something like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFw7IcQUmgs Edited January 19, 2016 by jmorris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I think the level depends on the amount you have to sort. This one looks pretty cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chutist Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Any idea's on where to get the buckets for a REASONABLE price? $70 is too steep for 3 plastic buckets: http://www.amazon.com/Shell-Sorter-Value-Sorting-Caliber/dp/B00805G8K8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Dawsonprecision.com. $37.95 for the 3 with free ship. My wife bought me a set for Christmas. I taped .38 Special to the walls of the bottom two pans in 4 places to give the pans more seperation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckols Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 5-gal Plastic buckets like a drywall bucket? Home Depot sells them new for $5 so I guess you wight be asking about a metal(/) 5-gal bucket? I have no idea either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 5-gal Plastic buckets like a drywall bucket? Home Depot sells them new for $5 so I guess you wight be asking about a metal(/) 5-gal bucket? I have no idea either. He is asking about "buckets" with slots machined in them so it will separate brass by diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 There website has better prices http://www.shellsorter.com/products/shell-sorter?variant=1164526836 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ADE7uqjD1z0&time_continue=190&ebc=ANyPxKpar4ibMiBYNgacI6fXFwTt-wmszX3IOoPwjbccNM6yeGjiGOXNQOuPSx6Kt9XSgR4Es-4cC-jS27FlA5UG_srcP7faYA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=enWL7-eRvqM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chutist Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 5-gal Plastic buckets like a drywall bucket? Home Depot sells them new for $5 so I guess you wight be asking about a metal(/) 5-gal bucket? I have no idea either. He is asking about "buckets" with slots machined in them so it will separate brass by diameter. There website has better prices http://www.shellsorter.com/products/shell-sorter?variant=1164526836 Dawsonprecision.com. $37.95 for the 3 with free ship. My wife bought me a set for Christmas. I taped .38 Special to the walls of the bottom two pans in 4 places to give the pans more seperation. Thanks guys, $39 is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastly Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 One thing is to use the shell sorter plates more efficiently. I use one 5 gallon bucket with a lid as a stand. Another as the catch bucket. A lid over the top of a sorter tray lets you shake loose nested cases. The bucket stack makes shaking and swirling easier and more ergonomic. 30 buckets is still a lot of work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJP161 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 i think this will be your best way without spending 1k plus from the video description We've been using the shell sorter plates for a few years now, and they work well. The hassle is the manual operation which kills elbows and shoulders. Thanks to a customer of ours, he showed us a video where he mated a 5 Gallon bucket to a Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler. This was one of the fastest, and easiest repurposings we've done. Simply remove the un-needed parts from the tumbler, drill 5 holes in a bucket, and re-assemble. Drop in a second bucket, then the appropriate shell sorting plate, and save your elbows/shoulders from abuse. same one in video they have a cheaper $50 version that should work dont forget the %20 off coupon http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HaiW8e33a0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYLmZ7RSXc0 That is pretty slick, I believe I will have to give it a try one day, thanks for sharing Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cundiff5535 Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) Thanks so much for all the replies here, I got the $50 5lbs deal from Harbor Freight last night... I drilled one hole in a bucket, and literally was able to take the bowl off the tumbler and attach the bucket without any mods. I might cut down the marge screw that sticks up so I can use two buckets I also just used the plate that comes on the base from harbor freight. I did about 1/3 of a bucket in like 5 mins... Works awesome!!!! I am considering taking it back and getting the large tumber, but not sure if it's worth it since I know what I have works... I'll let you guys know what I decide. Anyway, I appreciate the help on this, it's gonna make my life a lot easier. Edited January 23, 2016 by Cundiff5535 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeeg Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Thanks so much for all the replies here, I got the $50 5lbs deal from Harbor Freight last night... I drilled one hole in a bucket, and literally was able to take the bowl off the tumbler and attach the bucket without any mods. I might cut down the marge screw that sticks up so I can use two buckets I also just used the plate that comes on the base from harbor freight. I did about 1/3 of a bucket in like 5 mins... Works awesome!!!! I am considering taking it back and getting the large tumber, but not sure if it's worth it since I know what I have works... I'll let you guys know what I decide. Anyway, I appreciate the help on this, it's gonna make my life a lot easier. Let me know how the 5lb one works long term Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cundiff5535 Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share Posted January 24, 2016 (edited) I actually took back the 5lb one and got the large one... First attempt with the larger one and I had brass everyplace... Ono it's Just To powerful. I Took the big one bag and got the 5lb again, seporated 3 bullets in less than an hour... I'm sure if I have issues, I'll report back, but I think this 5lb deal works better than the big one Edited January 25, 2016 by Cundiff5535 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamboo Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Good post. Watching vids of the big Harbor Freight unit with the sorting pans it looked like there was a lot of vibration. One of the vids showed a lyman1200 that worked pretty well, and that is a light weight machine probably on par with the HF 5 pounder. I'm thinking a lyman 2500 with 3.5 gallon buckets would be somewhere in between and worth a try. Looks like a quick way to sort the .45s and 40s out of the 9mm/38 supers/380s. Unfortunately, that 9mm/38 brass still needs hand sorting for us mere mortals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cundiff5535 Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) Looks like a quick way to sort the .45s and 40s out of the 9mm/38 supers/380s. Unfortunately, that 9mm/38 brass still needs hand sorting for us mere mortals. For me, since almost all the brass I get is 9/40/45/223, this is fine, I don't care to pull the 223 out of the 9mm tray or the 38 out of the 40 tray. I guess I could go through 9 to double check if there is 380, but if there is, it's not much at all. Edited January 26, 2016 by Cundiff5535 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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