Pc70 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) After reading all posts about wet tumbling with and without pins I started thinking (yeah that in and of itself is scary). I get my brass from the outdoor range we shoot at so its always dirty / packed with mud. I usually use a cheesecloth garment bag to put the brass in so I can shake a good amount of the debris off. Last night while separating the brass I just wondered if throwing it in the washing machine with load of laundry wouldn't help speed up the process. I would wash and dry the brass with my jeans and then when I was ready to get around to loading I could throw it in the tumbler with the walnut shells for final cleaning. So how far off base am I? I figure as long as SWMBO doesn't know what's it hurt, but if someone has a reason not to do this other than my wife killing me I am all ears. Edited August 16, 2019 by Pc70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Try it and let us know the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yondering Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 As long as the bag doesn't come open or wear a hole in it, it should be fine. I'd be inclined to close the bag with a good zip tie; knots tend to come loose. If that doesn't work, you can always do a citric acid/soap soak. That's what I do, for the same reasons you mentioned. Then dry in the oven at 250° and tumble in corn cob and case polish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 The first bag is in the washer now.....triple bagged. We will know shortly how it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 It worked (mostly). I need to find a tougher bag to put the brass in since the brass wore holes through all 3 bags and spit brass out in the washing machine. Good thing I went to check and SWMBO didn't see it. The brass is now on a towel to dry but it's CLEAN inside and out. Maybe a small burlap sack would hold up. Before and After pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yondering Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Use her pillow case next time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 She is Irish, Syrian, and a Redhead.....I’m sure using her pillow cases will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 The experiment worked better than anticipated. I wonder where I can find burlap. Little 1 to 5 pound capacity sacks so the spin cycle can balance. I bet a trip through the dryer would be great and that saves me the price of a dedicated wet tumbler with short dry time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Check Michaels, hobby Lobby or Joann’s for burlap bags. Most hobby shop stores sell them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Thanks, there is a Michaels just down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenstone Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Do you really want to clean something with lead dust etc. in it, in your washing machine/drier … with your clothes?? Not something I'd do, jmo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2tuf4u Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Kenstone --not only the lead, but also any mercury compounds---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenstone Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 1 hour ago, 2tuf4u said: Kenstone --not only the lead, but also any mercury compounds---- That's included in the "etc" But yeh, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Actually, without doing swab tests I was probably exposed to more at the match today than I would see with the deep water wash and two rinses. To each their own. Proof of concept was done. I'm sure a small apartment clothes washer could be had cheaper than a F.A.R.T. if I was too concerned and that may actually happen to keep SWMBO from killing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m700 Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I would just get a tumbler and forget the pins for now. Apartment washers are still a few hundred and youd have to pipe it out. Your better off with a fart and no pins for now. Or if you come across a low speed motor make a tumbler yourself I would not want dirty brass in my washer either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 Actually Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace turned up quite a few small apartment sized machines for less than $75 in my area. All are MUCH larger than the FART. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenstone Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 On 8/17/2019 at 4:04 PM, Pc70 said: Actually, without doing swab tests I was probably exposed to more at the match today than I would see with the deep water wash and two rinses. To each their own. Proof of concept was done. I'm sure a small apartment clothes washer could be had cheaper than a F.A.R.T. if I was too concerned and that may actually happen to keep SWMBO from killing me. My concern was more with your family than you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSteel Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 So, where does the waste water dump into?? Are you on a public waste water system or your own septic?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 2 minutes ago, NoSteel said: So, where does the waste water dump into?? Are you on a public waste water system or your own septic?? I dump it right down the drain. Public Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 My septic system went the way of the do-do bird a long time ago. It's public now. Same place my greasy, brake dust, welding slag covered coverall wash water goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pc70 Posted August 29, 2019 Author Share Posted August 29, 2019 So just to get this back on topic, I talked to a buddy of mine in the Dallas area who actually works at a testing lab (he is the reason I will NEVER eat a mcnugget) and was told point blank....walking down a busy roadway exposes me to to more harmful chemicals due to the dust kicked up than what I proposed. BUT I do take the sentiment to heart and rest assured I don't plan on this being no more than the proof of concept it was and will be buying an apartment washing machine off Craigslist. Given the amount of automobile work I have done over the years including when Asbestos was used in brake and clutch linings I have no want, need, nor desire to expose myself to more harmful chemicals than necessary. So, back on point.....burlap sacks were not in my area but cheap pillow cases are; as are cheap tywraps to keep the little sacks-o-cleanliness closed. BINGO....going to buy washer this weekend and get to it. Next is tumble with walnut shells to see how much cleaner I can get them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Amazon have burlap bags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seowitz Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 On 8/17/2019 at 10:42 AM, Kenstone said: Do you really want to clean something with lead dust etc. in it, in your washing machine/drier … with your clothes?? Not something I'd do, jmo ** THIS ** Also, if you got a wet tumbler, then you'd be using a solution that better cleans and shines the brass (NO pins required) and will not potentially clog up your washer/washer drain with sediment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 oh what a riot! good idea... now to find a used washer. ummm how much brass are you planning to clean? give up on the cloth bags... line the drum with something like astro-turf dry in the sun... how you avoided getting busted is beyond me. My sweetie defends her washer with threats of great harm while I snore.... miranda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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