Anyone ever tumble unplated 'bucker covers?

[fieldwrangler]

If so, what sort of media did you use?

If not, what would you try first?

[big_teee]

There are all kinds of tumblers, and vibrator tumblers in ammo reloading.
I use walnut, and corn cob media to vibrate ammo brass.
That should work with the covers too.
T

[fieldwrangler]

There are all kinds of tumblers, and vibrator tumblers in ammo reloading.
I use walnut, and corn cob media to vibrate ammo brass.
That should work with the covers too.
T

Thanks, T!

I hear tell that I should be looking for some kindof treated shells to minimize cleaning afterwards.

One guy sez that torn up dryer sheets thrown in there absorb a lot of this potential residue.

Bob P

[fieldwrangler]

So, I used a rotary tumbler containing 6 covers and ground walnut shell material (from the pet store) using various times from 1-10 hours tumbling time.

Result was (as I pretty much expected) that the longer times produced a very nice finish, except for the scratches from the other covers being dragged along the surface.

Vibratory unit may be next.

[Richard]

I'm under the impression that when rocks are tumbled several are put in at the same time. I'm curious as to why the rocks do not have problems scratching each other but pickup covers do.

[big_teee]

Wouldn't the covers scratch because of the back edges and back corners being very sharp.
What about a block of wood that is a tight press in fit, stuck in the back of the cover, that sticks out past the edges.
I would think a vibrator would be a better fit, compared to a true tumbler.
T

[rjb]

FWIW, my girlfriend tumbles metal jewelry in stainless steel shot and soapy water.

EDIT:
I was wrong; GF uses a rotary tumbler for rocks and a vibratory tumbler* (not a vibrator ) for metal.
But as shown in the video, somebody polishes metal in rotary tumblers with steel shot and water.

* Had to look up the proper term.

[big_teee]

I have one of these.
Check about 4:30 minutes, you can see how it vibrates.
This should work for covers too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA0nywULP7Q

[elipsey]

I have one of these.
Check about 4:30 minutes, you can see how it vibrates.
This should work for covers too.

Probly a little off topic, but how much do you save by reloading? Is reliability a problem?

My experience with reloads was a whole lot of jams, but that was a long time ago, and maybe they did it wrong...

[big_teee]

You're right your off topic.
I was just trying to show the use of the Lyman vibratory tumbler with media!
We would have to discuss reloading somewhere else.
T

[David King]

Big Tee, your first amendment rights are totally interfering with his second amendment rights! What if an intruder was breaking down his door? Should he reach for the viboratory tumbler or a fresh shell? Inquiring minds want to know NOW!

[big_teee]

Big Tee, your first amendment rights are totally interfering with his second amendment rights! What if an intruder was breaking down his door? Should he reach for the viboratory tumbler or a fresh shell? Inquiring minds want to know NOW!

Whatever!

[elipsey]

Big Tee, your first amendment rights are totally interfering with his second amendment rights! What if an intruder was breaking down his door? Should he reach for the viboratory tumbler or a fresh shell? Inquiring minds want to know NOW!

Lol, I shouldn't have thread-jacked. At this rate, we will have to take the thread out back and shoot it.

[WolfeMacleod]

I used a vibratory unit for a while. Wasn't very happy with it.
I've also used a regular rock tumbler. Wasn't really happy with it either.

[fieldwrangler]

Personally, I enjoy the way a thread can just shoot off in a new direction.

Thanks for all of this.

My tumbling experience is currently way under 100 hours; if I do get something that works well I'll report back.

Tomorrow I'm gonna try taking the unplaced covers through a few stages of Scotch-Brite and maybe some polish. Thinking about grabbing a random orbital polisher to see what that's all about.