Clean walnut media?

[Ole_270]

Any ideas on cleaning ground walnut cleaning media? Been running the 45 acp and 45 colt cases through the old Lyman vibrator and the lube left over from the bullets has got the media really sticky. Clean it or just throw it away?
I checked the local walmart for pet litter type walnut media and they didn't have anything that wasn't loaded with powder to dry up the cat urine.

 

[Brad]

I threw it away

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

Yup I would just replace it
If ya have a harbor freight check if they have walnut media I got a box last's a long time----don't remember maybe 30 lb or so

 

[Ole_270]

Which grit did you get, fine or coarse? Got my son checking the HF about 5 miles from his house, I'm 100 miles away.
Looks like Lowes has it too.

 

[fiver]

you can get a lot of the gunk out by using used dryer sheets. [don't use new ones or you'll have other problems]
keeping the media clean extends it's useful life, but eventually the walnut loses it's sharp edges and doesn't scrape the brass as well.
strips of paper towel will get the lube out some too, so I tend to alternate the sheets and the towel as long as I can.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I tried kerosene. Made it cleaner but doesn't work as well as new and simply it aint THAT expensive.
I agree just use till it shows not as good and scrap old buy new.

CW

 

[Winelover]

I use old dryer sheets. Every so often, I add a little Iosso case polish to reactivate. About every six months, I replace the walnut media ( Lizard Litter)....................I shoot a lot.

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

Just went out and checked box I have said FINE
Jeff

 

[dale2242]

I add Berrys brass polish to my walnut media.
When it gets dirty and stops cleaning/polishing the cases I toss it.
It is cheap if you buy in quantity.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

Since access to new media can be an issue, a soak in hot water and Dawn will help cut the grease so you can rinse it off. Agitate the container well so the debris will fall from the media and settle out. Straining through a non-food use colander lined with old T shirt and flush with clean water. Let drain well and pour out into a shallow pan to air dry. You might be shocked at the amount of grit, brass flakes and black residue that sticks to the T shirt when strained. As the media dries, it will shrink a little and can shed more dust. Once dry, run it in the cleaner with the suggested used drier sheets or cut paper towels before use with brass.

If you get new walnut media, you are going to have to run it with paper towel strips to remove the excess dust anyway or end up with dusty brass.

 

[waco]

I add a shot of mineral spirits and a drizzle of NU Finish car polish to my walnut. Seems to keep things going longer.

 

[Ole_270]

Thanks guys, hopefully the son will find some in Joplin. I run used dryer sheets or strips of paper towel at every loading. Amazing the amount of grit they take out. Problem here is the excess lube made the media sticky and clumpy. Put some mineral spirits in it and ran with the lid off and it just made it a uniform sticky mess. Threw it out and will use some I had put back used till I can get new.
Forgot to add, this was some of the Lyman red media my son in law had given me. Maybe all that polish and red dye made it easier for the lube to glue up.

 

[358156 hp]

I got desperate once and set my tumbler outside and drained a can of brake cleaner into it using the straw that came with the brake cleaner, then I let it run outside for a couple of hours. That did a really good job at cleaning the media and the tumbler bowl. The only problem is that a can of brake cleaner costs much more than a bowl of lizard litter. This solution wasn't worth ever repeating.

 

[blackthorn]

Last bunch I bought I got from a place that did sand blasting. Long time ago now.

 

[JWFilips]

The walnut media get dull so old media will not clean well! Throw it out .
Go to the pet center and get Lizard Bedding It is crushed walnut hulls and is only 1/4 the cost of the reloading stuff!

 

[BudHyett]

Lizard litter on sale.

 

[CZ93X62]

Kramer Industries, Inc. It is a New Jersey firm that specializes in finishing and tumbling media in a variety of materials and sizes. I bought 50# of corn cob grit (#14-#20) in 2012 and still have about 1/3 of that on hand. They sell it treated or untreated, and have treatment additives if you want to create your own concoction.

www.kramerindustriesonline.com

 

[burbank.jung]

Try the feed store. This is where I buy my crushed walnut shells.

 

[dale2242]

I remove most of the dust from the walnut shells by slowly pouring it from one container to another in front of a fan.
Of course do this outside.
Adjust the fan speed and distance from the fan that you pour it so that the fan only blows away the dust and not the shell.
It may take a few passes in front of the fan to get the dust out.
It takes a little time but it is worth it to me to get rid of the dust.

 

[Winelover]

Just an FWI. Lizard Litter (crushed walnut shells) is also available in a dust free option. Last time I bought it off Amazon, that's what I opted for.