Another Cleaning Thread - Copper Media

[Hod Lipson]

I have some SS media ordered, but given the chance that the SS media might damage the anodized aluminum baffles (have seen no definitive proof that it does), I want to give an alternative a try first. I have seen the posts from multiple members that ‘it works’ and ‘you shouldn't do that’

I looked and looked and looked and looked for brass wire cut shot but could not find it anywhere, other than at H&H in OK, but they will not ship. I reached Kevin at pelletsllc and after some discussion about what I was trying to do, we decided to give copper cut wire shot a try. The size he is sending me is the 0.080” / 2mm. We also discussed that there may be some color transference - we'll see

No dirty silencers yet; will hopefully change that on Sat. I will take pictures of the cleaning process.

http://www.pelletsllc.com/CutWireShot/CutWireShotSizes

[HK45]

I'm very interested in the outcome of your experiment.
I'd love to be able to tumble clean my anodized aluminum baffles.

[Bendersquint]

I have some SS media ordered, but given the chance that the SS media might damage the anodized aluminum baffles (have seen no definitive proof that it does), I want to give an alternative a try first. I have seen the posts from multiple members that ‘it works’ and ‘you shouldn't do that’

I looked and looked and looked and looked for brass wire cut shot but could not find it anywhere, other than at H&H in OK, but they will not ship. I reached Kevin at pelletsllc and after some discussion about what I was trying to do, we decided to give copper cut wire shot a try. The size he is sending me is the 0.080” / 2mm. We also discussed that there may be some color transference - we'll see

No dirty silencers yet; will hopefully change that on Sat. I will take pictures of the cleaning process.

http://www.pelletsllc.com/CutWireShot/CutWireShotSizes

We did a test awhile back wit SS pins and it DID damage the anodizing on baffles.

[Hod Lipson]

We did a test awhile back wit SS pins and it DID damage the anodizing on baffles.

I could never find the threads - any pics?

[Bendersquint]

We did a test awhile back wit SS pins and it DID damage the anodizing on baffles.

I could never find the threads - any pics?

Not sure if I uploaded any pics but it damaged the anodizing pretty bad.

If I can't find any pictures I will run another baffle through the SS tumbler and take a picture of it.

[Hod Lipson]

We did a test awhile back wit SS pins and it DID damage the anodizing on baffles.

I could never find the threads - any pics?

Not sure if I uploaded any pics but it damaged the anodizing pretty bad. If I can't find any pictures I will run another baffle through the SS tumbler and take a picture of it.

No worries - don't do it just for me. I am sure there variables to control for (speed, volume of media, volume of water, volume of items being cleaned, etc. etc.) but I'm not interested in controlling for all of them.

If the copper doesn't clean sufficiently with the roughly 6 hour tumbling session, maybe I add a few handfuls of SS to help? IDK - we'll see.

[saigatechusa]

I would look at some of the solvents that are safe for aluminum and disolve copper

boretech copper eliminator work well for me

[Hod Lipson]

I would look at some of the solvents that are safe for aluminum and disolve copper boretech copper eliminator work well for me

I'm not looking to dissolve my media!

[Hod Lipson]

So here is the copper media I received from pelletsllc.com today. Pellets! For some reason I had imagined it'd be the cut wire, but this will do to start out.









The stainless media I purchased, for comparison.

[SRM]

I'll take the SS if you dont want it.

[IB Slingin]

Can I use the stainless steel media(pins) to clean my AAC Element baffles? The baffles are stainless as well.

[Bendersquint]

Can I use the stainless steel media(pins) to clean my AAC Element baffles? The baffles are stainless as well.

Yup.

[doubloon]

So here is the copper media I received from pelletsllc.com today. Pellets! For some reason I had imagined it'd be the cut wire, but this will do to start out. .,,

You might be able to roll some of them into pins but it would be tedious to do by hand.

[Hod Lipson]

I'll take the SS if you dont want it.

I'll hold on to it for now, thanks. You can get it via Amazon or most any online distributor.

So here is the copper media I received from pelletsllc.com today. Pellets! For some reason I had imagined it'd be the cut wire, but this will do to start out. .,,

You might be able to roll some of them into pins but it would be tedious to do by hand.

With a teeny rolling pin? I'll see how this media does unmodified before I decide what to do next.

[Hod Lipson]

Summary:

Overall I am happy with the results that copper provides, but I think I will have to clean the cans pretty much after every range trip to keep things relatively clean. The media separation, cleaning, management is a bit of a task, but not as much as hand scrubbing each baffle I suppose!

I did use the SS media on the spring and piston adapter on the TR45. I may try the SS media on the baffles next time just to have a comparison point; undecided.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Only ~100 rounds on the TR45 and about 50 rounds on the P2. Here are the results:

TR45
~1 hour of tumbling with water, soap, and copper media
~1 hour tumbling with water and copper media

dirty








clean











P2
~1 hour of tumbling with water, soap, and copper media
~1 hour of tumbling with fresh water, soap, and copper media
~1 hour tumbling with water and copper media

The steel baffle did require me to scrape a little lead off the face - you can see that in the pictures.

dirty








clean

[doubloon]

... With a teeny rolling pin? I'll see how this media does unmodified before I decide what to do next.

So I guess everybody doesn't have one of these?

[Hod Lipson]

Ha - very cool

[OJB4]

... With a teeny rolling pin? I'll see how this media does unmodified before I decide what to do next.

So I guess everybody doesn't have one of these?

NEGATIVE!

[BigWonton]

Thanks for doing the legwork on this.

Do you know if he has the capability to make copper pins? If he did a large batch I know I'd be in for a few pounds.

[Hod Lipson]

Thanks for doing the legwork on this. Do you know if he has the capability to make copper pins? If he did a large batch I know I'd be in for a few pounds.

You are welcome. I emailed him yesterday with that very question. Will report back