12 best tumbling media for steel
Tumbling media for steel, also known as "tumbling media" or "abrasive media," is a type of material used in a tumbling process to deburr, polish, clean, and finish steel and other metal parts. This process is commonly used in various industries, including metalworking, firearms, ammunition manufacturing, and sports shooting.Here's what you need to know about tumbling media for steel:
Purpose: Tumbling media for steel is used in conjunction with a tumbling machine or tumbler to remove burrs, sharp edges, and imperfections from metal parts. It can also be used to achieve a polished or smooth surface finish on steel components.
Types of Media: There are different types of tumbling media available, each designed for specific applications. Common types include ceramic media, plastic media, and stainless steel media. The choice of media depends on the desired finish and the material being processed.
Ceramic Media: Ceramic media is a widely used tumbling media for steel. It comes in various shapes and sizes, such as triangles, cylinders, and spheres. Ceramic media is known for its durability and effectiveness in removing burrs and achieving a consistent finish.
Plastic Media: Plastic tumbling media is often used for polishing and light deburring of steel and other metals. It is less abrasive than ceramic media and is suitable for delicate or precision parts.
Stainless Steel Media: Stainless steel media is highly durable and resistant to corrosion. It is often used for heavy deburring and polishing applications on steel and other ferrous metals.
Shapes and Sizes: Tumbling media comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including cones, balls, cylinders, and more. The choice of media shape and size depends on the specific part geometry and desired finish.
Tumbling Process: The tumbling process involves placing the steel parts and the selected tumbling media into a tumbler or vibratory machine. The machine then agitates the media and parts, causing them to rub against each other. This action removes burrs and imperfections and imparts the desired finish.
Time and Speed: The duration of the tumbling process and the speed of the machine are important factors that determine the quality of the finish. Longer tumbling times and higher speeds can result in a smoother and shinier surface.
Water or Compound: In some cases, water or a specialized compound may be added to the tumbling process to aid in cleaning and lubrication. This can enhance the efficiency of the process and improve the finish.
Safety Precautions: When working with tumbling media and machinery, it's essential to follow safety precautions, including wearing appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, and ensuring proper ventilation in the workspace.
Tumbling media for steel plays a crucial role in metal finishing processes, helping to improve the quality and appearance of steel parts used in various applications, including firearms, ammunition, and other tactical and sporting equipment. The choice of media and the tumbling process parameters should be carefully selected to achieve the desired results for a specific application.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best tumbling media for steel on the market
2 lb Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Pins - 0.047" Diameter, 0.255" Length
BC Precision
Product description
Stainless steel pins never wear out and will last a lifetime. These are perfect for use in a wet tumbler for polishing brass, steel, aluminum, or titanium. Most commonly used for brass cartridge cleaning, the .047" diameter prevents the pins from getting stuck side by side in flash holes but they will pass through all flash holes one at a time. Fill your tumbler with pins and brass but be sure to leave space to allow tumbling action. Add clean hot water until the tumbler is nearly full. Cold water will work just fine but hot water cleans faster. Add approximately ½ tablespoon Dawn liquid dish detergent (or comparable brand) per 1 lb of brass. The amount of detergent used is not critical but must be enough to ensure good suds remain at the end of the cycle. Run until clean which is typically between 30 minutes and 2 hours. When first starting out check every 15 minutes to see if additional cleaning is necessary. If you don’t see suds after you open your tumbler either you are not using enough soap or the soap is breaking down from running too long. Optional: To achieve the best possible shine add a tablespoon of Lemi Shine dishwasher detergent powder per 1 quart of water. The active ingredient in Lemi Shine is citric acid which dissolves zinc. Remove, rinse, and separate the brass immediately upon stopping the tumbler. As soon as the agitation stops the dirt will start to stick back on the brass so don’t leave it sitting idle in dirty water. Shake dry the brass in a colander and then pour them into the center of a large towel laid out flat. Gather the corners of the towel and roll them around to remove as much water as possible. From there air dry them several days on plastic trays with an occasional turn.
- The highest quality stainless steel produced and cut in Germany
- 0.047" Diameter (1.1938mm)
- 0.255" Length (6.477mm)
- Manufactured from extremely tough 302/304 stainless steel so the pins will last for thousands of cleanings
- Package includes 2 pounds of reusable precision cut pins for use in rotary or magnetic tumblers
User questions & answers
| Question: | Hello can I use this pins in a magnetic tumbler |
| Answer: | It work better with the tumbler |
| Question: | Would these also work in a vibratory polisher or only in a tumbler |
| Answer: | I use 1 pound of pins and soapy water in a 3 pound rock tumbler for cleaning rifle brass. |
| Question: | How much of this do I add to the tumbler during the cycle |
| Answer: | hat depends on what kind of tumbler you have. I have and use the Chicago Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler from Harbor Freight that I use about 3/4 lb of pins in each drum and I can clean approximately 50-75 5.56 cases in 1 hour of tumbling time. |
| Question: | How many rounds of 5.56 do you guys clean with 2lbs of pins at a time |
| Answer: | They are quite stiff and more agressive at first, but soften with use. How long they last depends on hours of use and what you're sanding. Sharp edges will leave a noticeable depression in the drum relatively quickly. Flat surfaces are better for the long haul. They never last as long as I wish they would but I start thinking about replacing after maybe 25 solid hours of use on variety of wood species, sanding old and rough barn timbers. You can use them longer than that, but it takes longer the softer and shorter the bristles become. |
STM Stainless Tumbling Media - 5 lbs - Ammo Reloading/Cleaning/Polishing Supplies
STM
Product description
Original Source of Stainless steel pins. Cylindrical in shape and magnetic. 5Lbs of media is all you need for 15-17lb capacity tumblers. This stainless steel media is designed to work best for polishing brass, but will work with many other applications. Pins will pass through the primer holes. Cleans the primer pocket. Won't work-harden brass. Pins don't rust or wear out so they will never need to be replaced.Cleans better then Corn cob or other similair media. This media will work for ALL case sizes. You need a hexagon style rotary drum. Will NOT work in Vibratory Style systems. Works great with the Rebel 17 Tumbler. See out kit for special savings/offers.
User questions & answers
| Question: | made in usa |
| Answer: | Yes. Made in USA |
| Question: | Do they make shorter length media? Media does NOT work with .22 Hornet - media gets stuck cross-ways inside the cases |
| Answer: | Would could do a custom length. It may take a few months |
| Question: | Has anyone stored these in water and ever had any rust problems |
| Answer: | No rust. They're stainless. |
| Question: | Do you deliver door to door / Germany |
| Answer: | We don't deliver to germany through amazon but we do through other sources and websites. |
5 LB 1/8" Stainless Steel Diagonal Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Tumbler Finishing
BC Precision
Product description
304 Stainless steel diagonal tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and able to stand up to strong compounds. Using a Stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of Stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. Stainless steel media can be used over and over as long as it is stored properly. After using, strain in a fine mesh Strainer and lay out the pieces on a dry towel. Pat dry with another towel and let them air dry in a dry sunny area before storing. Some customers prefer to keep them stored completely submerged in water. Either way they will provide you with many uses.
- 304 Stainless Steel
- 1/8" Stainless Steel Diagonals
- Small media burnishing small items
- Can be used 1000's of times
- 5 pound container
Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Mix 4 Shapes 1/8" Tumbler Finishing (1 Pound)
- 304 Stainless Steel
- Shapes of Diagonals, Balcones, Balls, Pins
- Gets into small crevices
- Jewlers Tumbling Media
- Tumbling Media
User questions & answers
| Question: | Are these solid 304 or plated? A review said they are magnetic |
| Answer: | Yes, we do sell the Polishing Foam separately. |
Product features
SHAPES OF DIAGONALS, BALCONES, & BALLS
Using a stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. These shapes were design with purpose- The diagonal shape is useful to reach the recesses and corners using the tips and peaks. The Balcone shape allows you to reach the difficult access holes and slots, and last but not least the ball shape is good for ball burnishing process, and as a result you have an excellent shiny finish!
GETS INTO SMALL CREVICES
Our Stainless Steel Tumbling Media is perfect for making your objects surface shine and burr free. It is the perfect solution for ball burnishing parts. It applies heavy pressure on the parts during the finishing process. You can use it for many years since there is no wear and tear happening to the steel media.
304 STAINLESS STEEL
304 Stainless steel tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and will withstand strong compounds.
BEFORE AND AFTER
lieomo 1Lb Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Cylindrical Tumbler Finishing
Lieomo
Product description
SALE is for a 1 Pound Bag - Item is brand new, in sealed packing, perfect condition, never used!
Tumbling Media Stainless Steel Shot
Tumbler media can be used in barrel and vibratory tumblers to burnish metals. AISI type 302 stainless steel media are for applications where good corrosion resistance is important, but hardness is not. They offer good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, dyes, food, environmental sterilizing solutions and many organic and inorganic materials.
Corrosion-resistant Stainless Steel reduces the treatment for storage, maintenance and handling costs of carbon steel media.
The substantial weight of steel media exerts higher pressure on the parts in finishing equipment and effectively reduces finishing times.
The product is made of: AISI type 302 stainless steel, has slight magnetism Media is specifically for applications where good corrosion resistance is important.
Note: it is only plated stainless steel may still rust, please buy carefully.
- 3/8"x1/16" Cylindrical shape
- SALE is for a 1 Pound Bag - Item is brand new, in sealed packing, perfect condition, never used!
- Tumbler media can be used in barrel and vibratory tumblers to burnish metals.
- The product is made of: AISI type 302 stainless steel, has slight magnetism Media is specifically for applications where good corrosion resistance is important.
- Note: it is only plated stainless steel may still rust, please buy carefully.
User questions & answers
| Question: | If i put aluminum bracelet blanks in a tumbler with these, burnishing soap, water, how shiny does it get or is this more of a satin finish |
| Answer: | I’ve used these with silver and bronze pieces, with burnishing compound, warm water and my pieces came out very shiny. |
| Question: | where is it made |
| Answer: | I purchased this product a few years ago. I believe it was from the US. I used it for glass tumbling. It was a little light to break glass. But good product. |
| Question: | Would this work shining silverware in a tumbler |
| Answer: | Yes if you have a big enough tumbler. |
| Question: | Has anybody used this for tumbling glass |
| Answer: | No. I use it to clean old jewelry. And for jewelry I have made |
1 Lb 1/8" Stainless Steel Diagonal Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Tumbler Finishing
BC Precision
Product description
304 stainless steel tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and able to stand up to strong compounds. Using a stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. Stainless steel media can be used over and over as long as it is stored properly. After using, strain in a fine mesh strainer and lay out the pieces on a dry towel. Pat dry with another towel and let them air dry in a dry sunny area before storing. Some customers prefer to keep them stored completely submerged in water. Either way they will provide you with many uses.
User questions & answers
| Question: | inch long? 1/8 inch diameter? how long are they |
| Answer: | They are 1/8” long |
| Question: | Looking to deburr some aluminum round tube cutoffs from a saw, will these work? Surface condition is not much of a concern, just burrs and sharp edges |
| Answer: | Hello, It is hard to say if this media will do the trick as each tumbling job is different. A lot of people prefer ceramic media for deburring and rounding off sharp edges. Just be mindful of tumble time as you can over do it and have overly rounded edges. Best of luck! |
| Question: | What is the media diameter |
| Answer: | Hi, the precise diameter is .12 inches. Thanks for your interest in BC Precision tumbling media. |
| Question: | safe for sterling silver |
| Answer: | I have been using the stainless shot to polish sterling silver. I usually check it at 20 minutes intervals. |
Product features
1 Lb 1/8" Stainless Steel Diagonal Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Tumbler Finishing
304 Stainless steel diagonal tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and able to stand up to strong compounds. Using a Stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of Stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. Stainless steel media can be used over and over as long as it is stored properly. After using, strain in a fine mesh Strainer and lay out the pieces on a dry towel. Pat dry with another towel and let them air dry in a dry sunny area before storing. Some customers prefer to keep them stored completely submerged in water. Either way they will provide you with many uses.
2 LB 1/8" Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Mix 4 Shapes Tumbler Finishing
BC Precision
Product description
304 Stainless steel tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and ABLE to stand up to strong compounds. Using a Stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of Stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. Stainless steel media can be used over and over as long as it is stored properly. After using, strain in a fine mesh Strainer and lay out the pieces on a dry towel. Pat dry with another towel and let them air dry in a dry sunny area before storing. Some customers prefer to keep them stored completely submerged in water. Either way they will provide you with many uses.
User questions & answers
| Question: | Anyone use this for cleaning brass |
| Answer: | All the time! I just throw some "Fantastic" cleaner in with these bad boys and it gets Brass, Copper, and Nickles so shinny your think it was plastic and not really metal. |
| Question: | can this mix be used in a vibratory cleaner |
| Answer: | The mix is used in all types of rotating and vibrating tumblers. Unless the machine specifically suggests NOT using smaller ( 1/8") media it should work very well. |
| Question: | This mix includes 4 shapes with pins being the extra shape. I don't know which one to get. Why would I want or not want to have pins in the mix |
| Answer: | Some people do not want to use pins if they are tumbling necklaces because the pins can get hung. Thanks for your interest in BC Precision tumbling media. |
| Question: | Why do I get rust if I allow to dry slowly |
| Answer: | Stainless steel is rust resistant but if left in a damp environment it will still rust. Also, it could be that it was not rinsed properly after use and debris from the item being tumbled can be on the media. When we use the media we rinse and towel dry it after each use. Then we let it dry spread out on a hand towel in a sunny place. Or, some people prefer to store it submerged underwater but you will need to make sure it is a sealed container so the water does not evaporate. |
Frankford Arsenal Stainless Steel Media for Case Tumbling and Reloading with Transfer Magnet Sold Separately
Frankford Arsenal
Product description
Frankford Arsenal Stainless Steel Media Pins are ideal for rotary tumbling brass. When combined with a liquid bath they deliver unmatched cleaning performance. Constructed of high quality 304 stainless steel, the media pins effectively penetrate inside of cases and primer pockets and are magnetic for easy cleanup afterwards. The Frankford Arsenal Media Transfer Magnet is ideal for handling stainless media pins. It effectively gathers and releases pins with a pull of the handle which makes separating pins from the brass fast and convenient.
- SPECS: 5 lbs of pins with a size of 1mm x 7mm
- EASE OF USE: Magnetic for convenient handling and to prevent rust and the perfect amount for replacing lost pins or tumbling smaller batches of brass
- RELIABLE: Perfect for cleaning the inside of primer pockets, inside the case body and ideal for rotary tumbling
- DURABLE: Constructed strong 304 magnetic stainless steel for a lifetime of use
- CONVENIENT: Perfect amount for the Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Lite
User questions & answers
| Question: | how many magnets are in this unit? Is it possible to take it apart and add more magnets |
| Answer: | 1 round magnet at the bottom. The parts are riveted together, so taking it apart would be destructive. More magnets would essentially remove the ability to drop the media. |
| Question: | Why would I need this item |
| Answer: | You don't actually need it. It just makes it easy to pick the pins. I also use a 5 gal paint strainer. Just put it in a 5 gal bucket and over the top of the bucket and one of the media separators. dump the water, brass and pins in the media separator and shake it around. The brass is in the media separator, the pins in the paint strainer and water in the bucket. |
| Question: | How does a magnet pickup stainless media |
| Answer: | Some stainless is magnetic, some stainless is non-magnetic, some stainless is non-magnetic when annealed but becomes magnetic when worked. The pins they sell us for polishing brass are all VERY magnetic. |
| Question: | Can it only be used in wet Templar or vibrating tumbar |
| Answer: | Stainless Steel media pins are only recommended for use in our wet rotary tumbler. |
5 LB 1/8" Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Mix 4 Shapes Tumbler Finishing
BC Precision
Product description
304 Stainless steel tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and ABLE to stand up to strong compounds. Using a Stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of Stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. Stainless steel media can be used over and over as long as it is stored properly. After using, strain in a fine mesh Strainer and lay out the pieces on a dry towel. Pat dry with another towel and let them air dry in a dry sunny area before storing. Some customers prefer to keep them stored completely submerged in water. Either way they will provide you with many uses.
5 Lb 1/8" Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Shot Jewelers Mix 3 Shapes Tumbler Finishing
BC Precision
Product description
304 Stainless steel tumbling media is rust and corrosion resistant and ABLE to stand up to strong compounds. Using a Stainless steel media is important to avoid rust and works great for wet tumbling. The abrasion resistance of Stainless steel media is 3-5 times greater compared to cast steel media. Stainless steel media can be used over and over as long as it is stored properly. After using, strain in a fine mesh Strainer and lay out the pieces on a dry towel. Pat dry with another towel and let them air dry in a dry sunny area before storing. Some customers prefer to keep them stored completely submerged in water. Either way they will provide you with many uses.
User questions & answers
| Question: | i Received your media however it is magnetic. i would like to make sure that the media is 100% stainless and not stainless plated |
| Answer: | Hi, rest assured this media is stainless. It is cold formed 304SS and the process of cold forming will give it properties that make it attracted to a magnet. Thanks for your purchase. |
| Question: | Can stainless media be used in vibratory tumblers |
| Answer: | Hi Danny. Yes, this media can be used in vibratory tumblers. Thanks for your interest in BC Precision products. |
2 LB 1/8" Tumbling Media Ball Shot Tumbler Finishing - 304 Stainless Steel
Unknown
Product description
2 lb. stainless steel shot Tumbling media use as finishing metal for its maximum brightness. It is made of 304 stainless steel which is rust and corrosion proof. Due to its small size it is ideal for jewellery making purpose. It is abrasive resistant as compare to cast media.
Specification:
- Material : 304 Stainless steel
- Size : 3mm (Diameter)
- Packaging weight: 2 lb.
Stainless Steel Tumbling Media RELOADER'S Mix 2 Lbs Type 3
Ball Baron
Product description
PLEASE READ THIS DESCRIPTION COMPLETELY!! BEST PRICE AS OF LISTING DATE. GREAT FOR RELOADERS. Media won't tend to get stuck in primer hole. Tumbling Media Stainless Steel Shot 16OZ. Bag of MIXED SHAPE SHOT Great for small budget or refill replacement of existing media. Reloader's Mix Stainless Steel tumbling media. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE APPLICATION FOCUSED MEDIA PUT TOGETHER IN A COMBINATION MIX. When you really need a functional mix for brass - this will do the job. THIS MIX is the best tumbling media to clean, deburr, and burnish metals. Ideal for handloaders who use a rotary or magnetic tumbler and want their brass cartridges to be sparkling clean inside and out. The media can be used with brass cases with any primer pocket or flash hole size without fear of having stuck pins Tumbler media can be used in barrel and vibratory tumblers to burnish metals. AISI type 302 stainless steel media are for applications where good corrosion resistance is important, but hardness is not. They offer good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, dyes, food, environmental sterilizing solutions and many organic and inorganic materials. Corrosion-resistant Stainless Steel reduces the treatment for storage, maintenance and handling costs of carbon steel media. The product is made of: AISI type 302 stainless steel, NON MAGNETIC. Media is specifically for applications where good corrosion resistance is important. Made in USA The substantial weight of steel media exerts higher pressure on the parts in finishing equipment and effectively reduces finishing times. - Stainless Steel Shot Jewelers Mix Tumbling Media. - A optimal combination mix: 3X5mm Balcones 1mm Pins 4mm Balls Weight 32 ounces. (32 ounces is more thant a Hand full, about 1 cup ) SALE is for a 32 ounce Bag - Item is brand new, in sealed packing, perfect condition, never used! This item is custom mixed at the time of purchase and there will be a $5.00 restocking fee deducted from return refunds due to size issues. Pl
- Stainless Steel Tumbling Media
User questions & answers
| Question: | Please read the nonexistent description completely |
| Answer: | Amazon is far from perfect when it comes to entering all the information provided. although I have entered the data, it seems as though they don't show it on my listing. This is what it's supposed to say: BEST PRICE AS OF LISTING DATE.GREAT FOR RELOADERS. Media won't tend to get stuck in primer hole.Tumbling Media Stainless Steel Shot16OZ. Bag of MIXED SHAPE SHOT Great for small budget or refill replacement of existing media. Reloader's Mix Stainless Steel tumbling media.THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE APPLICATION FOCUSED MEDIA PUT TOGETHER IN A COMBINATION MIX. When you really need a functional mix for brass - this will do the job. THIS MIX is the best tumbling media to clean, deburr, and burnish metals. Ideal for handloaders who use a rotary or magnetic tumbler and want their brass cartridges to be sparkling clean inside and out. The media can be used with brass cases with any primer pocket or flash hole size without fear of having stuck pins Tumbler media can be used in barrel and vibratory tumblers to burnish metals. AISI type 302 stainless steel media are for applications where good corrosion resistance is important, but hardness is not. They offer good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, dyes, food, environmental sterilizing solutions and many organic and inorganic materials. Corrosion-resistant Stainless Steel reduces the treatment for storage, maintenance and handling costs of carbon steel media. The product is made of: AISI type 302 stainless steel, NON MAGNETIC. Media is specifically for applications where good corrosion resistance is important. Made in USA The substantial weight of steel media exerts higher pressure on the parts in finishing equipment and effectively reduces finishing times.- Stainless Steel Shot Jewelers Mix Tumbling Media. - A optimal combination mix: 3X5mm Balcones 1mm Pins 4mm Balls Weight 16 ounces. (16 ounces is about a Hand full, 1/2 cup )SALE is for a 16 ounce Bag - Item is brand new, in sealed packing, perfect condition, never used!This item is custom mixed at the time of purchase and there will be a $5.00 restocking fee deducted from return refunds due to size issues. Please be aware of the size media you require before ordering. CONTACT SELLER BEFORE PURCHASE IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS. |
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