Frankford Arsenal Tumbling Media Differences Explained
By Amis Thains Published 6 min read
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On this page (7 sections)
You are staring at a bag of media or a tumbler manual and wondering which one actually cleans brass without clogging the die. This page breaks down the specific roles of each media type so you can pick the right one for your load.
In short: Frankford Arsenal media is not one single item; it is a system of specific materials. Some are for aggressive cleaning, some for polishing, and some for filling the tumbler volume. Using the wrong type will either do nothing or damage your brass.
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Removes grit and powder residue quickly without requiring wet tumbling.
The three media types and their specific jobs
Frankford Arsenal media falls into three functional groups. Cleaners like walnut hull or abrasive corn cob remove dirt, carbon, and powder gas. Polishers like stainless steel shot or ceramic media give the case a shiny, smooth finish. Fillers like non-abrasive ceramic pellets increase the tumbler’s volume to prevent case-on-case scratching without doing any cleaning. We cover using water based media and compounds in a guide of its own.
Understanding which job your brass needs determines what you buy. A dirty case from a range bag needs a cleaner. A case that is clean but scratched from previous polishing needs a finer polish.
- Walnut Hull: Natural material, soft, biodegradable. Good for general cleaning but breaks down faster.
- Corn Cob: Common abrasive. Effective but creates dust that can clog tumbler screens.
- Steel Shot: Hard, synthetic media. Used for polishing and burnishing, not cleaning. Reusable for years.
Pro tip: Do not mix cleaners and fillers in the same bucket. The filler will absorb the cleaning action of the abrasive media.
This is the standard cleaner that handles the majority of range-bound brass without the mess of wet tumbling.
- Frankford media is designed to quickly and efficiently remove dirt, grit and powder
- Just pour into the tumbler of your choice and get to cleaning
How abrasive media actually cleans brass
Abrasive media works on a tumbling action. The vibration of the tumbler causes the media to rub against the brass. This friction removes surface contaminants. The speed and intensity of this friction depend on the hardness of the media and the density of the tumbler bowl.
When you load a Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler, the bowl moves in a circular or elliptical pattern. This movement keeps the media in constant motion. If the media is too soft, like old walnut hull, it will clump and stop moving. If it is too hard, like steel shot, it will bounce and potentially dent your cases.
- Density Matters: High-density media like steel shot packs tight. Low-density media like corn cob leaves gaps.
- Breakdown Rate: Walnut hull breaks down into fines. These fines are what actually do the cleaning. If the hull is not breaking down, it is not working.
- Reusability: Steel shot can be reused hundreds of times. Walnut hull is single-use or limited use.
Safety first: Always wear a dust mask when pouring out used abrasive media. Inhalation of fine carbon and metal dust is a health risk.
Use this steel media when your brass is already clean but you want to burnish minor dings out of the case.
- Suitable Size: 5 LBS 304 stainless steel mix, suitable for most cases, enough to meet
- Reliable Material To Support Your Usage:Our stainless steel shots for tumblers are made
When to use fillers instead of cleaner
Sometimes you just have too many cases for your tumbler. Or you have cases that are already clean but you want to prevent them from banging into each other. In these scenarios, a cleaner is not the right tool. The other half of this decision is salvaging brass from earth.
Fillers are non-abrasive. They do not clean anything. Their only job is to take up space in the tumbler bowl so the cases do not sit on top of each other.
This prevents surface scratches from case-to-case contact. If you are using a Frankford Arsenal media separator, you can remove the fines from your cleaner and use the remaining hull or corn cob as a filler, though this is less common.
Check the fill line on your tumbler. Overfilling with clean cases will cause the tumbler to vibrate incorrectly and wear out the suspension. Underfilling means the cases will not tumble, and you will get scratches.
This generic ceramic filler media works in any tumbler to add volume without adding cleaning action.
- 8 LBS 3/16" X 3/8" Cylinder Size Rock Tumbling Ceramic Filler Media Non-Abrasive
- Improve your rock tumbling results! improving delivery of rock tumbling grit, quieting
Common myths about media differences
Myth: All media does the same thing, just faster.
Fact: Media types have different purposes. Using a hard polish media to clean dirty brass will not work; the dirt will just roll around on the cases. Using a soft cleaning media to polish will not remove scratches. You must match the media to the goal.
Myth: You can mix media types for better results.
Fact: Mixing cleaning and polishing media creates a slurry that clogs your tumbler. It also reduces the effectiveness of both media types. Keep them separate. If you are using a Frankford Arsenal X10 or similar dry tumbler, mixing wet and dry media will destroy the tumbler’s seals.
Pro tip: If you are switching from cleaning to polishing, you must wash the cases completely between steps to remove all abrasive fines. It helps to understand separating heavy media items before going further.
How to choose the right media for your press setup
Your reloading workflow dictates your media choice. If you reload at the range and bring back dirty brass, you need a cleaner. If you reload at home and want to extend the life of your die, you need a polisher.
- Range brass: Use walnut hull or abrasive corn cob. Tumble for 4-6 hours.
- Home brass: Use steel shot or ceramic polish. Tumble for 2-4 hours.
- High volume: Add ceramic fillers to ensure proper tumbling action.
For a Frankford Arsenal M Press user, clean and polished cases mean fewer feeding issues and more consistent bullet seating. A clean case also means less chance of headspace issues caused by accumulated carbon in the case head.
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper works well with this workflow because you can drop the media directly into the tumbler without opening the lid, saving time and reducing mess.
The bottom line
The bottom line is that you need to identify if you are cleaning or polishing. Most hand-loaders need a bag of walnut hull for range brass and a bag of steel shot for home brass. Start with a cleaner for dirty cases, and move to a filler or polish media only when the cases are visually clean.
- Frankford media is designed to quickly and efficiently remove dirt, grit and powder
- Just pour into the tumbler of your choice and get to cleaning
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Frankford Arsenal media in a Lyman tumbler?
Yes. Media is universal. The only difference is the size of the tumbler bowl and the fill line. Check your tumbler manual for the maximum capacity. Most abrasive media will work in any brand of vibratory tumbler, including Lyman and RCBS.
What is the difference between wet and dry tumbling media?
Wet tumbling uses water, soap, and abrasive media to clean cases. It is thorough but slow and messy. Dry tumbling uses dry abrasive media. It is faster and cheaper but less effective on heavy carbon fouling. Frankford Arsenal is primarily known for dry media. There is more on differentiating elbow pins in a separate guide.
Why is my Frankford Arsenal media not cleaning my brass?
Check if the media is old or clogged with fines. Old media loses its abrasive edge. Also, ensure you are not overfilling the tumbler. If the cases are sitting still, the media is not tumbling correctly. Try adding more media or shaking out the fines.
Does media type matter for the Frankford Arsenal X10 tumbler?
The X10 is a vibratory tumbler. It works best with dry abrasive media. You can use fillers to prevent case-on-case scratching, but the primary cleaning will always come from the abrasive action of the media against the case. Do not use wet media in the X10.