Dirty brass is a reloader’s constant companion. Range pickups, once-fired cases, even your own brass after a few cyclesthey all accumulate grime, carbon, and tarnish that can affect your dies and, ultimately, your ammunition’s performance. The quest for shiny brass isn’t just about vanity; it’s about precision and protecting your investment in reloading equipment.
For years, the debate has centered on methodology: wet tumbling versus dry tumbling. Each has its champions. Dry tumbling with corn cob or walnut media is fast and simple but often leaves dust and doesn’t touch the primer pocket. Wet tumbling, particularly with stainless steel media, delivers a factory-new shine inside and out, including that deep primer pocket clean. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series rotary tumbler kit has become a dominant name in this space, but how does it truly stack up against rivals like Hornady, Lyman, and Dillon? Honestly speaking, the answer depends on your priorities for cleaning performance, workflow, and value.
Brass Cleaning Methods
Before diving into specific models, it’s crucial to grasp the core technologies. Traditional dry tumbling uses a vibrating bowl filled with abrasive media like crushed walnut shells. It’s effective for exterior cleaning and is generally quieter. Wet tumbling employs a rotating drum filled with water, a cleaning solution, and small stainless steel pins. The tumbling action of the pins scrubs every surface, producing unparalleled results.
There’s also ultrasonic cleaning, an alternative often overlooked in these comparisons. Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create cavitation bubbles in a fluid tank, scrubbing brass clean. They are incredibly effective for intricate parts and can clean primer pockets, but they typically don’t produce the same mirror-polished shine as a stainless steel pin wash. Their environmental impact is lower than wet tumbling’s wastewater, but they have smaller batch capacities.
My honest take is that for the volume shooter or precision reloader who demands impeccably clean brass, wet tumbling is the gold standard. The drying process is the main added step, but the results justify it.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series: A Comprehensive Review
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series is more than just a rotary tumbler; it’s a complete wet tumbling system. The kit-centric approach is its biggest strength, designed to get you from dirty brass to dry, shiny brass with minimal extra purchases. In my honest opinion, this bundling is what gives it a significant edge in the “best budget brass cleaner” conversation.
The heart of the system is the durable rotary tumbler motor and base. It’s built to handle the load and moisture. The included stainless steel pins are the workhorse, and Frankford Arsenal offers a companion product specifically for handling them: the Frankford Arsenal Stainless Steel Media Pins magnet. This tool highlights a key pain point in wet tumblingmedia separationand provides an elegant solution.
Key Features & Specifications
Let’s break down what you actually get, focusing on the tangible features.
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| System Type | Complete Wet Tumbling Kit |
| Core Component | Rotary Tumbler Motor & Base |
| Included Media | Stainless Steel Pins |
| Key Accessory | Media Separator & Magnet System |
| Magnet Dimensions | 9″ H x 6″ W |
| Magnet Weight | 1.5 lbs |
| Magnet Construction | Durable, lightweight plastic and steel |
| Media Handling | Ambidextrous magnet handle for pin transfer |
| Separation Method | Magnet transfer system for fast pin separation |
| Check current price on Amazon |
The dedicated media magnet is a game-changer. Its ambidextrous design and simple squeeze-to-release mechanism make retrieving pins from the separator or a stray pile remarkably easy. This focus on the entire workflow, not just the tumbling, speaks to thoughtful design. From my honest perspective, it’s these little details that reduce frustration and make the process something you don’t dread.
Performance in Practice
So, how does it clean? Exceptionally well. The combination of the rotary action and the stainless steel pins reaches the case mouth, the interior, and the primer pocket with consistent aggression. Cases come out looking new, which, honest to goodness, never gets old. The media separator included in the kit works in tandem with the magnet to make separating brass and pins a quick, clean operation.
Long-term maintenance requirements are modest but important. The drum seals need occasional checking, and the motor should be kept free of debris. Rinsing the pins thoroughly after each use prevents corrosion and buildup. Compared to the dust management of dry tumblers, this maintenance is often considered a fair trade for the superior clean.
Head-to-Head: Frankford Arsenal vs. The Competition
Isolating the Frankford Arsenal doesn’t tell the whole story. Its true value is revealed when placed side-by-side with other leading brands. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.This is where the question of is Frankford Arsenal brass cleaner better than Hornady gets answered contextually.
Frankford Arsenal vs Hornady
Hornady’s M-1 Case Tumbler is a formidable vibratory (dry tumbling) option. The comparison, Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler vs vibratory, is really about methodology. Hornady excels in speed and simplicity for a basic exterior clean. Noise level during operation is a factor, as vibratory tumblers are notably louder. The Frankford Arsenal wet system is quieter but involves more steps. For a deep, comprehensive clean, the Frankford Arsenal wins. For a quick polish, Hornady is efficient. If you’re building a full bench, you might consider a hornady lock-n-load press for your reloading, paired with your cleaner of choice.
Frankford Arsenal vs Lyman
This is a direct clash in the wet tumbling arena. The Frankford Arsenal vs Lyman Turbo Pro 1200 debate is close. Both are high-quality rotary tumblers. Lyman’s unit is robust and has a strong reputation. However, the Frankford Arsenal kit often comes with more included accessories (like the magnet), presenting better immediate value. Lyman might have a slight edge in raw motor durability for some users, but Frankford Arsenal’s complete system approach is hard to beat for someone starting out. Lyman also produces excellent case trimming tools, which are the logical next step after cleaning.
Frankford Arsenal vs Dillon
Dillon Precision’s CV-2001 is the premium, high-capacity option. It’s an industrial-grade vibratory tumbler built for volume and longevity. The price reflects that. The comparison here is about scale and investment. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum is for the serious hobbyist or moderate-volume shooter. The Dillon is for the ultra-high-volume reloader or small shop. For 99% of reloaders, the Frankford Arsenal provides all the capacity and performance needed at a fraction of Dillon’s cost. Dillon’s fame lies in its progressive presses, like the RL550C press, which benefit from impeccably clean brass.
Performance Analysis: Cleaning Speed & Final Results
Let’s talk results. A case cleaner is judged by the brass it produces and the time it takes.
- Cleaning Consistency & Shine: This is the Frankford Arsenal’s strongest suit. The wet pin method delivers uniformly shiny brass, inside and out. Primer pockets are spotless. No dry media can achieve this level of detail.
- Speed: The tumbling cycle itself is similar across wet tumblers (2-3 hours). Where Frankford Arsenal saves time is in the workflow. The integrated media separator and magnet system drastically cut down the post-tumble sorting and handling time.
- Ease of Setup & Use: The kit is plug-and-play. Add brass, pins, water, and a dime-sized drop of dish soap or dedicated cleaner, and you’re running. The process is straightforward, though it involves more steps than dumping brass into a dry tumbler.
The environmental impact is a missing entity in many reviews. Wet tumbling produces wastewater containing carbon, lead styphnate, and primer residues. This water should be disposed of responsibly, not poured down a drain. Dry tumbling creates airborne dust containing the same contaminants, requiring good ventilation. It’s a trade-off between water waste and air quality, a point worth considering for the environmentally conscious shooter, a perspective often highlighted by in equipment reviews.
Final Verdict & Buying Recommendation
So, who is the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series for? I honestly believe it’s the best overall value for most reloaders entering or committed to the wet tumbling world. It solves the major pain points with a complete, thoughtful kit. The best budget brass cleaner Frankford Arsenal or other question leans heavily toward Frankford Arsenal because “budget” here means value-for-money, not just cheap.
Choose the Frankford Arsenal Platinum if:
- You want the deepest, most consistent clean possible.
- You value a complete kit that works seamlessly together.
- You process high volumes of brass and need reliable performance.
- Cleaning primer pockets is non-negotiable.
Consider a vibratory tumbler (like Hornady or a basic Frankford Arsenal dry model) if:
- Your primary need is a fast exterior polish.
- You want the absolute simplest, fewest-step process.
- Water usage and wastewater disposal are significant concerns for you.
My honest assessment is that the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series rotary tumbler sets the benchmark for mid-range wet tumbling systems. Its competition with Lyman is tight, but its bundled accessories often give it the practical edge. For insights from a broader community of users, you can often find detailed discussions on platforms like Reddit’s reloading forum.
The path to shiny brass is clear. For a balance of exceptional results, thoughtful design, and solid value, the Frankford Arsenal system is exceedingly difficult to top. It transforms a chore into a satisfying part of the reloading ritual, ensuring your brass is perfectly prepped for the next stage, whether that’s on a single-stage or a progressive press like the Frankford Arsenal M-Press. Your dies will thank you, and your ammunition will reflect that care.