[Arran]

My arm is about ready to fall off, but the brass is starting to look good
[Image: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/68558...b96e_z.jpg]

Sometimes if the brass is really oxidized, like turning black and green, you can speed things up by soaking the brass in vinegar or lemon juice for a while. Obviously you don't have one but a bench grinder with a buffing wheel with jewelers rouge on it also does a nice job, they do have pads and wheels that would mount in a drill press though.
Regards
Arran