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Vibratory tumblers

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If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, you can get something very similar at a much lower cost. I bought one a while back to clean up to rusty hardware. It worked okay I think, but the speed at which parts came clean was a little longer than I liked (several hours versus I like it to be done instantly!). I only used the rust cutter pellets, I think the tumbler might be handier with polishing material in it. Just me, but I don't consider it a critical item in my garage - maybe that will change later if I find a better use for it.
 
Hi jsf - I was thinking all the original nuts bolts washers, and small fittings like clips, latch mechanisms etc - that sort of thing. The more guys I talk to about vibratory tumbling, the more I am concluding that is the sweet spot size wise for that cleaning method - anything larger - like pedal assemblies etc - you are probably better off to grit blast. Was that your conclusion?
 
I use one for cleaning empty brass for reloading. I use corncob media, but walnut hulls are a little more aggressive. I believe mine came from Midway USA.
For brass about 8 hours make them look new.
To be frank, I've never used it for anyhting else.
 
I'm with poolboy on that one. I have a tumbler that I use for cleaning brass for reloading but it takes a bunch of time. I have a bead blast cabinet that really does a good job, fast. For all the standard fastners I buy them at my favorite Auto Parts store and they are a very decent price. For some of the specialty fastners I have had to bite the bullet and buy them from one of the big three. My experience with tumblers is that they polish but don't do a thing for rust removal.
Speaking of rust removal about two months ago someone on the forum twigged me onto something called evapo-rust. I bought mine at Tractor Supply. It is non-toxic, no fumes, biodegradable and environmentally safe. Their label says that it removes rust effortlessly in minutes. That's really misleading. I usually leave the stuff in for about 24 hours. It does a great job. I used it on my rusty master cylinder reservoir can and it really did a beautiful job. I used it on some special screws for the heater and again they came out rust free.

Cheers, Tinkerman
 
My buddy has a large media blast cabinet that works WONDERS. Amazing how it takes off rust, paint, etc. Leaves a patina that is perfect for cadmium plating, if you so desire, or want to take the risk.
 
luke44 said:
Hi jsf - I was thinking all the original nuts bolts washers, and small fittings like clips, latch mechanisms etc - that sort of thing. The more guys I talk to about vibratory tumbling, the more I am concluding that is the sweet spot size wise for that cleaning method - anything larger - like pedal assemblies etc - you are probably better off to grit blast. Was that your conclusion?
Click to expand...
I have pictures of my pedal assemblies just done these past few weeks. I put them through the sandblast cabinet I built. Except I am part of the "can't figure out how to post pictures crowd", and will have to get the "KID" who works for me to do it.
 
Tinkerman said:
something called evapo-rust.


Isn't that something Billy Mayes once "Hawked" on TV? sounds like his bailiwick.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think so. Least wise I've not seen it hawked by him. I think Paul Bos told me about it. I can tell you that it works and works well. Specially for the small parts that we tend to have a lot of. Had Billy "hawked it" I probably wouldn't have bought it.

Tinkerman
 
Well I went ahead with a parts tumbler. Wow! It is so great for small finicky parts - way faster than a drill, wire wheel and a vice. See pix below of my recent heater parts cleaning:

Here's the before pix...

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Add into tumbler with cleaning media

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Add some soapy water for lubricant….

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Seal the top up, turn it on, and go watch the ball game. After about 4 hours here’s what came out…

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I couldn't be happier with the result. Now it's on to the next piece….
 
Is that one of the Tumblers from Eastwood. Looks like it does a good job. Must be the lighting, all the parts have a gold tint to them. If I decide to do another car I will have to get one of those.
 
mallard said:
Is that one of the Tumblers from Eastwood. Looks like it does a good job. Must be the lighting, all the parts have a gold tint to them...
Click to expand...

Eastwood sells one version but I did an internet search and got one with a heavier motor. As for the color...yeah it's the lighting...they're silver..

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72645-m-0.jpg
 
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