Small parts cleaner?

[RocketDude]

In the forum a while back, someone mentioned they were cleaning small parts, nuts, bolts, etc, in a tumbler. It might have been for polishing rocks, or jewelry, I can't remember for sure. I wasn't too interested at the time, so I didn't pay attention.

Now, after spending way to much time standing in front of a wire wheel on the grinder, I have a renewed interest in the subject.

If any of you are using this technique, I would love to hear what machine your using, what media, anything you can tell me to get my parts clean without spending so much time at it. A blaster cabinet is fine for the bigger stuff, it's the little things I'm wanting to clean.

[R W Burgess]

Amazing Dude!

I was at a Virginia Car Show last weekend and had the opportunity to visit a local race engine shop in Martinsville Virginia. I noticed all of the aluminum fabricated parts were appearing to be polished. I asked the fellow if they actually took time out to polish motor mounts, alternator brackets, etc.

No, he said they were polished in a tumbling machine. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Sorry to say I never got to see that machine. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Jay Wolf]

I use them all the time I have 2 of them,

A expensive wet one from Eastwood.

and a cheap dry one from Harbor Freight.

If the bolts or stuff are dirty and greasy the wet is the only way to go.

I put a pump on mine and recirculate the wet cleaner.

I use green pyramids and Dryshine

I use to you a rock drum tumbler, but the vibrator tumblers work a lot faster.

[RocketDude]

Wayne, I have seen some of the parts you're talking about. Beautiful! I bet the machines they use would cost a bundle. Those big guys have the money..!

Jay, most of my stuff isn't dirty or greasy, just rusty. I looked at a few rock polishing machines I found on line. Since i'm trying to clean up rusty parts, the water machines sounded counter productive to getting rid of rust.

I have a Harbor Freight near me. I will look into that. Do I want to spend the extra money for wet, for my needs?

Thanks for your response......

[R W Burgess]

Like I said Rock.., I didn't see that machine, but I did get a good look at a cam grinding machine that went for a cool 1 million. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Those guys had rough cores, already pre-treated(hardened), shipped in, which they in turn "cut" to any grind they wanted. They worked with Chrysler engines only, mostly truck, but a couple of Cup Teams.

Wayne

[Shop Rat]

Shooters that re-load their own shells use tumblers to clean the brass casings. Wonder if one of those would work for small parts?

[RocketDude]

Son of A gun, Shop rat, that's a great idea! I went to reloading equipment and found several.

Now, I just need to educate myself so I know what i'm looking at, and what will fill my needs.

I'll also will take a look at Harbor Freight, since I have one in the area.

Thanks for the help and ideas, to all that answered.....

[Shop Rat]

Great, glad to be of help. Bill used to reload for his black powder rifle and he had one of the tumblers to clean the brass casings. It is packed away somewhere since he has not hunted with the Hawkin for several years. It did a great job on the casings and didn't damage them.

Let us know what you end up getting and how well it works for you. I am sure others will like to know.

[Jay Wolf]

The water makes it cut rust faster, I think it is like wet sanding keeps the grit on the pyramids exposed.

The motor went out on my Eastwood when I traced the motor the tumbler was made by a Re-loader Company, Eastwood just put there name on it.

I could post some pictures of what stuff looks like when it comes out if you want. Just let me know.

[Tom M]

Jay,

Please post some pictures. It be nice to see if you had a before and after picture.

Thanks

[Peter J.Heizmann]

RocketDude...

Please venture into the "Search" icon within the header...It is one of many services this Web Site offers. Therein, you will find a wealth of knowledge on many subjects that had been posted by people over the years, and, remain at your service.

Go to Search...

Key in a "search word", such as, "Parts Cleaning".

Under time frame:

--Older than 3 weeks, newer than, say, 6 years.

--Key in: Submit.

Play with the "Search" function.

If serious about "factual automotive research", go to the AACA Library on the home page. The L&RC will avoid conjecture and generate historical "facts". Mind boggling what this club retains.

Give it a try...

Regards,

Peter J...

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[RocketDude]

Yes, I'd like to see some pictures, too! I went by Harbor Freight today. They have three different ones. A cheap one for $20., another for $50., which is the same thing at the cheap one, but it will do two drums at a time, and a different style, larger one for $70.

I bought a $20 one, just to see what it would do. I will probably get a bigger one, after I learn a little more.

The instructions say it takes four or five days to do it's thing. We'll see....

I spend most of my time waiting for parts, so I have the time to wait.

[RocketDude]

Thanks for the tip, Peter. I looked in there, and see a great resource. I will go play in there. A quick peek shows me I may want to spend a lot more time using the search area.

I haven't spent much time investigating other areas of the Forum. It's time I start learning to use the site to it's full advantage.

[Guest Randy Berger]

I clean a lot of old parts with tide and metal media in a rubber-lined tumbler. I switch over to crushed walnut and jewelers rouge for polishing brass and nickel.

http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/

They have vibratory tumblers also. Good people to deal with. I've had mine for over 20 years.

[Jay Wolf]

Here are some bolts these are off of a 1917 Dort that sat outside for years and were very rusty.

these were tumbled over a years ago,

First with Eastwood's Green pyramids them with Eastwood's Dryshine

[Jay Wolf]

This is a large suspension nut and a drag link coupler off the the side it was very rusted note you can still see the pits.

[Tom M]

Jay,

It was hard to believe a tumbler can knock off rust but from them pictures you post it sure looks like is does a good job. I bet it beats standing in front of a wire wheel. Thanks for posting them.

[Amphicar BUYER]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shooters that re-load their own shells use tumblers to clean the brass casings. Wonder if one of those would work for small parts? </div></div>

Susan, I have been using one of these (about $40) for some time now for cleaning & polishing small parts. It works very well. Once they are done (usually overnight), use a magnet to retrieve them from the media. If they are non-ferrous, use a scoop or spoon with appropriate sized holes to retrieve the parts.

[Shop Rat]

John, I am glad to hear that a shell tumbler worked. It was kind of a "shot in the dark", if you will excuse the pun, that it might work. I know they do a great job on brass shells and those are small and people don't want them damaged in the process.

[Guest Mark Golding]

I have one of those commercial vibrating tumblers actully I have 2 but the one I use the most for derusting of parts is filled with Black Beauty Sand blasting Media. and I just have to run most parts for about 6 -8 hours ( remember to check to make sure the parts are turning around in the machine and don't get hung up on each other or they will be worn down and very quickly at that.)Usually over night but this machine has a timer on it and it's good for 6 hours then shuts off the other machine I have is an old cement mixer type tumble it has a wet solution in it of soap and those triangle stones, I got mine through Enco. www.use-enco.com good cheap tools that work fine for me and my shop.

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