Tumblers for cleaning bolts, nuts etc.

[Pat #25912]

Eastwoods list a couple models of vibratory tumblers and claim they are great for fasteners and small parts. Do these things work very well? Any other makes
worth considering? Thanks again.

[Allen W.]

Re: Tumblers for cleaning bolts, nuts etc.

I have used a industrial grade tumbler and it works fine. I wished I had my own. I've seen previous posts that indicated that the Eastwood product works OK. Regarding the industrial tumblers different size tumbling media is avaliable depending on what is being cleaned. Look at the Goodson web site for info. Goodson sells machine shop products to the trade as well as retail.
Allen

[Chris H.]

Re: Tumblers for cleaning bolts, nuts etc.

Do you think that glass beads from a blast cabinet would work to clean up fasteners in a tumbler?

Chris

[Pat #25912]

Re: Tumblers for cleaning bolts, nuts etc.

Thank you Allen. Do you think they would remove paint as well as rust? Thanks again.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Tumblers for cleaning bolts, nuts etc.

Pat,

I used a large tumbler (Lyman) purchased from a shooting supply store, the type they use to clean rifle brass casings. They are EXACTLY the same as the Eastwood unit, and a fair amount cheaper but better constructed. I then purchased Eastwood's "green diamond" media.

My thoughts:

-It does not do a great job removing paint. I'd suggest you use a beadblaster and/or wire wheel. I can show you a few replated bolts where the paint prevented the process from working if you wish.

-It does not do a good job with rust scale. Again, use a stronger mechanical means.

-Once your paint and heavy rust are removed, it does a GREAT job of cleaning up bolts, nuts, etc. I still used a tap or die on everything as well. I used the Green Diamonds with a half cup to a cup of water tumbling overnight, then rinsed them the next day. I then ran them overnight with crushed walnut shells, available from your shooting supply store (Gander Mountain, Cabelas, etc). Beautiful.

In addition, after a little Simple Green and then a crushed walnut tumble, old non-rusty bolts and other pieces can look fresh and new. Great for cleaning up parts on a car you'd like to appear unrestored. Think of horn relay covers, solenoid brackets and covers, etc as great uses for this shorter process.

Patrick

[Pat #25912]

Re: Tumblers for cleaning bolts, nuts etc.

Thanks Patrick. That is what I was hoping to hear.