So lets say someone wanted to set up a tumbler for cleaning aluminum, brass, etc so that it was restored to it's original finish...what type of media would that person use?
Greg #45455
Greg #45455
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Re: tumbing media...
Greg, when I responded to your post about "re-skinning", I was repeating a piece of information learned here. Someone (JohnH?) had posted about professional restoration of aluminum intake manifolds, and that was the method the restorer (Jerry McNeish?) used. I think his entire process is somewhat proprietary, even if the basic method is known. If anyone posting here has used tumbling for aluminum finishing, they have never posted about their experience to my knowledge.
If you have a high-visibility part (intake manifold, valve covers) that you want to look really nice on a valuable car, professional "re-skinning" may be the answer, but it will be expensive. Otherwise, for the most of our restoration, cleaning by low-pressure blasting with walnut shells or a polypropylene blend media may be the cheaper alternative.
On the other hand, you seem gifted at perfecting new resto skills...you might start with the media used for cartridge case cleaning; it seems like they use walnut shells. Perfect the process, and let us know how to do it. -
Re: tumbing media...
Greg, when I responded to your post about "re-skinning", I was repeating a piece of information learned here. Someone (JohnH?) had posted about professional restoration of aluminum intake manifolds, and that was the method the restorer (Jerry McNeish?) used. I think his entire process is somewhat proprietary, even if the basic method is known. If anyone posting here has used tumbling for aluminum finishing, they have never posted about their experience to my knowledge.
If you have a high-visibility part (intake manifold, valve covers) that you want to look really nice on a valuable car, professional "re-skinning" may be the answer, but it will be expensive. Otherwise, for the most of our restoration, cleaning by low-pressure blasting with walnut shells or a polypropylene blend media may be the cheaper alternative.
On the other hand, you seem gifted at perfecting new resto skills...you might start with the media used for cartridge case cleaning; it seems like they use walnut shells. Perfect the process, and let us know how to do it.Comment
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Re: tumbing media...
Thanks Chuck I don't know about gifted...too much time on my hands, oh ya!
I already sent my intake out for re-skinning and it's okay. I compared it to a new edelbrock one and then it's not so okay but it will have to do.
The main reason that I am so interested in restoring aluminum is because it seems to be just as easy as plating hardware. I would say that it is even easier because it is such a big secret that no one is talking. Seems to me that if the process got out everyone would be doing it so mum's the word! And besides...we could use a good aluminum restoration place up here in the great white north!Comment
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Re: tumbing media...
Thanks Chuck I don't know about gifted...too much time on my hands, oh ya!
I already sent my intake out for re-skinning and it's okay. I compared it to a new edelbrock one and then it's not so okay but it will have to do.
The main reason that I am so interested in restoring aluminum is because it seems to be just as easy as plating hardware. I would say that it is even easier because it is such a big secret that no one is talking. Seems to me that if the process got out everyone would be doing it so mum's the word! And besides...we could use a good aluminum restoration place up here in the great white north!Comment
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Re: tumbing media...
Chuck, et al. Check out the prices of a Wheelabrator cabinet, and you will understand why they are not in most backyard restorer's (or major restorer's shops. Very expensive piece of equipment. The last (and only) time that I investigated the purchase of one the size needed to do intakes and alternator cases the price for a rebuilt unit was $17,000. And that was over 10 years ago. A well known vendor whose name you see referenced here quite often just had to make minor repairs recently to his unit, doing his own labor, and still spent almost $2,000.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Chuck, et al. Check out the prices of a Wheelabrator cabinet, and you will understand why they are not in most backyard restorer's (or major restorer's shops. Very expensive piece of equipment. The last (and only) time that I investigated the purchase of one the size needed to do intakes and alternator cases the price for a rebuilt unit was $17,000. And that was over 10 years ago. A well known vendor whose name you see referenced here quite often just had to make minor repairs recently to his unit, doing his own labor, and still spent almost $2,000.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Wheelabrator also makes de-flashing machines for injection molded thermoset plastic parts...I wonder if it's the same machine? Surplus molding equipment vendors might be a cheaper source for such a machine, but it would still be pricey for the garage restorer. Unfortunately, I think the Wheelabrator is preferred over their competition for that purpose; you might not be able to find any that are surplus.
Of course, ole Greg can improvise...the guts of junked washing machine with a pulley change and wired to run continuously on "Spin" might do the trick. I hope you live on a farm like MikeM, Greg...your going to need some "room" and access to a "surplus applicances" pile.Comment
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Re: tumbing media...
Wheelabrator also makes de-flashing machines for injection molded thermoset plastic parts...I wonder if it's the same machine? Surplus molding equipment vendors might be a cheaper source for such a machine, but it would still be pricey for the garage restorer. Unfortunately, I think the Wheelabrator is preferred over their competition for that purpose; you might not be able to find any that are surplus.
Of course, ole Greg can improvise...the guts of junked washing machine with a pulley change and wired to run continuously on "Spin" might do the trick. I hope you live on a farm like MikeM, Greg...your going to need some "room" and access to a "surplus applicances" pile.Comment
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Re: tumbing media...
Chuck, since notgnittihW kciD says we don't have enough money between the three of us to buy the real deal, why couldn't he modify a clothes dryer to do the task? I'll bet Dick could make a drum that is oil-field stout, come up with an electric motor with beaucoup horsepower, turn the drum at a slow speed with plenty of medium in it...on and on. I'll bet Dicky could fab this in his shop in nuttin' flat. If tumbling is thought to be a part of the process of re-skinning aluminum parts, how would you maintain sharp edges on a piece, i.e., valve cover edges, intake gasket surface and numerous edges? Get to work Dick.
CharlieComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Chuck, since notgnittihW kciD says we don't have enough money between the three of us to buy the real deal, why couldn't he modify a clothes dryer to do the task? I'll bet Dick could make a drum that is oil-field stout, come up with an electric motor with beaucoup horsepower, turn the drum at a slow speed with plenty of medium in it...on and on. I'll bet Dicky could fab this in his shop in nuttin' flat. If tumbling is thought to be a part of the process of re-skinning aluminum parts, how would you maintain sharp edges on a piece, i.e., valve cover edges, intake gasket surface and numerous edges? Get to work Dick.
CharlieComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Hi Greg...in addition to what others have posted, a friend of mine ( now deceased ) was an avid ammo reloader and used corn cob media to polish the brass. just another thot..regards FrankComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Hi Greg...in addition to what others have posted, a friend of mine ( now deceased ) was an avid ammo reloader and used corn cob media to polish the brass. just another thot..regards FrankComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Charlie, ya will hafta git some of them Texas "good ole boy" pipeline welders to fabricate the drum. I am sure that they can "borrow", lose, misappropiate, etc. the necessary materials needed. Then again knowing some of them like I do, they just might "find" a Wheelabrator. Might be a smokin' a little, and a little warm to the touch though.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: tumbing media...
Charlie, ya will hafta git some of them Texas "good ole boy" pipeline welders to fabricate the drum. I am sure that they can "borrow", lose, misappropiate, etc. the necessary materials needed. Then again knowing some of them like I do, they just might "find" a Wheelabrator. Might be a smokin' a little, and a little warm to the touch though.Dick WhittingtonComment
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