Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

[David S.]

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience with a small vibratory tumbler similar to the ones Eastwood sells. I'm looking for a simple way to strip rust off bolts and small parts. Looks like this might even be easier than using a media blaster.

Dave

[Rich P.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Dave,

you won't be happy with the results. It does not get into the threads and forget about recessed heads and captured washers. I have experimented over the years and found the best way to clean bolts in bulk is a 2 step process.
First make or get a small hot tank and cook the grease and paint off. Rince with water then submerge the bolts in a solution of water/muriatic acid. And again rince with water.
Using this process I can clean an entire 5 gallon buckt full of hardware in 4 hours.

Rich

[Tim S.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Save your money!

Tim

[John D.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Muratic acid. Make sure you use it outside and far away from anything that is steel as it rusts everything in site.
Muratic acid is also hard on our lungs so wear a respirator.
Many years ago I used to strip the plating from the steel FI parts with muratic acid. My nose and throat were raw from the fumes. Makes horse radish seem mild.
Try soaking some rusty parts in white vinegar. Make sure the parts are not magnesium though. JD

[Alan D.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Here is a list of products which members have discussed in the past for rust removal in addition to blasting.
Note for harden bolts do not use an acid solution it can cause problems.

Rid Rust now Safest Rust ph=5.25
ultraoneusa.com
Edgewater Industrial Park
112 East Avenue,Unit 8
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
$25/Gal

Rust Clean by Amazing One in Howell, MI gone


Evapo-Rust (com), also see orisonllc.com or orisonmarketing.com ph=6.1 done working at 7.0
$21/gal
$18/gal @Harbor Freight + shipping


Metalreseue.com 800-365-1117
Ph=6.0 $25/gal


CLR
ph = 2.0 Home Depot $80/Gal


ZEP
at Home Depot ph = 1.0 $10/Gal


Home Brewing
Least expensive solution which is harmless to paint, chrome, plastic is: molasses and water,
1 part molasses to 10 parts water, drop it in and let it soak. Feed grade molasses is cheap in bulk.
It will work on cast iron, also, but leave it in too long and it will begin to break it down.
It works, I was surprised, better than electrolysis, though not as fast (NCRS post)

Using store purchase of 16oz, water not included in price
ph=?? $2.50/Gal




There's a bunch of home remedies containing vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and so forth.

[Ken T.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I fell for that thought process. Pay for shipping and I'll give you all my tumbler stuff I bought from eastwoods. Then, just pass it on when you realize all the time wasted.

[Larry M.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Rich,
What liquid in the hot tank?
Larry

[Richard M.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Don't waste your money on a tumbler.......Buy glass bead with it!

[Ronald L.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I agree with Richard, glass bead them.

Now a couple key points missed...

The tumble rounds over the threads, leave them in there too long and all those $30 fasteners are scrap metal. Even in the short time, the threads are jazzed up.

#2 HCL and bolts don't mix well, especially if they are heat treated, anything over a grade 2. You can get hydrogen embrittlement in the intersticies of the metal structure and the rest of the fine details M.G. can give a full dissertation on.

Ditch the acid too if you really want to keep those bolts.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

If you have black phosphate items that need just a bit of freshening, then crushed walnut shells in a tumbler can significantly improve them while keeping some of that original patina. I've done that with excellent results.

However, as mentioned, it takes forever to de-rust bolts even with those green diamonds from Eastwood (or cheaper from Harbor Freight). I still use mine 1-2 times a year for certain jobs.

I bought a Lyman tumbler from Gander Mountain as it was larger and cheaper, and now that I'm getting into reloading I'm sure I will use my equipment more often.

Patrick

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Buy a gallon of Evapo-Rust and just throw the parts in and leave overnight. Parts will come out like new metal. Maybe just a washing with Brillo to clean off residue when stuff gets old. Works over and over for a very long time.
Jeff

[David S.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Wow guys thanks for all the feedback. It was just a thought, but now I realize I'll just keep using Safest Rust Remover or glass bead in a media blaster.

Thanks again!

Dave

[Stan G.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Evapo-Rust from O'Reillys safe to use , leave it in over night take it out wash it off if , it still has some rust stick it back in untill you are satisfied .
Great stuff .

[Peter J.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

David,
My opinion echos a lot of them, I bought a large one with some "very aggressive stones" and after eight hours of vibrating all I could thing is how I wasted my money and went back to blast cabinet with glass beads. Lesson learned, I just wish it hadn't cost so much to teach me that lesson.
Pete

[Patrick H.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

David,
My opinion echos a lot of them, I bought a large one with some "very aggressive stones" and after eight hours of vibrating all I could thing is how I wasted my money and went back to blast cabinet with glass beads. Lesson learned, I just wish it hadn't cost so much to teach me that lesson.
Pete

I usually let it run overnight, maybe more. 24 hours is not unusual if you actually want it to work.