Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

[Peter J.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Patrick,
I have clocked 48 hours on some rusty bolts that I was going to get plated and it didn't even get started. I used my TIP blast cabinet on those bolts for just about 30 minutes and was done and off for cad plating. I thought vibratory tumbling would less damaging to bolt head markings but if it takes over 48 hours it is a waste of money for my needs when I can just blast with glass beads.

[Ken P.]

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.

You have a PM.

[Norris W.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I bought the biggest Eastwood vibrator with an extra tub and several different abrasives. I've also tried sand and alum. oxide in it. I've let some stuff run for several days and in most cases can't tell it's even been in the vibrator. They are absolute snake oil and worthless as far as I'm concerned. I've got 3 bead blasters lined up with various stuff and with varying air pressure and condition of abrasives think they are the only option other than a high dollar tumbler or chemicals.

[Alan D.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I have always had luck with small parts by using the chemical products I listed. So long as the rust is not really bad. Would use wire brush first to get big chunks off, then just let it soak in liquid - check, brush off a little, and soak. Takes time but does the job. Sometimes heating the liquid aids the process. So once done - is your next step to plate?? (another subject)
Remember not to do the harden bolts in an acid solution.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I bought the biggest Eastwood vibrator with an extra tub and several different abrasives. I've also tried sand and alum. oxide in it. I've let some stuff run for several days and in most cases can't tell it's even been in the vibrator. They are absolute snake oil and worthless as far as I'm concerned. I've got 3 bead blasters lined up with various stuff and with varying air pressure and condition of abrasives think they are the only option other than a high dollar tumbler or chemicals.

With the green diamonds, you do need to add water. Half a cup or so will make a HUGE difference in how well it works.

Patrick

[Ken T.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I prefer wire brushes and wheels.

[Keith R.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

If the nuts and bolts aren't real bad, then I use a wire wheel to clean them up. I don't think that they even need to be replated cause they shine up nicely. The wire wheel leaves a little dark finish though. Maybe can be brightened up after the wire wheel using some of the aforementioned products without having to replate.

[Tom P.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

For larger parts, I have a 55gal plastic barrel of Muratic acid, 1:3 acid/water. This is how I remove rust rrom 53-62 front cross member/suspension components. After the acid dip, rinse (with HOT water from my power washer), then I blast them and they're ready for paint, powder coating, etc.

[Steve L.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I have the large HF vibrator with the green diamonds and other media. Even with the water, it's useless. Has been sitting in my shed untouched for yrs.
Glass beads is the way to go.

[Bill H.]

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

Yep, long time user. Can't enough about this product. No hot tank required. Works very well.
I also have some rust desolver that I got a long time ago from Eastwood, it leaves a finish similar to black oxide.

I also have a glass bead cabinet but on certain parts the glass bead finish isn't what i wanted. An example is the horn ring on my 67, it had some surface rust. Evapo worked it in 8 hours AND Evapo didn't affect the plastic/nylon spacers on the horn ring.

I got into a discussion on another forum, a guy said "can you just soak the part in PB Blaster?"
So I tried it on some door hinge bolts, PB didn't work. Evapo did. Pics below.
Evaporust is just a fantastic product.

[Steve L.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I have the large HF vibrator with the green diamonds and other media. Even with the water, it's useless. Has been sitting in my shed untouched for yrs.
Glass beads is the way to go.

[Scott S.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I cleaned most of my fasteners with a brass wire wheel on a bench grinder, and sealed them in labeled zip-lock bags. Even so, some of them have developed new (light) rust over the space of a few months, and will require a quick trip to the bench grinder again before sending them out for re-plating.

What should be used to prevent re-rusting, that won't cause a problem for the plater, between the time fasteners are cleaned and when they are replated?

[Bill H.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I cleaned most of my fasteners with a brass wire wheel on a bench grinder, and sealed them in labeled zip-lock bags. Even so, some of them have developed new (light) rust over the space of a few months, and will require a quick trip to the bench grinder again before sending them out for re-plating.

What should be used to prevent re-rusting, that won't cause a problem for the plater, between the time fasteners are cleaned and when they are replated?

I use WD, it comes right off with brake clean and I've painted parts right after.
But I don't think it would be any problem for a plater because those parts go in a acid cleaning bath before plating.
WD doesn't last that long if parts are exposed but does well if they are bagged. Eastwood used to sell a product called Oil Finish, it works really well but i can't find it on their web site anymore.

[Scott S.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

I use WD, it comes right off with brake clean and I've painted parts right after.
But I don't think it would be any problem for a plater because those parts go in a acid cleaning bath before plating.
WD doesn't last that long if parts are exposed but does well if they are bagged. Eastwood used to sell a product called Oil Finish, it works really well but i can't find it on their web site anymore.

Thanks Bill,

I have WD40, just wanted to be sure I wasn't causing a problem for the plater by using some sort of protectant.

[Paul J.]

Re: Vibratory Tumbler..... Thoughts?

Thanks Bill,

I have WD40, just wanted to be sure I wasn't causing a problem for the plater by using some sort of protectant.

Water Desicant Formula number 40. Rust protection is what it was designed for. The acid dip the plater does is for degreasing the part, i.e. to remove oils from your fingers, or from WD 40, etc.

Paul