Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Vibratory tumbler #2930324
06/05/21 05:28 PM
06/05/21 05:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,788
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Magnum Offline OP
master
Magnum  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,788
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Anyone know of a good brand? So many bad reviews.

Have you used one to clean hardware and small brackets?


69 Super Bee, 93 Mustang LX, 04 Allure Super
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: Magnum] #2930328
06/05/21 05:39 PM
06/05/21 05:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,576
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
340SIX Offline
Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
340SIX  Offline
Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,576
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
Bas review's are due to most being made cheap in China.
As,far as ones that shake I have 2 an old Lyman and RCBS.
They both have 50 50 mix of corn cob and walnut media.
But have a Thumbs Thumber Model B USA made as well that has a hexagon barrel that is way better. I tumble bit wet and dry with different media's.
What size parts are you looking to clean and what are they made of?


[img]https://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/sig%20pics/2840886-340SIX-1.jpg[/img]
VP of the MPM in New Orleans
73 Dart Sport 340/ 70 challenger vert. That may still get built, If I live long enough
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: 340SIX] #2930789
06/07/21 09:28 AM
06/07/21 09:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
master
rickseeman  Online Content
master

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Vibratory finishing is what I do. But most of the stuff I do is on the industrial level. Normally for a job like that I use steel pins. They are good at "picking out" the dirt and grease. But most home level machines can't handle the weight of steel media. And pins are very expensive. You are probably stuck with using a Harbor Freight type machine and small ceramic media. You will need a soap too for the parts to come out clean.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: rickseeman] #2930814
06/07/21 10:45 AM
06/07/21 10:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
Rhinotruck
Rhinodart  Offline
Rhinotruck

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
I sold my Harbor Freight POS as it didn't do what it was supposed to. I would like a good unit, so I am following this thread. I have 6-5 gallon buckets full of factory hardware that was in my garage fire, I would like to clean it and keep it, Chinesium bolts are garbage nowadays... tsk


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: Magnum] #2930859
06/07/21 12:25 PM
06/07/21 12:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,153
Mass
DAYCLONA Offline
I Live Here
DAYCLONA  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,153
Mass
Originally Posted by Magnum
Anyone know of a good brand? So many bad reviews.

Have you used one to clean hardware and small brackets?




Hammond roto-finish, industrial machines, they do have some small "bench top" units, depends on what your looking to do and how much you want to spend....

Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: Rhinodart] #2930949
06/07/21 04:02 PM
06/07/21 04:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
Originally Posted by Rhinodart
I sold my Harbor Freight POS as it didn't do what it was supposed to. I would like a good unit, so I am following this thread. I have 6-5 gallon buckets full of factory hardware that was in my garage fire, I would like to clean it and keep it, Chinesium bolts are garbage nowadays... tsk


And what was that?

Seems to me, if it works, and its only for small non industrial jobs, how unsatisfactory could it be? It just shakes, right?

That is a sincere question.


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: jcc] #2930963
06/07/21 04:22 PM
06/07/21 04:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
master
rickseeman  Online Content
master

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
The HF units are barely useable. I've had customers run parts for 24 hours that I thought was a 15-30 minute job. But all my knowledge is in the high grade stuff. These machines have much more power. And some can handle the weight of steel media for burnishing. Sometimes you can pickup a name brand machine on ebay for $1,000. I'll be retiring in 2 months and I'm trying to decide what to take home for my shop after a lifetime of vibratory finisher sales.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: Magnum] #2930985
06/07/21 05:06 PM
06/07/21 05:06 PM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 350
Mequon, WI
G
gzig5 Offline
enthusiast
gzig5  Offline
enthusiast
G

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 350
Mequon, WI
A rotary tumbler like the Thumbler's is going to be the easiest to use with the SS pin media which does a great job cleaning. The common vibratory can't handle the weight, as has been mentioned, until you get into very expensive units. You can make a rotary tumbler with basic tools. tons of examples on the web. I have a few fender bolts and washers in mine right now. I've used a variety of scrap bolts, nuts, and screws for media before I got another batch of SS pins and it worked good but didn't get in the tightest spots like the pins do.
I do have a couple Midway brand tumblers and they are OK for a few small parts but the corn media is slooooooow to clean with.

Last edited by gzig5; 06/07/21 05:08 PM.
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: rickseeman] #2930986
06/07/21 05:06 PM
06/07/21 05:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,406
Kalispell Mt.
H
HotRodDave Offline
I Live Here
HotRodDave  Offline
I Live Here
H

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,406
Kalispell Mt.
I bought a Hornady bullet brass cleaner, put some diesel fuel and BBs in it and used it for years to clean nuts, bolts and other small parts, worked just fine surprisingly.


I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!



Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: HotRodDave] #2931002
06/07/21 05:54 PM
06/07/21 05:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
N
NITROUSN Offline
I Live Here
NITROUSN  Offline
I Live Here
N

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
I don't get what the weight does or has on these tumblers. The one I have the basket is oscillated on rubber cushions. All the motor does is spinning an offset weight to make the basket oscillate. The motor is on its own and knows nothing about the weight in the basket.

Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: NITROUSN] #2931013
06/07/21 06:24 PM
06/07/21 06:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,948
British Columbia
C
chrisf Offline
master
chrisf  Offline
master
C

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,948
British Columbia
i bought a fairly large one and drove 8hrs return to get it. bought media and tried it. ran it for 24hrs. relisted it and sent if back to the same area it came from. In 5 minutes i can do more with my blaster than this one did in 24hrs.
i think if you wanted to make a 5-10g investment in a pro one and had nothing but time on your hands and love to watch things vibrate it would be the fun toy for you. i can do more with my blaster in 95% less time than a tumbler can.

Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: chrisf] #2931074
06/07/21 08:38 PM
06/07/21 08:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,131
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
5
5thAve Offline
Doesn't care what this says anyway
5thAve  Offline
Doesn't care what this says anyway
5

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,131
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
I've had pretty good luck getting small stuff clean with liquid rust remover or even vinegar and usually wire wheel anything that can easily be done that way.
I had a bench top sand blasting cabinet ordered hoping to do a bit with that and the order got cancelled so now I'm back to my old ways again.

Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: Magnum] #2931097
06/07/21 09:43 PM
06/07/21 09:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,473
N.E. OHIO, USA
A12 Offline
Too Many Posts
A12  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,473
N.E. OHIO, USA
How good or bad are the vibratory tumblers from Eastwood ??

https://www.eastwood.com/autobody/buffing/vibratory-tumblers.html

(that silhouette of the car at the bottom of the page with "subscribe" looks familiar, scope sure looks like a Mopar to me up up wink )

Mike

Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: A12] #2931101
06/07/21 10:01 PM
06/07/21 10:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
N
NITROUSN Offline
I Live Here
NITROUSN  Offline
I Live Here
N

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
Originally Posted by A12
How good or bad are the vibratory tumblers from Eastwood ??

https://www.eastwood.com/autobody/buffing/vibratory-tumblers.html

(that silhouette of the car at the bottom of the page with "subscribe" looks familiar, scope sure looks like a Mopar to me up up wink )

Mike


My first two failed. They sent a third which I have never used. They said I was the only one with problems. Both were replaced at no charge but they said the third one would be the last one that would be under warranty.So buyer beware.

Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: 5thAve] #2931109
06/07/21 10:34 PM
06/07/21 10:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
kentj340 Offline
top fuel
kentj340  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
Originally Posted by 5thAve
I've had pretty good luck getting small stuff clean with liquid rust remover or even vinegar and usually wire wheel anything that can easily be done that way.
I had a bench top sand blasting cabinet ordered hoping to do a bit with that and the order got cancelled so now I'm back to my old ways again.


I've done a few thousand small parts and fasteners with just vinegar and hand wire brushing. The hand wire brushing is very effective if you make a few ultra simple work holding jigs from scrap wood and wear a leather glove. The jigs were mostly just a groove or similar in a board, and most of the holding was my gloved left hand. Yes, it is tedious, so I did a dozen or two at a time in about a half hour most days for a few months.

P1010200.JPGP1020291.JPGP1040888.JPG

If you don't see two dolphins, you need a vacation.
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: kentj340] #2931110
06/07/21 10:36 PM
06/07/21 10:36 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
kentj340 Offline
top fuel
kentj340  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
Those were before. These are after.

After.jpgP1030897.jpgP1030898.jpg

If you don't see two dolphins, you need a vacation.
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: kentj340] #2931111
06/07/21 10:39 PM
06/07/21 10:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
kentj340 Offline
top fuel
kentj340  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
If the fasteners aren't going to be painted, this is what waxing will do for you on phosphated fasteners and small parts.

P1040899.JPGP1040900.JPGP1040901.JPGP1040902.JPG

If you don't see two dolphins, you need a vacation.
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: chrisf] #2931115
06/07/21 10:50 PM
06/07/21 10:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
Originally Posted by chrisf
i bought a fairly large one and drove 8hrs return to get it. bought media and tried it. ran it for 24hrs. relisted it and sent if back to the same area it came from. In 5 minutes i can do more with my blaster than this one did in 24hrs.
i think if you wanted to make a 5-10g investment in a pro one and had nothing but time on your hands and love to watch things vibrate it would be the fun toy for you. i can do more with my blaster in 95% less time than a tumbler can.


eek kudos for trying.

Is however a big factor in the end finished product, the media used?


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: kentj340] #2931184
06/08/21 09:34 AM
06/08/21 09:34 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,704
MICHIGAN
DynoDave Offline
master
DynoDave  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,704
MICHIGAN
Interesting topic. I have an HF one, but have not used it yet. Not feeling particularly optimistic after reading all this.

Originally Posted by kentj340
If the fasteners aren't going to be painted, this is what waxing will do for you on phosphated fasteners and small parts.


Nice work. What did you use for the phosphate coating? Not familiar with the waxing process.


DynoDave
Walter P. Chrysler Club - Great Lakes Region
Member # 12304
1970 Plymouth Duster
1972 Dodge Charger Rallye
https://wichargerguy.proboards.com/
1977 Chrysler Cordoba
Re: Vibratory tumbler [Re: NITROUSN] #2931185
06/08/21 09:36 AM
06/08/21 09:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
master
rickseeman  Online Content
master

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Originally Posted by NITROUSN
I don't get what the weight does or has on these tumblers. The one I have the basket is oscillated on rubber cushions. All the motor does is spinning an offset weight to make the basket oscillate. The motor is on its own and knows nothing about the weight in the basket.


Yes, the "basket" sits on springs/rubber cushions. But even on a medium size machine (20 cubic foot) the steel media weighs 6,000 lbs. So the media in the machine weighs as much as 2 cars. It takes a lot of power to shake that back and forth 1,200 times per minute.

Yes, the motor is on it's own and attached to nothing else. But it does know about the weight in the basket. Also the machine must be built a lot stronger to handle the horsepower necessary.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1