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Vibratory tumber media
- Thread starter 472scout
- Start date
I had good luck with walnut hull material as used for polishing brass (reloading ammunition) on some dirty nuts and bolts and parts, but they didn't have any rust on them. The walnut material is easily available at most larger sporting goods stores and cheap, so probably worth a shot. If you're doing a lot of parts split the bag in two and use one half when they're dirty and then switch to the other half for a final clean/polish.
The cone shaped abrasives are probably what you want for removing any rust at all. Lots of places online to order them, not sure how available they would be locally. Haven't used them in years, my tumbler is too small for more than nuts and bolts.
The cone shaped abrasives are probably what you want for removing any rust at all. Lots of places online to order them, not sure how available they would be locally. Haven't used them in years, my tumbler is too small for more than nuts and bolts.
AZ Pete
Well-known member
I suspect that the ceramic cone media is what would work best. If you want walnut, get if cheap at pet stores..I think they call it lizard litter or something like that. The walnut is slow polishing brass, without adding some polish, so don't think it will be up to removing rust.
HMCFab9
Well-known member
You can also use a chemical to remove rust from bolts.
Muriatic acid works in a matter of minutes (but it's Nasty smelling stuff)
You could also get a small blasting cabinet if you have an air compressor.
(a tumbler takes forever to get rust off bolts)
Muriatic acid works in a matter of minutes (but it's Nasty smelling stuff)
You could also get a small blasting cabinet if you have an air compressor.
(a tumbler takes forever to get rust off bolts)
ScottinSSMd
Member
Navel jelly is a great rust remover. Used to de-rust bike parts when I was a kid. Always keep a jar around for the little projects.
dladcock
Well-known member
I use Purple Power Aluminum Wheel Brightener. Wheel Brightener is a softer acid, but is aggressive on grease. It is also strong enough to remove rust, although it it NOT recommended for Ferrous Metals.
Just drop the parts in a small container of of cleaner and let sit, but stay on top, it works quickly. After the acid bath I rinse in baking soda and water to neutralize, blow dry and treat with DupliColor Rust Fix.
Sometimes I leave them just as is or paint.
If you can't get into the process, the Wheel Cleaner works well on aluminum as intended. (Will brighten brass, too.)
dla
Just drop the parts in a small container of of cleaner and let sit, but stay on top, it works quickly. After the acid bath I rinse in baking soda and water to neutralize, blow dry and treat with DupliColor Rust Fix.
Sometimes I leave them just as is or paint.
If you can't get into the process, the Wheel Cleaner works well on aluminum as intended. (Will brighten brass, too.)
dla
Thanks for all the tips. It sounds like I need medium or maybe coarse ceramic media for my tumbler. These are mostly old suspension parts with years of corrosion, grime, and rust. I used to use the wire wheel on my grinder, which works well, but takes forever. Hopefully the tumbler will make that a thing of the past.
Putting threaded items into a tumbler is always a bad idea if you like your threads. Unless you make provisions that none of the threaded pieces touch each other when tumbling.
x2 on the old crock pot & degreaser trick. Those little potpourri warmers work well too. I use one which I bought at Goodwill for $2.
Wire wheel in your grinder for removing light rust, or burrs on the recently cut ends. Chamfer with a stone first of course.
x2 on the old crock pot & degreaser trick. Those little potpourri warmers work well too. I use one which I bought at Goodwill for $2.
Wire wheel in your grinder for removing light rust, or burrs on the recently cut ends. Chamfer with a stone first of course.
Last edited:
5lima30
Well-known member
+1 on the walnut media with a little flitz in it. Thats what I use for reloading. I wouldn't see why it wouldn't work for other things.
VWPORSCHEGT3
Banned
5lima30 , I've just aquired my tumbler for reloading, walnut is pretty good? and what flitz? I got plenty of 303 and 30-06 i gotta reload and want them to be perfect
VWPORSCHEGT3
Banned
sorry .... it was giving me hell ...
5lima30
Well-known member
5lima30 , I've just aquired my tumbler for reloading, walnut is pretty good? and what flitz? I got plenty of 303 and 30-06 i gotta reload and want them to be perfect
Ground walnut works well, some use corncob media which is a little softer. The brass I get from the range often has clay etc and the walnut seems to work a little better. I put about a tsp of flitz liquid metal polish in every load. That should work fine for 30-06. Good luck!
adragontattoo
Member
For those who use walnut media for tumbling, go to the pet store and pick up Lizard Litter. It is crushed Walnut for a MUCH cheaper price.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I suspect that the ceramic cone media is what would work best. If you want walnut, get if cheap at pet stores..I think they call it lizard litter or something like that. The walnut is slow polishing brass, without adding some polish, so don't think it will be up to removing rust.
You can't use the ceramic cones on bolts as it's too large.
What about trying a little bit of the Black Diamond sandblasting media. If you are trying to just clean the rust off, that should work fairly well. You wouldn't have to leave it in there for a real long time. As cheap as it is, I think it would be worth a try.