Vibratory Tumbler, anyone ever build one?

[Strouty]

I have a vibratory feeder that was used to place small parts on a conveyor, was thinking of trying to convert it to a tumbler, anyone ever make one? Not even sure how much vibration they need to work. If I do try it out, what would you guys use for a bowl?

I am looking to use it to clean rusty bolts, so I would want it to clean threads as well as the bolt head. Maybe this is not even a good idea, you tell me.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Strouty, it is a good idea but finding a suitable bowl might be a problem. I have a vibratory tumbler for reloading that works very well for cleaning small parts and the bowl is shaped like a bunt cake pan used for baking. The shape helps to move the parts in a circular motion to speed the cleaning process up.

 

[Strouty]

I would think that someone must sell parts, so maybe I can buy just the bowl? Does it have a cover, do you need one?

 

[Ericgst]

I have a few tumblers and they do have special shaped molded bowls with lids. The shape allows the media and parts to roll and not get stuck in one place. Without the lid the dust would go everywhere, I wouldn't recommend it indoors.

 

[Strouty]

That makes sense about the lid. The metal "bowl" that I have has a corkscrew of ribs around the outside so the parts climb in a spiral, it may do what is needed, but I think the bowl like you guys are talking about would be much better. Maybe I can find a broken machine that has a good bowl, I guess worst case I just buy a good working used one and not even worry about how to custom make one out of something that is not designed to be what I want.

 

[guy48065]

I made a rotary tumbler for reloading out of parts from a big typewriter, faceted drum glued up from MDF. VERY quiet.

 

[firworks]

Strouty, it is a good idea but finding a suitable bowl might be a problem. I have a vibratory tumbler for reloading that works very well for cleaning small parts and the bowl is shaped like a bunt cake pan used for baking. The shape helps to move the parts in a circular motion to speed the cleaning process up.

I would think that someone must sell parts, so maybe I can buy just the bowl? Does it have a cover, do you need one?

Wilton sells some parts. Really high quality too. I use mine all the time. Devil's food with just some sifted powdered sugar on top. So good.

View media item 60850
Nordic Ware is another good choice.

If you want I can ask my GF to grab you one at the next Wilton tent sale. She goes with her mom every year. They are HQ'd in Chicago.

 

[txvwnut]

You can buy replacement bowls for HF's line of vibratory tumblers as well as Eastwood. Not sure if they would be the size you need though. My big tumbler is a rectangle box with a half round bottom which is a design you can easily make if you can weld and do basic metal fab. But I don't know it the box design will work with your vibratory base.

 

[Brian_WK]

I built one out of a 3 gallon sheetrock mud pail and a palm sander. Used Crushed walnut shells from a pet store and nu-finish ran it with engine bolts and smaller pieces. It was loud as hell but it didn't cost me a thing and worked well. When done I just unmounted the sander. There are videos all over You-tube on this style if you want a taste of the volume.

Brian

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I was using a coffee can doing the hand shake I was so cheap. Luckily I found a used Thumler's Tumbler in acceptable shape on a forum for $20! The can is really stout, almost too much for the motor. The rubber belt slips on the rollers sometimes but typically runs all night without issue. Scares the pests away. Mine makes this one look brand new.

 

[G-ManBart]

I use a tumbler for reloading, and I think you might be disappointed with how they work removing rust on bolts. I run fresh crushed walnut (generally considered the fastest for cleaning brass) and it's still pretty slow to remove anything other than normal soot/dirt. You might have better luck using stainless steel pins for tumbling media (normally used in wet tumbling) but they're not cheap.

Just for reference, you can get a complete tumbler for $39:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MYGLJC/?tag=atomicindus08-20


This Lyman bowl would work just fine and is only $13 but shipping cranks it up to $22.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005I0I3V0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mikebaker1129]

Harbor Freight sells a media for cleaning rusty bolts .i purchased some and have been using it on some small rusty tools.i will go out to the garage and get the name of it.
It looks like green rocks and comes in a blue plastic container.

 

[txvwnut]

I'm running ceramic beads in my HF 5lb tumbler with an aqueous degreaser. It only tumbles nuts bolts and other small hardware, with the ceramic it does a decent job of removing rust and really good job of grease and grime removal due to the degreaser.

I've got ceramic polygons in my big tumbler also with an aqueous degreaser.

 

[2mJps]

Harbor Freight sells a media for cleaning rusty bolts .i purchased some and have been using it on some small rusty tools.i will go out to the garage and get the name of it.
It looks like green rocks and comes in a blue plastic container.

How long do you let it run to clean rusty tools?

 

[bob15]

I think a rotary tumbler is much better than a vibrating style. I had an RCBS ******** that died many years ago. I wound up buying a Thumler Tumber, Model B. Other than replacing the drive O-ring, it has been good to me for 20 years. Very simple design.

http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/rotary.html

 

[Strouty]

Tomorrow I will try and dig out what I have so people can pass judgement on the usability of it. You guys are giving some great input. Thanks.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I run it a couple hours.

 

[G-ManBart]

I think a rotary tumbler is much better than a vibrating style. I had an RCBS ******** that died many years ago. I wound up buying a Thumler Tumber, Model B. Other than replacing the drive O-ring, it has been good to me for 20 years. Very simple design.

I keep waiting for my Lyman to die so I can get a rotary tumbler! In fact, I'm seriously tempted to make the switch anyway because I don't like dealing with lead contaminated dust.

 

[ilovevocs]

I was using a coffee can doing the hand shake I was so cheap. Luckily I found a used Thumler's Tumbler in acceptable shape on a forum for $20! The can is really stout, almost too much for the motor. The rubber belt slips on the rollers sometimes but typically runs all night without issue. Scares the pests away. Mine makes this one look brand new.

I have a tumblers tumbler I use for rock polishing with the kids. Made in USA, works very well and they sell replacement drums on Amazon.


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[LXCam]

I want to know how you can have a word with ******** in it on your thread title and not get Tampa in here chomping at the bit.