Thread: New Idea??? Experimentation....

Oh man.

$35 for the tumbler + cost of the media - my increasingly rare spare time = a possible solution for me!

I'll have to talk to the gun shop up the road and see if they got the stuff in stock and how much it'd run me.

Niiiice! I'm seriously thinking about going this route.

We need to make this thread a STICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well a fine silica sand does work but it doesn't flow as well as the walnut shells, due to it's weight I believe.
And so far I haven't noticed any difference between the two in cleaning ability.
Tomorrow I am going to go get a fine Black Beauty and see how it does. But the sand definitely is not too harsh for the blade.
And the jury is still out on the blade with the scales still on as I have taken it out for now and am experimenting with the two different types of media on blades alone.
I have noticed that for full scale rust a good sanding helps the process along a lot.
Ted

After seeing the results I've started looking into vibratory tumblers. I've been looking at the Raytech line of tumblers and noticed that one of their models is called a "Dri-Polisher" (about a third of the way down the page).

Are other vibratory tumblers made to be used with wet media? (..water?)
Did you use anything other than dry media and polish gssixgun?

From the pics it doesn't seem like it but I just want to get my facts straight.

Originally Posted by stogieiv

Well a fine silica sand does work but it doesn't flow as well as the walnut shells, due to it's weight I believe.
And so far I haven't noticed any difference between the two in cleaning ability.
Tomorrow I am going to go get a fine Black Beauty and see how it does. But the sand definitely is not too harsh for the blade.
And the jury is still out on the blade with the scales still on as I have taken it out for now and am experimenting with the two different types of media on blades alone.
I have noticed that for full scale rust a good sanding helps the process along a lot.
Ted

I was thinking that a sand might be to heavy and dense, to create the swirl, that is needed for effective polishing, but we are just now learning what these things can and can't do.... I tossed in a really rusted razor last night, I used some 220 grit for exactly 5 minutes to rough off the rust and tossed it in.... So Razor #2 is already turnning and burning

Originally Posted by D2T

After seeing the results I've started looking into vibratory tumblers. I've been looking at the Raytech line of tumblers and noticed that one of their models is called a "Dri-Polisher" (about a third of the way down the page).

Are other vibratory tumblers made to be used with wet media? (..water?)
Did you use anything other than dry media and polish gssixgun?

From the pics it doesn't seem like it but I just want to get my facts straight.

STOP!!!!!
Whoa nelly....... those are frigging EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! I placed a link in the thread, to one that is the newer version of what I have, and it is $34.99 on SALE Midway has larger sizes, but for what we are doing I don't think, ya need them.... I am not ready to try tossing in more than one razor at a time ( let me if know if any of you try it)
BTW just so ya know the blue one I have is probably 10-12 years old and has turned tens of thousands of brass cases, and thousands of bullets have been moly coated on it...These little buggers last forever and a day, the larger black one in the pics is over 25 years old...

Question 2. yes they can be used with wet solutions, the first one in your link is being used with rock polishing compounds...
I have used mine as a "Ultrasonic" cleaner with parts cleaner in it and gun parts bouncing around the bottom ( I would not reccomend this with a razor they really do the hippy hippy shake)

That is another thing I can't really see the center columns in those links you sent, That columm and bowl design, is what causes the media to swirl, and I am not familiar with those designs, maybe one of our members is a "rock-gem nut" that knows more than I do... Sorry I am just the resident GUN NUT here

Originally Posted by gssixgun

STOP!!!!!
Whoa nelly....... those are frigging EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! I placed a link in the thread, to one that is the newer version of what I have, and it is $34.99 on SALE Midway has larger sizes, but for what we are doing I don't think, ya need them....

I saw your link, but I was just looking at my other options. I hadn't decided on any particular brand yet. Thanks for your advice

Very interesting concept. I have a rotary tumbler for shell cleaning, I wonder how it will work in comparison. Guess I'll have to find a blade to try it on!

I'm totally jealous of the setups in those pics for reloading. I have a good set of tools and can do shotgun, pistol and rifle as well as cast bullets too, just not nearly as organized (or well stocked, which reminds me I need to pick up some powder). It shares the workbench with everything else... almost. (I do dedicate half the bench to firearms, either reloading, repairing, cleaning, smithing, etc)

regarding blasting media- black beauty is most likely way too aggressive- be careful with it. It makes metal things disappear very quickly.

Next question...

How loud is the Frankford Arsenal tumbler when it runs? Unfortunately I have no garage so it'd be running in my basement. The master bedroom is pretty much directly above where I'd end up putting it so noise level is a concern.

...as loud as pager?
...as loud as a paint mixer?
...as loud as a Boeing 747 preparing for takeoff?