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The TTR250 FAQ web pages -> TTR250 -> Projects and restorations -> Using a rotary rock tumbler to de-rust nuts and bolts
Post Info TOPIC: Using a rotary rock tumbler to de-rust nuts and bolts
TTRfan


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Using a rotary rock tumbler to de-rust nuts and bolts
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I have been looking at rock tumblers as a possible way to go in cleaning up the hundreds of special Yamaha nuts and bolts, etc., that I have collected over the years before plating them.  I will de-grease them first but its de-rusting I need.

Most UK tumblers I found online were too small and expensive. The biggest I could find was the Chicago one only seemingly sold in the US.

I ended up buying this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=202142585852&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

I then had the challenge of finding the best (cheapest!?!) way of running its 120v 60Mhz 24w motor off a UK power supply. I have bought a travel transformer and hope it will be up to the job.

Has anyone used one of these and can advise on the best media to use please? I can only find info on vibratory tumblers cry

Brian

chicago5.JPG



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devon_rich


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Anyone use a rotary rock tumbler to de-rust nuts and bolts?
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Not totally sure but i think a 60Hz motor running at 50Hz will run but at 5/6 of the normal speed, a (basic) transformer will change the voltage but not the frequency. Site transformers run at 110Vac if you need more power than the travel transformer.

No idea about the media, maybe a fine gravel like in fish tanks



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devon_rich


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Then saw these

www.frost.co.uk/vibratory-tumbler-ceramic-triangles-deburring-media.html



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Cubber


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Mrs Cubber has a stone smoothing set up quite similar

                  Rolling.JPG

 

and the instructions do say it can be used for de-rusting metal objects:-

                   Image2.jpg

The address for the materals in Uk is CLICKY

Her completed stones are not remarkable but look OK for displaying in a heap and look like the stones off Budleigh Beach.

Martyn



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ridelimousin


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what about vinegar?

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Cubber


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I read a little more on this and they do supply steel polishing media for their machines.

CLICKY

I would prefer to use a rotary mop myself, barrelling stones smooth takes about 5+ days. bleh

Martyn



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mossproof


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ridelimousin wrote:

what about vinegar?

Or coca cola (Pepsi if you prefer  ) 



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ridelimousin


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pepsi man meself


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TTRfan


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LOL - thanks for the suggestions guys but this is going to be way more fun than just soaking in vinegar, Coke or Pepsi!  In any case brick acid (muriatic acid) would be the best way to go if going down the soaking route wink

I hadn't thought of a site transformer Rich but that would need to be a loan as too expensive to buy one just for this job.  I hadn't considered that the motor would slow down with the UK power supply but understand that the tumbler can be sped up by applying a suitable thickness of tape to the drive roller.

I saw the triangular media but maybe that is more effective on the vibratory tumblers?

Thanks for your info Martyn. Slightly worried that my barrel isn't finned but will just have to experiment.

I think I will start off trying the media I already have for the blast machine - glass beads, sand and fine metal particles (surprisingly abrasive and too much for aluminium parts which is why I use beads) that some dentists use for cleaning their eqpt.

I am not sure why water seems to be added to almost all the different tumbling media confuse

It is difficult blasting small parts as they blow out of your gloved hand and get lost in the media. Also wears the gloves out quickly and requires huge patience - and is slow. Not too bad if you are just doing a small number of items such as for a carb or swingarm but I am looking to do bulk cleans.

Walnut shell for polishing sounds interesting!

Brian



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TTRfan


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I have had a go at de-rusting some nuts and bolts using the sand media I have from the blaster.

Before tumbling:

Bolts before tumbling.jpg

 

After tumbling for about 14 hours in dry sand - not very impressive!

Bolts after dry tumbling.jpg

 

After adding water and a bit of liquid soap to the sand - about 15 hours of tumbling - better but not finished anything like good enough to plate no

Bolts after wet tumbling.jpg

 

Gonna try one of the recommended media from earlier posts on the thread but I was hoping not to spend more money on what might be a hopeless experiment that is doomed to ultimate failure cry

Brian



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TTRfan


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Ideally I would like to source some Rust Cutting Abrasive Resin Rotary Tumbler Media Pyramids 1/4" but so far I can only find suppliers in the States no

I can only find one UK supplier and they are out of stock cry

https://www.frost.co.uk/vibratory-tumbler-ceramic-triangles-deburring-media.html



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TTRfan


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RE: Using a rotary rock tumbler to de-rust nuts and bolts
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I bought some "porcelain angle cut" media to try and it has produced a good result when tumbling dry. Might get a better result with some water but adding water to de-rust steel parts seems counter intuitive!

I managed to find some ceramic triangular media which should work a bit more quickly and will test that and report back when it arrives wink

However, I am quite pleased with the latest result - getting there!

Bolts after dry tumbling ceramic media.jpg



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