Vibratory Tumbler result pics - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davepl · 03-23-2012, 07:13 PM

If anyone's been curious about vibratory tumblers for cleaning/restoring small parts, I bought one from Summit for about $69 (with media) and gave it a test-drive. The picture is below. The springs especially, being 40 years in the weather, were completely rusted, as was the adjuster screw.

It does a surprisingly good job. It's a two pass, first with little plastic triangles that does the cleaning and rust removal, then some brown corn cob stuff that polishes them up.

I've been then clearcoating (this pic was raw out of the tumbler) and have a zinc plating thing on order to try that, since these are otherwise bare metal now.

- Dave

stealthy '69 · 03-23-2012, 07:29 PM

they look like brand spankin' new. what size is the tumbler?

Spoof · 03-23-2012, 07:41 PM

Could I put my cab in it?

Ackattack · 03-23-2012, 07:51 PM

I got one from harbor freight a few years ago and have never been that impressed with the results. I only have the little plastic triangles though, maybe I should get the polishing media too.

**LockDoc** · 03-23-2012, 10:55 PM

-
I didn't have much luck with my vibrator tumbler either but it's a pretty small one. This is what I use now. Man does it work good and you can get a lot of stuff in it...

.. I use regular old river sand in it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-1-2-h...xer-67536.html

LockDoc

davepl · 03-23-2012, 11:02 PM

This is the one I got, $89 from Summit, comes with one 12-inch and one 8-inch and both media types. The baskets don't look very sturdy, but I can't see how I'd break it:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RMF-23007/

Eastwood keeps sending me flyers and emails for theirs, but the cheaper one that's actually on sale has been backordered since 2011. Don't know if its a bait-and-switch to get you to buy their big dog unit or if I'm just unluck, but I got tired of waiting so grabbed the Summit one.

If nothing else, Summit doesn't use styrofoam peanuts in their shipping. I'm strill trying to get all the damned peanuts out of my LMC parts like radiator hoses...

Meatman · 03-23-2012, 11:32 PM

How long do you run them? Probably not very quiet either huh?

03-23-2012, 07:13 PM	#1
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Vibratory Tumbler result pics If anyone's been curious about vibratory tumblers for cleaning/restoring small parts, I bought one from Summit for about $69 (with media) and gave it a test-drive. The picture is below. The springs especially, being 40 years in the weather, were completely rusted, as was the adjuster screw. It does a surprisingly good job. It's a two pass, first with little plastic triangles that does the cleaning and rust removal, then some brown corn cob stuff that polishes them up. I've been then clearcoating (this pic was raw out of the tumbler) and have a zinc plating thing on order to try that, since these are otherwise bare metal now. - Dave Attached Images

03-23-2012, 07:41 PM	#3
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Re: Vibratory Tumbler result pics Could I put my cab in it? __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

03-23-2012, 07:51 PM	#4
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	Re: Vibratory Tumbler result pics I got one from harbor freight a few years ago and have never been that impressed with the results. I only have the little plastic triangles though, maybe I should get the polishing media too. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

03-23-2012, 10:55 PM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,772	Re: Vibratory Tumbler result pics - I didn't have much luck with my vibrator tumbler either but it's a pretty small one. This is what I use now. Man does it work good and you can get a lot of stuff in it..... I use regular old river sand in it. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-1-2-h...xer-67536.html LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-23-2012, 11:02 PM	#6
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Vibratory Tumbler result pics This is the one I got, $89 from Summit, comes with one 12-inch and one 8-inch and both media types. The baskets don't look very sturdy, but I can't see how I'd break it: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RMF-23007/ Eastwood keeps sending me flyers and emails for theirs, but the cheaper one that's actually on sale has been backordered since 2011. Don't know if its a bait-and-switch to get you to buy their big dog unit or if I'm just unluck, but I got tired of waiting so grabbed the Summit one. If nothing else, Summit doesn't use styrofoam peanuts in their shipping. I'm strill trying to get all the damned peanuts out of my LMC parts like radiator hoses...

03-23-2012, 11:32 PM	#7
Meatman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Topeka, Ks Posts: 604	Re: Vibratory Tumbler result pics How long do you run them? Probably not very quiet either huh? __________________ Daily-94 K2500 350 5spd extended cab longbox Project Red Velvet-68 C20 396-th400-AC-PS-PB-all original except for the 8 track and the gun rack. Build thread>>>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=495881 My 01 TA and 88 Formula hide in the garage. :-)



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