Tumbler died. Move to Ultrasonic?

[gpidaho]

I don't think the tub style vibrating cleaning units would work for wet cleaning. It's the rotation of the drum that does the work. Just buy rotary tub S.S. pin unit and a magnet for collection of the pins and you'll be set. There's no $50 dollar way to get a good brass cleaning unit unless you build one yourself.Gp

[Conditor22]

went to Wet pin tumbling and never looked back

I built 2 tumblers (with 2-gallon buckets)off of this design https://youtu.be/MchjmCIvzlY

the first build with a wood frame


second build with metal frame and adjustable feet (I set a 20# SFRB sized ingot of monotype on the frame to cut back on the movement)








I threw together a "tool" to help tighten and open the lid


I use 7# of pins, 1/2 teaspoon citric acid, and 2 pumps of dish soap.
I fill the container 80% with brass and 90% with hot water.
rinse well immediately after finishing using a media separator to remove the pins, give them a quick bath in carwash/wax and water, rinse lightly, media separator to remove excess water, towel dry then dry in an old food dehydrator.

results

[gpidaho]

Good job GRMPS! And that's how you get a great tumbler on the cheap. Gp

[bangerjim]

Pin tumbling is the on y way to go.

An ultrasonic of 800+ watts is needed to really do anything. I have a BIG one that is 1KW + heater for cleaning clock movements. Those little cheap things HF sells are for cleaning jewelry! No power at all. For a REALLY good powerful commercial US cleaner, figure a buck a watt.

I would fix the one you have. Or make one like in post #22.

[dangitgriff]

Well then!

I am certainly hearing you guys. Sounds like the majority consensus is pin tumbling. Never mind the ultrasonic.

I had hear of the thumblers and the f.a.r.t., but given my horrible memory they didn’t come to mind. I’ll go have a look at those here in a second.

So are some of you wet tumbling with pins in a traditional tub style tumbler? Am I reading that right?

I bought a Chicago Electric double-drum rock tumbler similar to this one currently sold on Amazon:

Leegol Electric Rotary Rock Tumbler Double Drum 6LB Lapidary Polisher (Double Drum)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1TWXFD...ing=UTF8&psc=1

I see they also have a single drum type from a different manufacturer:

Discover with Dr. Cool Hobby Rock Tumbler – Easily Transform Rocks into Gemstones
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LQCIKRU...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[Conditor22]

thanks, GP

for smaller batches, frame in a bucket to fit square peanut jars (can also be used for powder coating and tumbling round balls in a little graphite to get them round)

[Chainsaw.]

Where are you getting the two gallon buckets like that?

Will the screw on lid leak? Much?

I actually have some goodies laying around I could make a big roller...Hmm...

[NyFirefighter357]

https://www.homedepot.com/s/buckets?NCNI-5

Pool chlorine buckets are good for this as well.

[Conditor22]

Where are you getting the two gallon buckets like that?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Companion-5-gal-and-3-gal-Screw-Top-Bucket-Lid-in-Black-LD5GRLBK006/303808738

Will the screw on lid leak? Much?

IF you snug the lid on (not over-torque) I get practically no leaking


I actually have some goodies laying around I could make a big roller...Hmm...

It's fun/satisfying to make stuff yourself

[Steve Steven]

Consider replacing the motor in the one you have, Surplus Center https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydraulics/ has a lot of inexpensive motors one should fit

Steve

[Chainsaw.]

It's fun/satisfying to make stuff yourself

Absolutely! I actually quite enjoy making little machine etc for tasks like this.

[Chainsaw.]

Consider replacing the motor in the one you have, Surplus Center https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydraulics/ has a lot of inexpensive motors one should fit

Steve

Ah yes! I love surplus center, forgot about em. Pretty decent stuff for good prices, better than harbor freight but not the exorbitant prices of say McMaster Carr.

[Chainsaw.]

https://www.homedepot.com/s/buckets?NCNI-5

Pool chlorine buckets are good for this as well.

Link took me to HDs generic bucket page. Do you mean like the chlorine buckets that have the tall, knurled lid?

[ebb]

You need to make your own decision on tumbling, I did and wet tumbling is way more work. Wet tumbling with ss media is great for really tarnished range brass that no one else will use. On brass that is in your normal shooting cycle and not too bad a vibratory doesn't get the brass wet and is much simpler. i have a wet system, a rebel 17 and it works good it what it does, but if the brass was clean and you just shot it and it is going right to the reloading bench it doesn't need the pins and to be wet and dried. If you decide to get another vibratory don't mess with they toys, get a Dillon. I have had the smaller Dillon for about 15 years and it has a motor 3 times the size of my old Lyman. The big Dillon is huge, you may not need one that big.

[John Boy]

Chainsaw, send Franklin an email ... motors should not burn out. They might send you a free replacement

[NyFirefighter357]

Link took me to HDs generic bucket page. Do you mean like the chlorine buckets that have the tall, knurled lid?

The link lists the 2.5gal buckets as well as the screw on lids. They sell chlorine by the pound, the buckets come in a variety of sizes and many have very well sealed screw on lids. The screw on lids from HD leaked a little on me as it's just a large O ring on a flat lid as apposed to a gasket set into the lid that seals. Go with something that's 2.5ga or smaller.

[NyFirefighter357]