scampo77
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 3
|
Post by scampo77 on Aug 20, 2021 22:27:56 GMT -5
I want to get a tumbler to be able to wash and clean automotive parts. Will it work? How long will it take? Which abrasive should I try?
I'm super new and don't know anything, I am kind of a blank slate and willing to take any advice
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by perkins17 on Aug 20, 2021 23:21:26 GMT -5
scampo77 You can use a rotary tumbler or a vibratory. If you only want to clean parts, get a vibe and use it. You could probably use the harbor freight one. Maybe use a brass cleaning recipe or the plastic triangles made by harbor freight.
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Aug 20, 2021 23:35:46 GMT -5
Degreasing or dealing with rust and crusty dry stuff? For rust a dry tumble in walnut shells may do what you want, but personally I would get a soda blaster. If you're degreasing use a parts washer.
|
|
scampo77
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 3
|
Post by scampo77 on Aug 21, 2021 7:59:19 GMT -5
I have a parts washer that's like a big dish washer filled with caustic soda. I can get all of the grease off. I need to know if it's possible to use a tumbler for this industrial purpose.
I'll definitely check out harbor freight vibrating tables. I found some used but they are stupid expensive even used.
|
|
scampo77
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 3
|
Post by scampo77 on Aug 21, 2021 9:45:38 GMT -5
Also... Is it possible to get aggressive enough grit to rip powder coating off without destroying aluminum parts?
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Aug 22, 2021 10:08:22 GMT -5
A silverware tumbler with steel shot may work as well if the parts are big enough, but with a tumbler you may be spending a lot of time cleaning barrels and media. Aluminum can be fun. I spent a lot of time researching aluminum inserts in rubber parts, and the only time reclaiming made any sense was when they were large machined inserts. Your powder coat is likely not bonded at all to the aluminum, unless some kind of etching primer was used, or it was bead blasted less than 15 minuted before coating. Some alloys may differ, but aluminum is constantly oxidizing, and few methods of sealing it will stop the process, only slow it down. There are acid based wheel cleaners that will remove powder coats, if they are even still legal to buy.
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Aug 22, 2021 12:43:53 GMT -5
I use a 5 gallon pail of carb cleaner and it takes paint off wonderfully, then I put my parts into a vibe tumbler with crushed walnut shells for a couple of hours, I pull the parts out of the walnut shells with a magnet, any non magnetic parts I have to fish out by hand, you also sometimes have to fish out pieces of walnut shells from the threads, but it works good and fast.
Tony
|
|