Quote:
Originally Posted by piscator
Norm, thanks for your great contributions! I want to try your tumbling technique and plan to visit HF this week. Let me ask a couple of questions:
1. What media do you use in the tumbler?
2. Do you think I could tumble brake caliper pistons? Any tips on that?
3. Can I tumble multiple parts at one time, or should they be tumbled individually?
Your right, the bead-blasting does create a duller finish, unless you polish the part before plating. I actually like the duller finish on some parts. It reminds me of pewter.
My goal has been to get the parts plated well and swiftly, so I don't have to stall the project. For that purpose, bead-blasting works fine, for me. Of course, on those 'rush jobs' I can only do the white zinc, since the chromates take time to dry.
With my new Casswell chemistry, I'm ready to work on producing brighter finishes; so I'm looking forward to using the tumbler. I don't have a buffer, but I'm not sure I want to spend a lot of time polishing bolts to a high shine.
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Generally you would use the green resin to remove rust et followed by ceramic cylinders or balls to polish.
Yes you can put a bunch of parts in tumbler if your tumbler can handle them.
I bead blast parts before plating and they come out fine you need to use 180 grit or higher and blast parts at an angle.
Tumbling is great to close porous aluminum et sort of like shot peening but blasting is quick.
Don't waste your time trying to tumble car parts in a harbour freight tumbler it's like bringing a knife to a gun fight, and then you'll burn up the motor.