The Shop > Finishing
Tumbler Trials & Tribulations
foozer:
--- Quote from: 1hand on February 04, 2011, 09:09:14 PM ---
I'm happy with the results. Saw burrs are gone, corners are intact, and the have a very nice gun metal finish
Matt
--- End quote ---
Looks nice, edges look evenly radius'd. Tomorrow Ill find a nice sharp edged piece and stick it in the rotary for a bit. Will be just using steel BB's as the debur agent.
Awaiting the package of various grits to arrive so I can occupy some time doing that Important Guy Stuff.
Robert
1hand:
Yup, a Chesse Head I Am.
1hand:
3 hours in the second mixture, and results are about the same with a smoother finish. Still a dull gun metal color.
My pic wouldn't show the difference, but there is a difference to touch thats noticable.
I exchanged the Medium ceramic to a fine. I now filled the barrel 3/4 full with media. Fuller than with the last too batches. I filled with water til I could just see it in the media. About 4oz of the nu finish, and 2oz of the simple green. This will be the last rotary step in this trial. I will leave this one run for 8hrs while I take a nap.
Next I will take them to the vibratory tumbler, and start out with a red rouge and nut shells for 8hrs.
The last step I'll try in the Vibratory will be with corn media with the green rouge and a dash of liquid brass polish for 10 plus hrs.
I read if you put strips of fabric dryer sheets in with dry media, it helps cut the dust. :scratch:
Matt
foozer:
So far so good for ya. Are you happy with the edge detail so far? or does the polish wheel still have its appeal? Wonder if its the soap that imparting the color
I put a rough piece of brass about 1 inch in dia in a rotary tumbler with 1/2 cup steel BB's (Daisy) dry. Piece started with edges that would (did) cut my finger. Let it run for an hour. Now I have a rough piece of brass with edges smooth as a baby's bottom. No cut de finger. Not enough resolution on the camera to see. Now the same piece is in the rotary with 1/4 pound of 80 grit silicon carbide (came in mail today) and 1/2 cup water. Going to let it run till morning.
Probably why its said to use stainless balls for debur. The cheap steel ones do impart a dark colour to AL, a dull grey, but it does polish off.
After the 80 grit (if any of the piece is left I'll do a 220 then a 500. Nothing else but a curious adventure and what the heck, nothing ventured, nothing messed up.
Robert
1hand:
I'm interested in the grits your using. Is it like a powder? The rotary came with some stuff for rocks thats fine like a powder.
I not worried yet about the color. These 3 first steps are for get the texture right. Its the last 2 that will make her bling I hope.
If I dont turn my buffing wheel on again won't hurt my feelings......or fingers.
I want try this red stuff next. Its geared more towards brass, but the courser media and rouge is the baby step I wanta try before the final rub with the soft stuff.
When using a liqiud polish with the dry media, we are only talking an tsp. to 12 cups of dry media.
We will see what happens 2moro. If its a bust we start over, and adjust.
I figure about 2 or 3 more 12pks I have this polishing down. :beer:
Matt
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