The Shop > Finishing
Tumbler Trials & Tribulations
foozer:
--- Quote from: Da_Kengineer_Meister on February 11, 2011, 04:03:23 PM ---What kind of lathe is that Robert?
--- End quote ---
You give it to much credit with the tag "Lathe"
its an old Craftsman aa109. Real good for spending an hour to set up for a ten minute work, crossing fingers all the time that it stays where you set it. Well not quite that bad. If you really watch the DI's and creep up on the target number, usually can hit it.
But then if it didnt drive me wacko, it would be no fun. Really should get a more robust machine, just too many flipping other projects that all call for $$$. Like those solar panels in the background hollering to be set back up (grid tie adventure) The putt putt car that I just did a cam change on and with giant brain fart used synthetic oil on a flat tappet setup, Ya it went flat on # 5 intake and of course the real smart one move off of the 20 acres into a 6000 sq footer, Less yard work but . . . if you want to ever see a BB bouncing in a tin can I'M it :)
So if the Elbow engine I'm slowly working on actually runs then the 109 can be called a lathe. Gotta love it
Robert
1hand:
7 hours of the SS shot and parts look terrible. Scratched up and a dull to dark gray. Edges seem to be taking a shine or is whats left of the orginal shine.
The scratches might be coming from parts hitting, so I've now cut the batch of parts in half to run again. I rinsed the shot and replaced the water with fresh, and added a small amount of compound. I will let it turn for 10 hrs and check.
Matt
foozer:
Thats curious, parts changing color. Guess then on my end its not strictly cause I used cheap BB's that caused the color change.
Now I have a piece rolling in dry BB's, bout 6 or so hours, no color change, dry. Did get the color when ran one with water. Do recall reading to change the fluid when it changes color tho. Piece in the walnut shells is still a going. Starting to brighten up. I have nothing but time so 4-5 days is no great wait.
Now where is that vibratory tumbler, funny once its here then time is nothing, but waiting for it to arrive GRRR.
Robert
1hand:
I went from 18 parts to 8, and now don't hear the thumping as much, just the shot rolling. I wasn't sure if changing the water was the thing to do, but if you think you read that was good, I feel better. I hope this works.
Matt
foozer:
Getting old am I, few minutes of "where the heck did I see that" coupled with the "when you going to learn to write down sources"
Reply #66 in this thread. The photo shots, instructions, change fluid when it turns dark. Now I'm really gonna step on my own tongue but we are cutting metal, generates heat, creates oxides, we don't see em but they be there. Tumblers by the nature of the process remove these oxides which turn the solution dark.
So the thought is, just to watch the fluid and rinse media, change fluid as necessary to keep it clean. As the dirt is removed from the parts and left in solution it'll just be transferred back onto the piece. So the drop of dawn dishsoap applied that has been mentioned must be to encapsulate the crud, reducing its transfer back. Still have to change fluids tho.
Also came across the table again indicates a 5-1 media - part ratio mix for minimal part to part contact. The more delicate the part the greater the ratio.
Patience, to which I personally have none, but I can wait. Coffee and donuts are well suited for those "Wait" times.
Back to beating them pieces to a shine :) just not so many at once
Robert
Edit photo 2 pieces. One on left from tumbler with dry BB's over night. Purpose was just to debur the edges which it did. Can tell no tool marks removed. Wanted to see just how well the BB process performed under a harsh case. Did fine.
Piece on right is from a dry walnut 2 day tumbler session. Its getting a shine but is obvious that the middle stage is missing. The media with compound to remove the finer tool marks. As this piece has multiple curved surfaces thinking the walnut shells with impregnated grit is in order.
Going for a three stage process then, I'll be back
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