Vibratory tumble finishing

[Tin Falcon]

there was some discussion on tumble finishing /vibration finishing in the Team Build 8 thread. decided to start some discussion here.

I used a barrel tumbler years ago to clean brass shell casings for reloading and I have seen vibrators used for deburring polymide plastic parts in the factory.

So what are the thoughts on this process for the home engineer. Is this a underused tool or something only useful if making a dozen or more parts at a time.
also how does one select the popper medium. My thought look at the catalog usually a good catalog will help you select what you need. at least for many things.

the media ranges from corn cob to stainless steel ball. so lots of choises.

I expect a harbor freight vibrator would be a good place to start but maybe not.

this place looks like a good resource.

http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/vibratory-finishing-systems/mb-series.htm
tin

 

[cncjunior]

Hi Tin,

I used to work at a place that used vibratory tubs for use on pewter and fiberglass resin parts. They used many different mediums in the tub including adding abrasive powders as well as soap to finish the parts.

As you pointed out there are many questions to ask. One of the most important is what is intended for the parts in terms of painting or not. If painting then the abrasive medium maybe ceramic balls/shapes. If needing a high polish then finishing with corn cob will be needed.

Tub:
There is a limit to the number of parts that can be put in the tub or else they start to bang into each other and can leave unwanted dents in other parts. The number of parts depends on size and weight of parts and vibratory medium. Also, the more weight there is in the tub, including the weight of the medium, the less vibration the motor is capable of generating.

Vibratory Medium:
There is a certain amount of deburring that goes on in the tub. In fact that is what some companies use the vibration process for. Others use it to remove light scale. Corn cob can polish parts nicely though it takes a good number of days to do so all depending on original surface finish.

The surface finish with the medium particularly with ceramic will have a semicircular pattern on it.

Adding soaps and appropriate powders can increase the polish while cleaning the black grime off of the part.

I know I have only touched the surface here in this post and perhaps raised more questions than I have answered but using vibratory processes is a small field of study in its own right.

Daniel

 

[canadianhorsepower]

there was some discussion on tumble finishing /vibration finishing in the Team Build 8 thread. decided to start some discussion here.

I used a barrel tumbler years ago to clean brass shell casings for reloading and I have seen vibrators used for deburring polymide plastic parts in the factory.

So what are the thoughts on this process for the home engineer. Is this a underused tool or something only useful if making a dozen or more parts at a time.
also how does one select the popper medium. My thought look at the catalog usually a good catalog will help you select what you need. at least for many things.

the media ranges from corn cob to stainless steel ball. so lots of choises.

I expect a harbor freight vibrator would be a good place to start but maybe not.

this place looks like a good resource.

http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/vibratory-finishing-systems/mb-series.htm
tin

Tin I do have vibra tumbler and quite happy with it. I purchace two from harbor the small 5lbs and the big 18 lbs. The 5lbs is garbage It says 5 lbs
dont put 5.001 lbs in it the motors burn I whent to 3 before trashing it. I did modify the rod and 5lbs container and I'm using them on the 18lbs base.
I did many testing on aluminium copper steel and my choice stop at 3 agrega
Plastic pebble, silica , and rice. the last one gives better finish then peanut shell and is 1000 time sheeper.
bottom line if on special get one
down fall 18lbs bucket are way to expensive

 

[ConductorX]

I had one from Eastwood, the biggest one they offer. I used it with Walnut Shells and it did a great job of making small parts look clean and shiny.

"G"

 

[Gatman44]

I have a Lyman Vibro and have polished all shell cases with walnut shells and some Iosso polish in it for about 25 years and it works great.

 

[canadianhorsepower]

I have a Lyman Vibro and have polished all shell cases with walnut shells and some Iosso polish in it for about 25 years and it works great.

I never said that it does not work well
what i said is that rice does a better job
unless you tried it you cant argue it
try it and youll see

 

[Gatman44]

I tried rice and walnut shells work better for me.

 

[canadianhorsepower]

I tried rice and walnut shells work better for me.

could be all depend what your expecting as for the agraga people can choose whatever it's their business
as for My evaluation of the small tumbler it is still junk
I even use a 5 lbs bowl has a parts washer

cheers