Stone washing technique?

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
Assume I understand nothing about this topic (I do, I think, but). How do I make a home made tumbler, and what materials do I use? Small stones? some other material? I looking to get that grey uniform look you see on some folders.
 
I use the Harbour freight large vibratory tumbler and their ceramic media. It works quite well and doesn't break the bank. Your really want to blast the blade first to get that gray look you are going for.
I simply spray a bit of windex in the tumbler for cleaning and lubrication when tumbling.
 
I use the exact same setup as Ben, only difference is that I use wd40 in there. Might try windex now though :) Also don't forget that to get that gray look you'll need to etch your blade in a ferric chloride solution. Many people use different ratios. I use a 4:1 ratio, 4 parts water 1 part ferric chloride. The more ferric chloride to water the faster it will etch. In my opinion you want it pretty dark coming out of the etch because the tumbling will lighten it a good bit

Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk
 
You only need acid or blue, if you want a blackened blade. That's called acid wash. Stone wash is gray, you blast then tumble.
 
All I did was make a foot long capsule made of 2" PVC pipe with a cap on one end and a threaded cap on the other. I filled it a little less than half full of small gravel and threw in three or four larger stones. Spray a ton of WD-40 in it and kick it around on the ground for a while. I like the finish and it can be varied by throwing in different sized rocks of varying quantities. I suppose you could throw a shaft on the end and spin it on your drill or something if you're lazy ;)
 
I've done this before, my motor shaft is threaded for M8 bolts so I got a piece of PVC tubing and two end caps, glue one end cap in place with epoxy or something then use a M8 bolt and bolt the PVC pipe to the shaft of the motor (to make it more secure you might want to drill through the head of the bolt and put a small pin stock through it and through the PVC as well to help it prevent not spinning,) and tape the other end shut with a cap. Just make sure to spin the motor the opposite way of the unthreading also slow as possible. Then place a set of skate wheels to support the PVC pipe and make sure to level it so it will spin evenly.
 
xXBackyardCrafterXx said:
All I did was make a foot long capsule made of 2" PVC pipe with a cap on one end and a threaded cap on the other. I filled it a little less than half full of small gravel and threw in three or four larger stones. Spray a ton of WD-40 in it and kick it around on the ground for a while. I like the finish and it can be varied by throwing in different sized rocks of varying quantities. I suppose you could throw a shaft on the end and spin it on your drill or something if you're lazy ;)
Click to expand...

redbate said:
I've done this before, my motor shaft is threaded for M8 bolts so I got a piece of PVC tubing and two end caps, glue one end cap in place with epoxy or something then use a M8 bolt and bolt the PVC pipe to the shaft of the motor (to make it more secure you might want to drill through the head of the bolt and put a small pin stock through it and through the PVC as well to help it prevent not spinning,) and tape the other end shut with a cap. Just make sure to spin the motor the opposite way of the unthreading also slow as possible. Then place a set of skate wheels to support the PVC pipe and make sure to level it so it will spin evenly.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, those are good ideas.
 
I made my tumbler frame 18 inches long and 8 inches wide with 2 9/16" ID pillar bearings on each end, I run 9/16 cold roll with hydraulic hose covering it for bite through the bearings attach a motor to the side with a step pulley and you are ready to go. I use 4 inch pvc for tumbling my knives and 6 inch pvc I use for my reloading brass, I killed 2 birds with one stone so to speak. This is a rolling tumbler instead of vibrating, I like the length because you can tumble a long Bowie if you want to. Good luck David.
 
I wan't to try making something like this for my grinder.

[video=youtube;Joik0MOEZQw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joik0MOEZQw[/video]
 
Pretty much what was stated above but if you just want to get your feet wet...

Ferric chloride first. For the "tumbler" I use an old ice-melt container. It has a handle, a large mouth and fairly thick plastic. I had to eventually tape the corners with Gorilla tape. Add ceramic triangles from HF and WD-40. Shake it all directions for 5-10 minutes. A lot of the times I redip in FeCl and shake again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top