stonewash with vibratory tumbler?

hickman1

hickman1

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
329
Guys, anyone here that reloads ammo too? I ask because I have been thinking about trying out an idea I had. Simply, take the tumber normally used to clean our fired brass, replace the polishing media with 80grit Black Diamond sand blasting media and drop in a blade or 2. I have polished a frame in this tumbler before with decent results, and was thinking that this might work pretty good. I have the sandblast media and tumbler, just need to decide which knife to do.

Anyone ever tried this and with what results? If I get the chance, I might try it this weekend, unless someone has had negative experiences doing this.
 
I use ceramic media in a vibratory tumbler to stonewash my knives.

Not sure if black diamond will work, as there isn't much mass.
 
Hmm, might have to load it up with pea-gravel from the driveway then, sand and all! lol.
Seriously, I may try the Black Diamond out on one of my work knives, most likely my plain blade Leek or Tenacious and see what results I get, if the results aren't that great, I'll move to pea gravel and some sand. I'm staying away from the larger stones in my tumbler for now, as I don't want to screw it up for it's intended use.

Got a source for the ceramic media you are using sir?

Mitchell Knives said:
I use ceramic media in a vibratory tumbler to stonewash my knives.

Not sure if black diamond will work, as there isn't much mass.
Click to expand...
 
Update:

well, after 30 minutes with just Black Diamond, I saw no difference, so I added 2 red solo cups of pea gravel to the mix and a bit of lubricant, I noticed that my tumbler slowed way down, so I'm just going to let it run for a while and see what happens. I think there may be too much blast media to the amount of pea gravel this time around, I'll know more later on.

And if I catch the SOB that stole my 4 1/2" Milwaukee angle grinder while I was gone to work, I'm gonna cram it where the sun don't shine and turn it on...
 
Last edited:
1930...

7 hours later, still no change, everything is clean, but no alteration to the bead blast finish...

Call this attempt a fail. Black Diamond sandblast media and pea gravel in a tumbler do not work to stonewash knives.

Tomorrow, straight pea gravel in the tumbler.

Stay tuned!
 
ahh, to hell with it, plain blade SS leek (disassembled) and composite (blade only) are in the tumbler with a double handful of pea gravel, we'll see what happens in an hour, if no change, they are going to go for the night.
 
Thanks Bill, AM update

10 hours in the tumbler with pea gravel restored a bead blasted appearance to the frame and blades,most light to medium scratches have been removed as well as the etching, for the most part. Recommendation- stick with the proven stonewashing techniques posted elsewhere, or get different media if you wish to use a vibratory tumbler. Perhaps try the larger stones as done with the "Dryer Stonewashing" or ceramic media as posted by Mitchell Knives.
 
I actually use this media from McMaster Carr:

4918A911 CERAMIC MEDIA, COARSE, V-CYLINDER, 1/2" X 1/2", 10 LB PACKAGE
4918A918 CERAMIC MEDIA, COARSE, TRIANGULAR 22 DEG, 5/16"X7/8", 10 LB

I have the large tumbler from Harbor Freight, which will hold about 20lbs of media.

If you plan on tumbing blades, you need to finish them to at least 400 grit.

I then apply a heavy bead blast finish to the blades, and put them in the tumber for 2 - 4 hours.
 
Thanks John, that may help someone in the future to know that the tumblers will work with the correct media.

Any chance of a picture of one of you stonewashed blades?
 
Sure thing.

Tumbled%2520Drone.JPG



hickman1 said:
Thanks John, that may help someone in the future to know that the tumblers will work with the correct media.

Any chance of a picture of one of you stonewashed blades?
Click to expand...
 
Well that answers that, use the right media and you get a great looking stonewash without using the dryer...
 
Necrothread Bump

I found this thread and this message a couple days ago, researching stonewashing, and whether the HB/Chicago Tumbler would do the job. Today I was speaking with a well known knife maker friend who independently with no knowledge of this thread and he suggested the exact same. No brainer. Media arrives tomorrow, the tumbler is in the shop waiting.

Thank you John

Mitchell Knives said:
I actually use this media from McMaster Carr:

4918A911 CERAMIC MEDIA, COARSE, V-CYLINDER, 1/2" X 1/2", 10 LB PACKAGE
4918A918 CERAMIC MEDIA, COARSE, TRIANGULAR 22 DEG, 5/16"X7/8", 10 LB

I have the large tumbler from Harbor Freight, which will hold about 20lbs of media.
Click to expand...
 
egrep said:
Necrothread Bump

I found this thread and this message a couple days ago, researching stonewashing, and whether the HB/Chicago Tumbler would do the job. Today I was speaking with a well known knife maker friend who independently with no knowledge of this thread and he suggested the exact same. No brainer. Media arrives tomorrow, the tumbler is in the shop waiting.

Thank you John
Click to expand...


Thanks!

I'm actually still using the same media, so it seems quite durable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top