tumbled finish...what kind of tumbler

sunny_2_75

sunny_2_75

Joined
Nov 23, 2009
Messages
71
Hey Forum, I was talking about this the other day in a question I had earlier on the forum. So after being told how...of course I want to try it!!!! So those that sand blast and tumble, what kind of tubler are you using for 8-10inch blades? Vibrating or rotory? modles and brands would help. Thanks. Sunny
 
I've seen lots of people use both. For rotary tumbling, if my memory is right, you want a speed right around 100" per minute. Vibratory tumbling, get the biggest one you can afford. Most use a mix of coarse and fine ceramic media.


-Xander
 
Wow those are more expensive than I expected. Cool though, that's going in my gear list, thanks Stacy.
 
For the cost of a good grinder you get a machine that will remove scale, clean a blade post HT, or put on a nice matte finish....all while you do something else.
 
bladsmth said:
For the cost of a good grinder you get a machine that will remove scale, clean a blade post HT, or put on a nice matte finish....all while you do something else.
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I saw the link and originally thought that was expensive. Then I read the above post and it makes perfect sense and seems like a pretty good investment. Especially as far as time is concerned.

That is why this forum is outstanding, always learning. Thanks!
 
Yep, tumblers fall into that "buy quality and cry once" catagory. I have had the same reloading tumbler now for over 10 years and its still going strong. A nice polish can be had using one, try wanut media and flitz polish, tumble for 36-48 hours to start. (NOTE: walnut and corn cob media can be had much cheaper from pet and feed stores, its used as cage litter for birds)


-Xander
 
Yep, me as well. Those are things I didn't consider. It's like being in a candy store, you want one of everything! hehe. Thanks Stacy.
 
Cool machine Stacy, how many do you have setup in your shop? What tumbler have you been using Xander? What do you other guys use?
 
I don't have one of these setup now, but have the parts from one in storage. I have some friends who use one, though.

I have a vibratory 10# unit and a magnetic tumbler in current use.

I gave away about ten tumbler units a few years back when I quit casting. Can't remember if I sent one your way or not.
 
I have an old Lyman branded one, don't know the actual maker of it though. I've heard that the newer cheaper ones have gone downhill, some burning up after just several months.


-Xander
 
I paid about $300 for an almost new 23" bowl Raytech tumbler I found on eBay. Not as nice as what Stacy posted but a very good durable machine.
 
I've seen some good results for a stonewashed blade on smaller blades with just getting some media for it, putting it in a drink cooler, wrapping towels around it and tying them on, then putting it in the dryer with a small load of clothes. Not sure if there's something particularly wrong with that, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than many tumblers.
 
Hey Fellas,

Ever search this forum's thread's titles for tumbler using the advanced search feature? There are lots of great discussions and ideas!

I've heard the wrapped container tumbling in a drier before. Seems plausible to me. How about Bruce Evans' drier tumbler idea in Gixxer's tumbler thread?

Or how about Bruce Tendrik's tumbler using skateboard parts driven with his belt grinder?

Jbblount used a cooler in his shop-made tumbler.

Anyone building vibrator "tumblers"? Sounds like they're more effective.

Sadly Stacy, there was no tumbler among all the other loot you shared with me.
 
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mgysgthath said:
Wow those are more expensive than I expected.
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Yeah... $2,300? :eek: What's shipping going to cost on a bulky machine that weighs 400#?

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say that's absolutely ridiculous for most knifemakers. If post-HT/scale cleanup and getting an even, non-glare finish is your aim, you could farm out 300 blades or more for that kind of money, and get them beadblasted by a pro shop. While you're doing something else and not running up your own electricity bill.

How many knives do you guys actually make in a year? If you're doing 50-100 every month or two, sure that will pay off. As for me, I already have a clothes dryer :p
 
Very true James. IN fact the clothes dryer isn't such a bad idea, except I'd rather not risk it opening up in there.. I'd take the jug outside and just run it with some drive belts and pulleys off a cheapo electric motor.. or better yet windmill power .. or solar panels or something. It won't be as good or as efficient.. but it should work.
For me a tumbler is WAY down on the list of priorities, it's a "maybe someday" item, but it's still nice to know where the good ones are if the need ever arises.
 
For those of you using a good vibrator like this, I remember Nathan the Machinist was using one ???

300dbb.jpg


How are you separating your abrasives from your parts?

I see there is a trap door.
Do you just drain the water, dump it in a pail and rifle through it by hand..

Of do you have some sort of colander screen ?

Long knife blades are probably easier to sort than small parts.


and

what RPM is it?

Do they have any adjustment on them?
Can you control speed, or the counterweight balance?
Would that be useful?


These list a fluid recirculation system.
Is that useful, or can you just fill it and run it ?
 
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