Tumbler question

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

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How long do you guys generally run blades in a tumbler?
 
Try contacting BR.T. I think he posted some 'how to' info about tumbling a while back.

Tim
 
It depends on the finish you start with, the material you're tumbling, your media, and the finish you want. It can be 1/2 hr or it can be days.

Here at AIM we run a small industrial unit and aggressive media. The blades are usually stuff like D2 and the super steels and the starting finish is fine milled (similar to 320 grit) and we tumble for about 8 hours.

O1 with a good starting finish might take an hour, and CPM154 four times that.
 
I have been curious about this as well. I have asked around. Most of what I have heard is 10-30 minutes...
 
Brian Avila said:
I have been curious about this as well. I have asked around. Most of what I have heard is 10-30 minutes...
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^ to apply a tumbled finish, yes. To clean up and remove tool/grinding marks, I think requires more time.

...that said, our tumbler here isn't especially powerful.
 
I run a rotary 5-gallon bucket tumbler. I use it to erase 120 grit grind marks before heat-treat. That takes 4 hours. The post-HT session is at least 2 hours.
 
Will tumbling work for stainless as well? I have a small tumbler that I use for reloading, and I wanted to try and get a matte tumbled finish, basically take out fine scratches, etc.

If so, what media should I use?
 
This is the media I use 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 tumble anywhere from 5 - 30 minutes depending on the look I want.
 
I have been told go up to a good 400 grit and tumble for 15-20 gets rid of grind marks with the big 18lb vibe bowl and medium media from harbor freight.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Are you removing grind marks in 15 minutes? What are you running?
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No, just a quick tumble on a nicely finished (at least 400 grit) blade for a stonewashed finish. I'm garnet blasting first to get the finish I like, also the quick tumble seems to burnish the blade and blast texture down. Looks nice and helps scratches from use blend in better.

I'd like to get into mass finishing my blades though, sounds like a nice way to go.

I'm using ceramic media from www.monsterslayer.com (they are local to me) it seems like pretty standard material and works well. I tried green pyramids also in hopes of deburring Ti parts but my tiny Harbour Freight tumbler doesn't seem to finish anything in that manner.
 
I go to finish with 45x gator belt then etch in FC for about 3 minutes then into the tumbler for about 3 minutes to get this finish. All are 1084.







 
Please tell me you guys are making the Fiddleback folder...

Nah, you always seem super busy with what you already have on your plate :) Carry on Andy.
 
night man said:
I go to finish with 45x gator belt then etch in FC for about 3 minutes then into the tumbler for about 3 minutes to get this finish. All are 1084.







Click to expand...

Cool mark. Ambush?

I've actually been looking into similar symbols for my mark. Not the "ambush" one specifically but other battlefield/navigation symbols.
 
Man, thanks guys. This was super helpful!



Omega Leather Works said:
Please tell me you guys are making the Fiddleback folder...

Nah, you always seem super busy with what you already have on your plate :) Carry on Andy.
Click to expand...

I have a folder prototype I made with Paul Brach. Paul is a maker friend here in town that is a mentor of mine and a helluva lot better knifemaker. I hate the thing. I don't like the process, and I have never gotten around to shaping the scales even though its been sitting around more than a year. Most of my hesitation is just business plan wise. I know the steps for a fixed blade and can plan time, employees time, and even the costs fluidly in my head. Its a new ballgame with folders. I'd have to dedicate the time to learn the skills (I don't have a mill yet either...), practice them until I can make a folder that works well and looks professional, and finally be comfortable enough to plan it into our processes. I've just not had the motovation to do One yet. PLus, this prototype is a liner lock, and I am a slippie guy at heart. I want to go down to Florida and learn the skill from Calvin Robertson. He even offered the opportunity, but I haven't been able. The company only has only just gotten going well enough for me to take any time off. Thanksgiving was my first paid holiday since I started working for myself. Right now our lease is up and we need a MUCH bigger space with MUCH more electricity. Gotta find that by January. When that is over my focus will be on Blade SHow and the Guild show. (Pray for me to pass the inspection!) Then maybe I can take a breath and learn folders. Right now though, its not even on my mind.
 
Fiddleback said:
Man, thanks guys. This was super helpful!





I have a folder prototype I made with Paul Brach. Paul is a maker friend here in town that is a mentor of mine and a helluva lot better knifemaker. I hate the thing. I don't like the process, and I have never gotten around to shaping the scales even though its been sitting around more than a year. Most of my hesitation is just business plan wise. I know the steps for a fixed blade and can plan time, employees time, and even the costs fluidly in my head. Its a new ballgame with folders. I'd have to dedicate the time to learn the skills (I don't have a mill yet either...), practice them until I can make a folder that works well and looks professional, and finally be comfortable enough to plan it into our processes. I've just not had the motovation to do One yet. PLus, this prototype is a liner lock, and I am a slippie guy at heart. I want to go down to Florida and learn the skill from Calvin Robertson. He even offered the opportunity, but I haven't been able. The company only has only just gotten going well enough for me to take any time off. Thanksgiving was my first paid holiday since I started working for myself. Right now our lease is up and we need a MUCH bigger space with MUCH more electricity. Gotta find that by January. When that is over my focus will be on Blade SHow and the Guild show. (Pray for me to pass the inspection!) Then maybe I can take a breath and learn folders. Right now though, its not even on my mind.
Click to expand...

Andy,
The offer is still open even though you misspelled my name.:)
 
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