Tumbler Recommendations?

[SamaraVolk]

Hey all,

I can fund another piece of shop equipment so of course I (us) research the heck out of it. Does anyone have a media tumbler they can recommend? I'm looking at Burr King (expensive), Eastwood, and MJR. Thank you

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Mr. Deburr.

 

[SamaraVolk]

Mr. Deburr.

Thanks but that's way out of my price range

 

[Mossyhorn]

The best one that I've owned was made by Raytech. I preferred it over Burr King.

 

[SamaraVolk]

The best one that I've owned was made by Raytech. I preferred it over Burr King.

Which mod/size? Thanks

 

[Mossyhorn]

I'm pretty sure that this is the model that I had. I bought in second hand from a guy who had a small machine shop.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/09117045

 

[SamaraVolk]

I'm pretty sure that this is the model that I had. I bought in second hand from a guy who had a small machine shop.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/09117045

Thanks. It looks big enough for blades?

 

[Lieblad]

Do you want vibratory or rotary tumbler ?
Anyway, implying strapped for cash means one should just build it.
I built several over the years. Mostly for fun as I could just as easily bought a truckload.
A recycled treadmill and a knifemakers worth of minor ingenuity is tried & true a great source of tumbler parts.

 

[Randy3000]

Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler. It is less than $40. I use the hell out of mine, works great. The bowl is 10" across, and has a center rod. So maybe 9" blade max.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Thanks but that's way out of my price range

Look around on Craig’s List & Ebay for something used in your area ...

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I bought a large vibratory tumbler from Harbor Freight years ago.

No issues, although I don't use it very often.

 

[SamaraVolk]

Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler. It is less than $40. I use the hell out of mine, works great. The bowl is 10" across, and has a center rod. So maybe 9" blade max.

What model do you have? What size blade fits in it? Thanks

 

[SamaraVolk]

What model do you have? What size blade fits in it? Thanks

Disregard last. I see the 9 " blade fit. Thanks

 

[P.Brewster]

Disregard last. I see the 9 " blade fit. Thanks

On vibratory tumblers, the diameter of the bowl should be 2-3x the length of your part for optimal results, as per manufacturer's recommendations.

 

[SamaraVolk]

On vibratory tumblers, the diameter of the bowl should be 2-3x the length of your part for optimal results, as per manufacturer's recommendations.

Thank you

 

[REK Knives]

With a small tumbler like many of those listed you can get a working finish on a blade but without a larger tumbler you will not be able to get a regular polished stonewash like many production knives have just fyi. Smaller tumblers do not have the energy to do this. I'm wanting to save for a mr deburr for this reason.

 

[SamaraVolk]

With a small tumbler like many of those listed you can get a working finish on a blade but without a larger tumbler you will not be able to get a regular polished stonewash like many production knives have just fyi. Smaller tumblers do not have the energy to do this. I'm wanting to save for a mr deburr for this reason.

Thank you

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Mr. Deburr would be ideal but I've been using a large http://www.thumlerstumbler.com/industrial.html for years and with the proper media (expensive) it does a good job on parts up to a small fixed blade or large folder blade.