vibrating tumbler

C

'cacci

Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
51
Has anyone used a vibrating tumbler to remove scale after taking a blade from the furnace and tempering oven? I wonder whether this process would wash sharp grind intersections too much. I wrap before cooking, but, of course, scale develops.
 
I use a tumbler to remove HT scale from small decorative flint strikers. It gives it a nice even stone wash finish without dulling the edges too bad. Actual tumblers are very expensive. I'm using a $300 cement mixer from Home Depot with some abrasive media I picked up at Granger Industrial supply.
 
Tumblers are going to wash out fine details and round edges and corners. They are good for blacksmiths and projects where a satin finish is wanted ... but not really suitable for most knife blade tasks. I don't think vibratory would work as well as rotary does for blades, either.
 
I've read where you can put the blank in a large plastic condiments jar with ceramic tiles from H.F. . they then added a a mild etching solution and put into the drier with some towels and tumbied . looked good but you definitely lose a lot of detail.
 
I'm also in the market for a relatively inexpensive tumbler to stonewash my multi tools I make as well as (hopefully) removing the colored scale that comes on my blades after heat/cryo treat. I do a lot of acid stonewashing so the fine detail isn't too important on most models. I'd take some suggestions. I've looked at the HF models but the reviews say the bowls wear quickly and I'm not sure what size to get if my tools are 5-8" oal
 
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