bolt tumbler

[silvermonte]

Hello, Im looking to purchase a tumbler to clean up about a million of the little c-clamps that hold together fenders and all the bolts that go in them. Does anyone have any suggestions? From a quick search it seems eastwood is the to go, but most of the threads are a few years old and was wondering if anyone had any new input.

[1truckguy78]

Doesn't summit racing have one?

[bmbrzmn101]

you can use a tumbler like we reloaders use. Go to midway usa and search for tumblers and media.

[derekf]

I just recently read this article http://hackaday.com/2014/01/14/refur...a-dryer-motor/ on an Eastwood tumbler that didn't last worth a dang (obviously that's just one instance, they may all be great except that one).

Reckon Chris may have the right idea with the reloader tumbers.

[silvermonte]

The reloader tumbler is the type Im looking at. Im going to have to figure out what medium will get in the threads of a bolt.

[SSLance]

I love our bead blast cabinet that we have at work. I put all of my fasteners that need cleaning in a basket and use the bead blaster on them. They clean up great and in short order as well. If I lost access to that cabinet I'd pick up one of the smaller ones for my home shop. Best part of it is you can use it for other parts as well.

[David Pozzi]

I loaned my reload vibrating tumbler to a buddy to clean up bolts. He ran it a LOT & he wasn't satisfied with the results. He used walnut shell media. I doubt it would clean threads much.

[Cdog]

I have two of the large Dillon set ups for my reloading brass prep. I use them exclusively to clean brass. My guess is you would need a more agressive media to tumble than the plastic tub can handle. For rusty car stuff I use a HFT blast cabinet with the glass bead media. It does a good job. Just make sure to RTV the hell out of every joint while you put it together.

The new shizzle in tumbling is wet tumbling with steel pin media. This might work out well but you’ll need to use a cleaner liquid that won’t corrode your bolts. Use a degreaser with the steel pins.
http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com


Some reloading porn.

[bmbrzmn101]

Cdog,
I love both my dillon tumbler and my stainless steel tumbler. But I would not use the stainless tumbler except on smallish bolts in small lots due to size of the hopper. A cheap but large dry tumbler with an aggressive media(at the minimum walnut shells) would work for most parts. I would presoak in a strong detergent or degreaser, dry, then tumble. Paint and then make the wife mad and use the oven to bake the paint on the parts. Ask me how I know the wife gets mad...



Chris

[Thephranc]

I have the 18 LB vibrator with 1/4 green medium from Harbor Freight that has served me well but like all things from that place your mileage may very.

[Cdog]

Cdog,
I love both my dillon tumbler and my stainless steel tumbler. But I would not use the stainless tumbler except on smallish bolts in small lots due to size of the hopper. A cheap but large dry tumbler with an aggressive media(at the minimum walnut shells) would work for most parts. I would presoak in a strong detergent or degreaser, dry, then tumble. Paint and then make the wife mad and use the oven to bake the paint on the parts. Ask me how I know the wife gets mad...

Chris

Good to know. I meant say the SS tumbler would work best on rusty bolts but I wrote the response during my first cup of coffee. LOL!

On a side note. For real caked on gunk I use a bench grinder wire wheel then use the media blast. They look new when done.

[silvermonte]

So I ended up getting this dillion tumbler. https://www.dillonprecision.com/#/co...y_Case_Cleaner I thought about getting the 12 quart one but I really dont think I need one that large. I also got walnut media with it so Ill give it a try when it gets here.

[bmbrzmn101]

I have the older version of that one from dillon. About 19 years old and still going strong. For nuts and bolts and a few asst. small brackets it will be great. The walnut media id=s aggresive for brass cases and corncob media is for fine polish. You might can find more agrresive media at graingers or MSC or that type of supplier if the walnut media doesn't do the job.

Chris