Tumbling Parts

[enio45]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a business out west (phx, CA) that can tumble some parts. I know that intakes, trans housings, valve covers etc we normally send to Jerry MacN, but wanted someone closer as shipping across the usa is getting pricey.

Appreciate any thoughts advise?

[mockingbird812]

Put a bunch of sand with your car parts in your dryer and set it on spin dry. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/whistle.gif

[Billohio]

I heard blasting with walnut hulls works. Didn't try it yet. I bought a bolts and nuts sized tumbler off summit and it works but for rust prefer Evaporust. It leaves factory paint marks. I should post a pic of the end of my axles. They had surface rust where wheels bolt on, cleaned it off and there's a big blue inspection mark on them

[enio45]

Sam, that is a great idea - ill head over to your place this weekend and give that a try.

Tell Lori that ill be using the dryer most of the day :-)

[enio45]

Bill for the small stuff in the tumbler you bought - what type of media do u use for this?

[Billohio]

It came with small plastic looking triangle things. Works good. You add a little water to it. It makes this nasty looking foam you rinse off but does clean well.

[firstgenaddict]

Find an Aluminum foundry, that is who I use as there is one locally. My father had some seat feet for his 1940 Ford Woodie cast from Aluminum and after seeing them I knew how &quot;reskinning&quot; was being done.
They use a vibratory tumbler with steel shot to remove the green sand from the castings, it gives the correct sheen.
This is how it was done at Winters.
Second best is to get some steel shot put your part in a box, fill it with steel shot and ride around with it in your car for a month.

[68l30]

I have a few pics of the industrial equipment and the media I use daily. I'll post them later this evening.


BIG

[68l30]

Here is some pics of what I use. It's not the typical home use barrel tumbler. Much more to it and more rotation to the tumble. The parts corkscrew around clockwise in a circular motion while the media does the same. Most of the parts are finished in 1 hour. I run alloy's a bit longer. The media can play hell, getting stuck inside parts esp. the smaller pieces of media that have broken down. The Harrell style clamps (304 sst.)I made for Bill went thru after a glass bead to get a killer finish.


BIG

[Alss]

sweet!

[firstgenaddict]

Eddie,
If you are trying to replicate diecast (valve covers) appearance it is different than the pour castings.

Here is the original thread I posted... 8 years ago WOW time flies!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/127121/Aluminum_Finish#Post127121

But here are what the aluminum parts look like after having the green sand removed using steel shot at the foundry.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/12/full-254-8452-140812_pict1122.jpg