Make a vibrating tumbler...

[amecks]

...proceed at your own risk - as regards to raiding the kitchen for parts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGT20ghWMZA

[papadan]

My neighbor has some kitty liter so I can make one just like that. Just wonder what brand scissors he used to cut the sheet metal and screws, kind of resembled 1947 Plumb.

[Lostmind]

My neighbor has some kitty liter so I can make one just like that. Just wonder what brand scissors he used to cut the sheet metal and screws, kind of resembled 1947 Plumb.

I wouldn't try the used stuff like he scooped around

[papadan]

My neighbor has some kitty liter so I can make one just like that. Just wonder what brand scissors he used to cut the sheet metal and screws, kind of resembled 1947 Plumb.

I wouldn't try the used stuff like he scooped around

But that's what breaks up the rust, pee in your tool box and see if it don't work! ;-()

[Jim C.]

I'm not so sure about the results the YouTube guy got.  I have a small vibratory tumbler that I got from Harbor Freight.  I watched that particular video prior to discovering this thread. So, I filled the tub of my tumbler with new cat litter, threw in a few rusted fasteners that were similarly corroded like those used by the YouTube guy.  Two hours later, the fasteners weren't even close to being that clean.  I threw them in for another hour.  Again, not even close.  I think the YouTube guy may have snuck those parts into a bead blaster at some point and then threw them back into his homemade tumbler.  They're too pristine in my opinion.  The parts look like they were glass bead blasted.

Jim C. (Who is skeptical)

[mikeswrenches]

The best use I found for cat litter was as an oil absorbent. A lot of it is a clay base which is what oil dry is made of. If you don't need a 50 lb. bag, a plastic bucket of cat litter is a good choice. And you can get it at the grocery store.

I can't see how it's going to do much to clean rusty tools since it isn't very abrasive and breaks down relatively easily.  It might work if all you wanted to do was polish something that was already clean.

I wonder what Lou uses for a media, he uses a tumbler quite a bit?

Mike

[Lewill2]

I saw a post on FB that a guy put a 5 gallon bucket in a home style cement mixer and used that as his tumbler. He called it his red-neck tumbler, whatever works I guess.

[lptools]

Hello, Mike . Thanks for bringing this up. Here  is a quote from a previous post;

Hello, oldgoaly. I use the ceramic media in an 18 lb. tumbler, with a 50/50 mix of water and Simple Green ( 8 ounces of each). This has been the most successful for rust removal, and deep cleaning. The stones do get caught in things like the collets, but the stones are easily removed. I didn't like the sand either because of the dust, and unless the tools are de-greased before going in, the sand/grease combo sticks to the tools like glue!! Once removed from the tumbler, the tools are immediately rinsed, wiped dry, and into the WD-40 pan!! Regards, Lou
[/quote]

[mikeswrenches]

Thanks Lou! That makes a whole lot more sense than kitty litter. I see that stuff as being a dusty mess with a bunch of tools banging around in there for hours.

Mike

[jdjax]

I reload my ammo so I bought a small rock tumbler to clean the brass cases, when I researched for a good media to use I found that several people were using tiny stainless steel pins that measure .047"x .255" so I bought a small bag and found that they work great for my brass, they worked fast too.

I have a nice practically new tap and die set except that they were very rusty so in the tumbler they went, they look and work great now.  The price is high but for brass they will last forever unless I lose them but for the time it saves tumbling it is well worth it to me for cleaning iron and they should last a long time. I only use these pins now.

Here is a link about using them for brass cases.     https://gunloading.com/stainless-steel-media-tumbling/

[lptools]

I finally gave in and watched the video that Al posted. I'm sure you guys realize that the guy ( not Al) is just kidding around!!!. Did you notice the tracing of the perfect looking circle around a ridged pan? The cap is on the marker in the video!!  I looked at the guy's webpage and here is a quote;


Motorcycle customization projects , tool reviews,  shop tips  and secrets from the experts in fabrication, engineering and design. Founding member- The International Certified Motorcycle Builders Association ICMBA . Video skits and parodies are for entertainment purposes only.

[EVILDR235]

I also reload for several different firearms. I tried several different abrasives with little success. A vibrator made for cleaning brass cases is expensive and I didn't won't to ruin it. Pretty messy also. Dust everywhere. I tried making a tumbler using a BBQ motor with little success. Running it direct drive caused it to overheat in about 20 minutes. I will try it again by gearing it down slightly. the only tools I de-rust anymore are for myself. Any tools I buy to re-sell I de-grease only. I leave it up to their new owner how they want to re-finish them. I was scolded to many times years ago from eBay buyers about how I re-finished a tool. I live in the Pacific Northwest and there is no shortage of antique collectible tools. Me and Mrs.Evil are both retired and don't have as much money as we used to, so I am pretty picky when I buy stuff.

EvilDr235

[Bill Houghton]

The best use I found for cat litter was as an oil absorbent.

Indoor cats and their servants (who sometimes think of themselves as the cat's "owner," how silly) would argue that there's a better use.

But, yes, NON-clumping cat litter is a great oil absorbent.  And, for oil spills on concrete (say, your driveway or garage floor), pouring some mineral spirits on the oil spill, scrubbing around with a wire brush, and then spreading the cat litter will do an even better job.

Clumping cat litter doesn't work as well.  Fortunately, the non-clumping kind is cheaper.