Vibrators

[MoltenVoltage]

I ordered a bunch of stainless steel washers expecting them to be shiny, but they aren't.

So yesterday I picked up a "vibratory tumbler" like this, except the smaller 4 lb. version:
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html

I also got a 5 pound bag of walnut shells.  I put the washers in along with an aluminum 1590BB enclosure and let it run for 2.5 hours and nothing looked at all different.

Has anybody used these successfully?

I was thinking of trying steel BBs next.  Bad idea?

They also sell these plastic bits as well as ground glass to use in these, but I don't really want to breathe plastic dust or silica.

- William

[Jazznoise]

I can't advise using a vibrator that big, but it's your body man. 

[R.G.]

Stainless steel work-hardens - FAST.  You won't polish it with plastic nubs. Glass beads will work. So will silicon carbide or alumina medium. Steel shot is not hard enough for any serious polishing on SS.

Vibratory tumblers are run with water in them to cool and lubricate the parts, as well as to capture the dust. Go with something harder as an abrasive, or turn them in a rotary tumbler that uses the parts themselves as the abrasive. Use water in the tumbler to capture the dust.

Tumblers are an abrasive process. The abrasive has to be suitable for cutting. If you just want polishing, use fine abrasive powder and water.

[bean]

This thread is emblematic of the DIY fetish--washers are dull; buy $50 tool to shine them up rather than buying different washers. I can totally relate. Extra points for ScarJo!

[slacker]

I wish I could help, but every time I try and read the OPs post, I get to the picture of Scarlett and completely forget everything I just read, I've been stuck here for hours.

[earthtonesaudio]

I'm sure R.G. buried a joke in his reply somewhere but I'm just not clever enough to fully understand it. 


Will re-read.

[MoltenVoltage]

Well I let the washers virbate with each other and BBs for about 5 hours and if anything they look worse.

Sorry to say I am going to return my 4 pound vibrator.



Thanks to RJ and Brian.

[Jdansti]

If you just want shiny washers, try a felt polisher on a Dremel tool with polishing compound.

The other thing you can do is tape some very fine sandpaper to your bench and slide the washer back and forth. Wear leather gloves to avoid damaging your finger tips.

If you have a beauty supply store in your town, look in the manicure section for foam polishing blocks of all different grit numbers. Very cheap and they work better than anything I've bought in a hardware store.

If you're concerned about breathing in sanding dust, do it outdoors and stand upwind of the work. You can also use a fan outdoors to blow the dust away from you.  Alternately, if you have a shop vac, secure the suction hose next to your work.

For more ideas, lookup how fishermen polish the drag washers in their reels.

[markeebee]

I have given myself a nosebleed by by imagining Scarlett polishing her washers. And I don't even know what it means.

[bluebunny]

I have given myself a nosebleed by by imagining Scarlett polishing her washers.

Were you buffing up your nuts at the time?   

Getting coat now...

[Jdansti]

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blself-repair.htm

[bluebunny]

Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Ouch.