[TheForge] Cleaning components

[Larry Ruebush]

Try starting off with a old hot water heater tank or a old water pressure 
tank.
Larry Ruebush
west central IL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy and James" <jallcorn at suddenlink.net>
To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 8:31 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Cleaning components


>I have a bunch of component parts (small and a bunch of them 3-4 feet long) 
>for a project that need cleaning, deburring, etc.  My current method is to 
>chuck them up in the vise, 1 by 1, wire brush, etc., etc., etc.
>
> I got the idea from a conference to build a tumbler.  Just dump all the 
> stuff in along with ball bearings for media and turn it on.  Probably 
> overnight would do the trick.
>
> Question for the group... Have any of you used/built a tumbler for this 
> process?  If so, what size was it?  How did you power it?  How well did it 
> work and was it worth the effort?  What approx. RPM did you run it.
>
> My thoughts on building one is to buy a piece of 24 to 30 inch diameter 
> pipe, weld plate to the ends, weld trailer or auto axle stubs in the 
> center of the plate and use the running gear portion (bearings, etc), to 
> support the whole thing welded to a framework of some sort.  Put a pulley 
> on it and a motor and away you go.
>
> Another idea, a little more challenging (for me) would be to mount it on 2 
> auto differentials with wheels and tires, mounted parallel, they would 
> support the rig and permit turning, either by powering the gearbox or with 
> a pulley direct to the tumbler.
>
> Right now, I like method 1 better.  Seems simpler, quicker, easier, 
> smaller footprint.
>
> My scrap yard has a 16 or 20 foot stick of 20" for about $10 a foot.  I'd 
> use about 5 or 6 feet, keep the rest for BBQ smokers/pits.  They also have 
> a 5' piece of 29" for about $14/ft.  Both are around 5/8 to 3/4 wall pipe, 
> I didn't measure, just looked.  Either one would be pretty heavy and 
> require a pretty good motor to start it going.
>
> Probably pretty noisy.
>
> I've thought about getting an old clothes dryer to use for small stuff 
> till I get this thing built.  It would also tell me if it would work, and 
> how well.
>
> Ideas, comments?
>
> James Allcorn
> Bois D'Arc Forge Blacksmith Shop
> Paris, TX
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