Best Parts Tumbler Medium to use.

[OCNORB]

I am about to confiscate my daughters rock tumbler to try and clean up some small parts that have become slightly rusty and have the odd paint overspray all over them. I have heard that walnut shells would be good, but I have no idea where to buy it. (No, I am not gonna eat that many walnuts!) Also considering using small screws. Any opinions or suggestions???

[frankenfab]

http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/search/searchresultsmain.jsp?fresh=1&searchType=advanced&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&attribute14=0&attribute15=0&attribute16=0&RS=1&keyword=tumbler

[MC]

you may want to use small stainless steel capsules for heavy removal

[u2slow]

you may want to use small stainless steel capsules for heavy removal

That was the medium used at the shop I once worked at.

The machine itself may have been homemade... Essentially a large aerated ammo can that spun eccentrically on a crankshaft inside a tank partially full of cleaning solvent. You put your parts inside the ammo can with the stainless capsules.

If you weren't careful, after a while you would find yourself moving & working to the rhythm of the machine. :p

[OCNORB]

you may want to use small stainless steel capsules for heavy removal



Where would a guy buy those???????

[ZJim]

Maybe a hand full of BBs?

[Toploader]

I know this sounds stupid, but try Sawdust. I had a 5 gal bucket full of really rusted hardware. Put them in the tumbler overnight and they came out like brand new.
I couldnt beleive how good it worked. Plus all the local woodworking shops let you take it for free.

[Dangling_Dave]

Find a reloading store near you. Lyman has walnut and coated walnut media.

dc

[JeepinDoug]

Some of the stuff posted here is really fine. Sawdust and walnut shells are good for polishing soft materials, brass, copper and maybe aluminum.
Sand will do some heavier work for cutting oxidation. Aluminum oxide cuts really fast. The trick is to use a small amount of liquid soap, one drop for a small rock tumbler, this keeps the media clean and cutting.
Unfortunately the small rock tumblers take forever to really cut. If you have a machine shop near by stop and ask for some used media, all shops have used media that just doesn't fill thier needs any more.