Re: Anyone build their own vibratory tumblers?

I do a lot of aluminum parts so tumbling is a necessity. I built a
tumbler (wet) a couple of years ago. It has 13 cubic foot capacity.
It does a fantastic job on large loads in about 2 hours. Also, you
can ad detergents or other chemicals to change the color. I use star
shaped media. The finish has improved as the media wears.

I coated the inside with Flexane 80 urethane (about 1/2" thick) from
McMaster Carr Supply. It is mixed by weight not volume. To get it
right you must have access to a digital scale. If memory serves me
right it took about $700.00 for the urethane.

The drum is hex shaped (24" x 48") so I could pour one side at a
time. (First time I tried to rotate the drum until the urethane
dried. WRONG!!!!) This stuff is hell to remove!!!!!!

If I were attempting a vibratory tumbler, I would visit the local
bucket and drum supplier. He should have extra heavy duty drums of
all sizes from which you could cut the botttom off for the bowl.

I could send a photo of the rotary if any one is interested.

I've contemplated building a vibratory for small parts, i.e.,
stainless steel. I'll keep watching, may be interested in what you
end up with.

Kind Regards

Dave

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com, ptengin@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 08/31/2000 5:58:11 PM Hawaiian Standard Time,
> janders@n... writes:
>
> << Pete,
>
> Would love to see the pics. I just drew up a decent sized bowl and
did a
> flat layout, emailed the file to a friend's sheetmetal shop for a
laser
> quote. If I can find something to coat the insides with that'll
hold up
> ( and I bet I can ), I might well end up with 4-5 bowls and a home
made
> vibrator base for maybe $400 total. Seein' how I got outbid on
that unit
> on eBay...
>
> If the whole thing works out, I'll make the flat layout and
fabrication
> notes available to anyone that wants them.
>
> Jon
> >>
> Jon,
>
> I'll have to get my camera from the better half. Hopefully, I'll
post
> tomorrow night.
>
> Peter
> THRD, Inc.