What are your thoughts on this VIBRATING METAL POLISHER?

[Badger]

Here's the info found on eBay...

18lb VIBRATING METAL POLISHER Thumlers Tumbler UV-18


You are bidding on a fantastic, BRAND NEW IN THE BOX , heavy duty 18 lb. Capacity THUMLERS Ultra-Vibe Vibratory METAL POLISHER. (Model No.180, UV-18 ) That's right this tumbler will hold up to 18lbs of metals at a time for you to polish. This tumbler is great for polishing most metals to a nice shinny finish. It's works very well for shell casings, coins, fishing lures, jewelry, brass, silver and lots more. (not recomended for rocks)

It is a super strong heavy duty, professional quality vibrating tumbler. This features a continuous duty, large 1/30hp motor with overload protection. It has a removable Heavy Polyethylene Bowl that measures 8 3/8 inches by 4 3/8 inches with Lid and Vibrates at 3000 VPM. The Mass creates a cyclonic effect, moves around the bowl and down into the center. The base is all metal, not a plastic toy type like other companies make. Extensively used by serious hobbyists, laboratories, and schools for an unlimited variety of tumbling and mixing operations. This tumbler will last you a long time as Thumlers Tumblers are considered the best in the business.

[Badger]

I've been struggling with trying to polish some emblems that I've made to a perfect mirror finish. Having done some research on here, I think that the finish I've been getting on this soft aluminum emblem is probably the best I can get. Here's a sample:



Someone pointed the product above as a possible solution and wondered if anyone has any input or experience using a vibrating metal polisher? Sounds too good to be true, and the thought of being able to get something to a decent point to throw into something like this is very tempting.

Any thoughts?

[destroyer125]

I cannot get a mirror reflective finish from vibe tumbling, but the polish I get for anodizing is fine. I have a 35lbs capacity 1/2CuFt for finishing large amounts of small parts with a flow thru added in.

Your best bet is to get some corn cob and treat it with chromium oxide green powder yourself, then add in turbo brite tumbling paste and let them go for about 3 days, this will yeild a very nice result.

[lcaswell]

It's not their Industrial model, just the hobbyist model, so be careful if you plan on using it a lot. It also looks dusty and used in the picture.

We sell their industrial model at http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/...y_tumblers.htm

[quadracer2cool4u]

destroyer125,
Will a tumbler smooth out a sandblasted finish enough to polish it with out having to use a air sander? I need it for atv engine covers, brake calipers....
Thanks alot!!!

[destroyer125]

Sure, with a big enough tumbler, the correct media, and a couple days of tumbling.

[quadracer2cool4u]

The one that Badger gave the link for, do you think thats big enough? What media do you recomend for a sandblasted finish?
Thanks

[Badger]

Originally Posted by lcaswell

It's not their Industrial model, just the hobbyist model, so be careful if you plan on using it a lot. It also looks dusty and used in the picture.

We sell their industrial model at http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/...y_tumblers.htm

Wow! Thanks for the heads up, I didn't even think to look here for that!

Does anyone know where I can find examples of polished aluminum parts done this way? I can't help thinking that this solution is too good to be true- it sure would save me a lot of aggravation to be able to "cheat" with one of these!

[mpodesta]

I wouldnt call them to good to be true......Yeah, you can yield the results you want with one....but you can also mess up your stuff with one.


I been running large vibes and tumblers for jewelry finishing for years. For small ALU parts, I use crushed walnut shells for cutdown (this stuff by nomeans is considered a heavy cutdown media but in the tank for a few days it will remove light scratches from alu)

For a bright polish I use corncob/sawdust mix with polishing paste..........FYI this makes a big mess^^


If you are wanting to polish solid ALU parts, Not sheet or parts with thin iteams on it, You can use a small sized steel shot, the shape I use looks like a ball with a ring around it (looks like a planet). Keep the shot clean because if the shot is dirty, your pieces will be.