(Topic ID: 175947)

Tumbler Trick

By cottonm4

7 years ago


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    #1 7 years ago

    After spending a few months with my tumbler and using corn cobb media, I find the job of digging the corn cob media out of Phillips screw cross-hairs and straight-slot screw slots that were getting clogged up to be a general PIA.

    I tried leaving my tumbler empty and then tossed all the screws back in and tumbled them for a couple of minutes to see if this would help avoid a PIA job.

    It is not 100% but it did a good job cleaning the media from most of the screw heads.

    Your mileage may differ, but it is worth you giving it a try.

    #2 7 years ago

    I just use a pick which is pretty quick and painless but I'm also curious if their is a tip of the trade for this though.

    #3 7 years ago

    Ever try an old toothbrush?

    #4 7 years ago

    Tried and that never worked well. Sometimes my metal pick even required some coaxing to get them out.

    #5 7 years ago

    Nice tip. Here's mine: tumble old dirty bulbs to make them look like new

    #6 7 years ago
    Quoted from Cheddar:

    Nice tip. Here's mine: tumble old dirty bulbs to make them look like new

    I wonder what you do get out of these new-looking bulbs?
    Although it may be worth doing if it is a batch of old GE bulbs.....

    Yves

    #7 7 years ago
    Quoted from Arcane:

    I wonder what you do get out of these new-looking bulbs?
    Although it may be worth doing if it is a batch of old GE bulbs.....
    Yves

    A lot of bulbs have dirt, grime and corrosion. The tumbler makes this go away and reduces resistance with the socket.

    Additionally, I donate bulbs to the pinball museum and it looks nice to have clean glass on those bulbs. This is what made me tumble them the first time

    #8 7 years ago
    Quoted from Cheddar:

    A lot of bulbs have dirt, grime and corrosion. The tumbler makes this go away and reduces resistance with the socket.
    Additionally, I donate bulbs to the pinball museum and it looks nice to have clean glass on those bulbs. This is what made me tumble them the first time

    Yeah, tumbled bulbs look brand new and if you get a bad one just toss it.

    I tumble switches, too. Switches really clean up nice.

    #9 7 years ago

    I broke up with my tumbler recently, and moved in with the ultrasonic cleaner and buffing wheel.
    =)
    -mof

    #10 7 years ago
    Quoted from mof:

    I broke up with my tumbler recently, and moved in with the ultrasonic cleaner and buffing wheel.
    =)
    -mof

    What brand ultrasonic cleaner? Tell us about it.

    #11 7 years ago
    Quoted from cottonm4:

    What brand ultrasonic cleaner? Tell us about it.

    Harbor Freight's 2.5L $80 model has worked well, and their 6" $45 buffing wheel.

    -mof

    #12 7 years ago
    Quoted from mof:

    I broke up with my tumbler recently, and moved in with the ultrasonic cleaner and buffing wheel.
    =)
    -mof

    they're cheating on you .. im seeing both of them too.

    tumbler is still the go for bulbs .. ultrasonic breaks the filaments

    #13 7 years ago

    Sometimes it's hard to get the pieces out of the tumbler. Sometimes it's really easy2016-12-16 06.57.05 (resized).jpg2016-12-16 06.57.05 (resized).jpg

    2 months later
    #14 7 years ago

    Do you guys prefer corn cob media or stainless steel shape media? I bought a tumbler and using stainless steel shot media but after an hour not seeing much differance. Suggestions.

    #15 7 years ago

    I use walnut shell and don't even look for 12 hours

    #16 7 years ago

    I use walnut and Flitz.

    #17 7 years ago

    After tumbling if any media stuck in screwheads I put the screws in a baggie and shake. Works pretty good.

    #18 7 years ago

    Any of you pros have a recommendation on getting lots of small pieces out? I feel like I'm standing there for an hour pulling handfuls of walnut media out in order to grab those last few screws and washers.

    On the plus side, mine is doing an amazing job!

    #19 7 years ago
    Quoted from Rdoyle1978:

    Any of you pros have a recommendation on getting lots of small pieces out? I feel like I'm standing there for an hour pulling handfuls of walnut media out in order to grab those last few screws and washers.
    On the plus side, mine is doing an amazing job!

    I drop it all back in the ultra sonicator and that gets lots of it out.

    then dental pick for remaining

    #20 7 years ago
    Quoted from Rdoyle1978:

    Any of you pros have a recommendation on getting lots of small pieces out? I feel like I'm standing there for an hour pulling handfuls of walnut media out in order to grab those last few screws and washers.

    I bought a decently powerful magnet at the shack and dragging it through the media usually gets it all

    #21 7 years ago

    About 10 bucks total from Big Lots.

    It's a small plastic garbage can with a locking lid using their strainer. Just dump the media..pick your parts out and throw the strainer in the can (with the media) for storage. I'm actually grabbing another one today for corn cob media

    Quoted from Rdoyle1978:

    Any of you pros have a recommendation on getting lots of small pieces out? I feel like I'm standing there for an hour pulling handfuls of walnut media out in order to grab those last few screws and washers.
    On the plus side, mine is doing an amazing job!

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    #22 7 years ago

    I have a big tumbler and I'm tired of fishing through all the media for small screws once they are done so I am going to invest in another tumbler just to do those:

    ebay.com link: itm

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    #23 7 years ago

    Wow, these are all great ideas! The strainer seems the cheapest and most logical option, but we dont' have a damn Big Lots anywhere nearby

    #24 7 years ago
    Quoted from Rdoyle1978:

    Wow, these are all great ideas! The strainer seems the cheapest and most logical option, but we dont' have a damn Big Lots anywhere nearby

    Try Family Dollar or Dollar General, probably find something similar.

    #25 7 years ago
    Quoted from Rdoyle1978:

    Wow, these are all great ideas! The strainer seems the cheapest and most logical option, but we dont' have a damn Big Lots anywhere nearby

    You don't need to go to Big Lots. Got to Walmart and get a collander.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=colander&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjlxqyG-8zSAhXIOCYKHe8QCdkQ_AUIBigB&biw=1263&bih=887

    Or go to hardware store and get some screen wire, tape, and a couple of 5 gallon buckets.

    I used kitty litter containers since I have a cat.

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    #26 7 years ago

    I was making a sort of (not very funny) joke. But thanks again for the ideas. Kitty litter boxes are DEFINITELY something we have around here

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