Wondering how this polishing in the vibrating tumbler will go.

[RADisorder]

Share your experience with polishing using this method if you like. I just picked up a tumbler today and bought some lizard substrate (crushed English walnut) from Petco. Has anyone used this and could describe it (fine, coarse, etc.) in comparison to other media?

I had been sanding using wet/dry auto paper and just decided to get the tumbler today. The blade has an etching I really liked and am trying to preserve it.

Around 6 hours in, little to nothing has happened so far. It's just like I've read many say that it seems like it takes forever and you keep wanting to check on the razor.

If all goes well after some days I am now thinking I'll just add some blue magic and see what happens. I read that this guy used the same lizard litter media and saw no improvement when using corncob. That may suggest it's a fine media.

 

[paco664]

when doc226 refinished my old wade and butcher chopper he left the blade in a tumbler of walnut shells for a week......


it worked just fine... give it some time...

 

[Seraphim]

A few years back tumblers were quite the rage for refinishing. One key I remember reading was the guy put a few dollops of polish in with the walnut media. I imagine that would help expedite the process.

 

[ANeat]

Corncob is best for polishing softer metals, Walnut is fine for steel, works great for softer metals as well. I always use Nufinish car wax in mine to polish brass using lizard litter.

A little splash of mineral spirits will keep the dust and static down as well

 

[RADisorder]

Corncob is best for polishing softer metals, Walnut is fine for steel, works great for softer metals as well. I always use Nufinish car wax in mine to polish brass using lizard litter.

A little splash of mineral spirits will keep the dust and static down as well

Did you see that post where he said the lizard litter was just as effective as the corncob on his razors? Have you used any other walnut media to compare it to? I'm wondering if it is any finer than the average, since it looks pretty fine to my eye - although I don't have anything to compare it to.

p.s. I see a reviewer on Amazon saying it's finer than other walnut media used for reloading. Looking at my bad, the stuff I bought was 10 quarts of Zilla Desert Blend - Ground English Walnut Shells.

 

[ANeat]

No I didnt go to the other web site and read the thread, Im only relating my personal experience. Put some type of polishing compound in the media, whatever it is, and it will be way more effective

I should add the differences between say corncob and walnut media become way less evident when polishing a hard piece of steel vs a piece of brass or aluminum.

I know some guys who use stainless steel shot and get amazing results (not on razors)

For me on a razor I just go thru sandpaper progression. If the razor isnt too bad I usually start around 800 grit or so, up to 2500, then a light buff

 

[Doc226]

when doc226 refinished my old wade and butcher chopper he left the blade in a tumbler of walnut shells for a week......


it worked just fine... give it some time...

It took about a week.
http://www.doc226.com/Doc226/Restorations_&_Rescales/Pages/Wade_and_Butcher_Restore.html

 

[fast14riot]

Yes, lizard bedding is finer than normal. I manage a pet store and I'm a reloader, so I know both types very well! I use walnut media I get from work that is for bird cages, its a bit bigger than the stuff for lizards. I suspect I is exactly the same stuff as what the reloading companies sell.

Using some Flitz in the media helps, or whatever liquid metal polish you find. Start with 24 hours and go from there.


-Xander

 

[RADisorder]

Yes, lizard bedding is finer than normal. I manage a pet store and I'm a reloader, so I know both types very well! I use walnut media I get from work that is for bird cages, its a bit bigger than the stuff for lizards. I suspect I is exactly the same stuff as what the reloading companies sell.

Using some Flitz in the media helps, or whatever liquid metal polish you find. Start with 24 hours and go from there.


-Xander

Thanks for confirming that stuff was finer than normal. It's been going to work with some blue magic in there the last 24 hours.

I updated the SRP thread last night with pictures showing the changes and a small chip in the nose it's developed. This morning it looked like the tumbling is actually smoothing the chip a bit so I'll continue on since the etching is still looking good.

 

[Seraphim]

I don't think you're supposed to link to other shave sites.

Post your progress here please.

 

[RADisorder]

Here is what I had after polishing it with some blue magic by hand:


Here is what it looks like after tumbling for maybe, 5-6 days:


It's still in the tumbler, been in there a solid week I'd say. It's so cool that it doesn't damage the etching at all and it slowly keeps polishing and cleaning out rust. I'm hoping to leave the thing in there up to a few more days with the intent of getting every teeny tiny bit of that rust out of there. It looks a little better all the time.

 

[fast14riot]

Also, after tumbling for a while like that, it will benefit the final product to take and add some fresh media in there. Say 50% change. As you tumble it for so long, you are also polishing the media down, it loses the sharp points nd corners that get the tiny bits of rust and crud out. Be sure to add some more polishing compound along with the fresh media.


-Xander