Engine components to clean - options?

[steviec_lj]

Have a few items, mainly internal engine parts that I'd like to clean up after giving them a bath in a degreasing solution. They're for some sculptures I've been asked to make, so will not be going back on the road at all in the future.

Currently don't have a blast cabinet up and running, so that's out for the moment. I could send them out to be done, but have had a think about it, and may have come up with an alternative, but I thought I would run it past you before committing myself.

I have a cement mixer sat doing nothing, undercover, and a pile of small gravel.

Would emptying the parts I'd like to clean up a little more into the cement mixer along with a couple of shovels of gravel and allowing it to chuck everything around for an hour or two work at all?

Opinions appreciated.

 

[rtbcomp]

That's a standard way of cleaning items, not sure about gravel, maybe sand?

 

[stuvy]

what happens when the engine parts hit each other or the internal blades in the mixer? surely a big gauge will appear?

If you have a compressor you can buy the blast cans. Looks like a paint pot but has a big nozzle for around £25squid then just make a wooden box to do the bits in

 

[AndyStobbs]

If they are internals anyway they can only be oil soaked.
I just wash in kerosene, blow the majority off with compressed air, spray with brake cleaner, and blow again.
Parts finish up absolutely grease free, so much so it makes the colour look odd.

 

[DrNik]

chuck it in the mixer with the gravel, it cant be any worse than concrete blocks i put in mine, little water may help

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

To degrese propery, i soak parts in Dichloromethane u can buy aresols made by ambersill called GS5 its very aggressive on anathing that isnt metal or glass, make sure u wear RPE goggles and gauntlets when placing parts in it!

 

[MrFluffy]

Take the paddles out the drum and use sand.
If you google "vibratory tumbler cement mixer", you'll get a lot of hits and ideas...

 

[rtbcomp]

I think the process is called tumbling. I believe they used sawdust in a rotating drum to clean cutlery.

 

[steviec_lj]

Thought I'd seen or heard of it before, but didn't want to dive right in without double checking, and had no idea what to search for to be honest.

Next thing to find out, is if the paddles can be taken out...

 

[rich r]

Next thing to find out, is if the paddles can be taken out...

You've got an angle grinder haven't you?

 

[DrNik]

put a bucket in the cement mixer drum, get one that slides into the drum mouth and no further,using the bucket lip, might need to tack some clamps so it doesnt fall out.no need to remove the paddles that way

 

[captain-destructo]

if they have to be pristine then why not sneek them into the dishwasher

if not then chuck them into the mixer with some sharp sand first if not coarse enough then try the gravel

 

[marlinspike]

The tumbling method is how they polish up gem stones, fossils etc. Just looked on ebay, they are called a rock tumbler polisher, and a grit kit provides the stuff you put in. Works on stones so should work on metal parts if the grit is fine enough, I would think.


You could also try Bilt Hamber Deox C. Make up a solution and leave for 24 hours. I have just bought some to use on my car restoration project - haven't tried it yet so can't guarantee it, but it gets very good reviews. It's citric acid basically I think, but does seem to strip off grease and corrosion.

http://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-treatments/deox-c

 

[Hitch]

Proper rumblers use large ceramic stones in various shapes and sizes.....

Id be inclined to chuck it in with a few showels full of 3/4 all in.... best of both worlds.

Its not the most efficient way, but you can leave it and go away for a couple of hours.

 

[Welderpaul]

I've often eyed up the cement mixer and a few shovelfulls of gravel when theres loads of small bits to deburr.
I guess the proper rumblers spin a bit faster. Any particular spec for the ceramaic stones?

 

[steviec_lj]

if they have to be pristine then why not sneek them into the dishwasher

if not then chuck them into the mixer with some sharp sand first if not coarse enough then try the gravel

Shhhh...the less said about that, the better. Still stinks of oil 3 washes later. It cleaned up quite a few of the items, but the pistons are still quite bad, mainly burnt in oil and coke deposits.

Proper rumblers use large ceramic stones in various shapes and sizes.....

Id be inclined to chuck it in with a few showels full of 3/4 all in.... best of both worlds.

Its not the most efficient way, but you can leave it and go away for a couple of hours.

That was kind of the idea, chuck it all in at 9am(ish) and pack it away at closing time around 5pm(ish).

I've often eyed up the cement mixer and a few shovelfulls of gravel when theres loads of small bits to deburr.
I guess the proper rumblers spin a bit faster. Any particular spec for the ceramaic stones?

Hadn't thought too much about deburring yet, but that will probably come at a later date.


Shall be trying DrNik's idea with the bucket in the mouth of the cement mixer out though, saves trying to take the paddles out this time. Something else to add to the fabrication list when I get a chance.

 

[Hitch]

Proper jobbers have fancy filters, and a supply of watery stuff with additives iirc.
Dont spin as such, more of a rotary motion which also vibrates. The stones come in different grits also i believe.

heres one i found on google a sec ago...
http://www.vibratoryfinishing.co.uk/Used-Equipment.html