Would this work - vibration cleaner

[CompoSimmonite]

I have lots of small metal parts that need derusting. Normally I'd sandblast in cabinet, wire brush in angle grinder and any other method I can think of but am wondering if a vibration cleaner could be an easier way to go.

My idea is a heavy duty builders bucket that an palm sander is attached to the bottom and then suspended by rubber cord from the roof of carport. Fill bucket with cat litter, chuck in rusty part, switch on and go back inside until next day.

Would this work or would I need to make something more sophisticated ?

 

[steveo3002]

ive seen just what you describe on other forums , the claim it works a treat , although i think they used something harsher than cat litter

 

[nickk]

I have used a cement mixer, with small sharp stone ,needs couple of hours.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I have used a cement mixer, with small sharp stone ,needs couple of hours.

My concrete mixer is petrol so don't think neighbours would be happy about that running all night

 

[CompoSimmonite]

ive seen just what you describe on other forums , the claim it works a treat , although i think they used something harsher than cat litter

I think cat litter is probably best for alloy parts. I use recycled carborundum grit from crushed grinding wheels in my little sandblasting cabinet so that is probably better choice.
Now I just need to find a cheap 1/4 sheet palm sander to experiment with.

 

[Cobbler]

How about using small electric motor with an offset weight on the shaft so it runs out of balance. I'm not sure a cheap palm sander would run for long enough.

 

[decca]

I tried this with a sander. Very noisy and the sander got a bit hot after a while. I didn't leave it running for long but it looked like it was starting to work. I would find a different power source.

 

[thinfourth]

Buy a cheapo grinder from B&Q

They will vibrate enough for this

 

[steveo3002]

might be ideal to try aldi's return policy...get one of thier cheapies until it grenades

 

[anto44]

I was going to post a link to some implements that could be used to produce the vibration but it might be against forum rules

 

[angellonewolf]

^^^^ dout they would have enough power for rust removel but considdered what there used for might be better than we think

 

[postie jon]

^^^^^^ yes and you could leave it outside without the fear of it going "kaboom" in the rain. wonder what the warranty says about industrial use?

 

[thinfourth]

I was going to post a link to some implements that could be used to produce the vibration but it might be against forum rules

But you would be up all night changing the batteries

 

[anto44]

But you would be up all night changing the batteries

They're actually available mains powered now. I'd post a link to some educational demonstration videos but again forum rules.

 

[Cobbler]

But you would be up all night changing the batteries

Voice of experience?

 

[thinfourth]

They're actually available mains powered now. I'd post a link to some educational demonstration videos but again forum rules.

Can't see why

 

[anto44]

Joking aside, i was in a scrap yard a while back and they had a load of conveyor belts, hoppers and that type of thing out of a factory. There was also a machine there, it was a piece of stainless u channel about 3 foot wide 2 inches deep and 6 foot long mounted on a box frame by springs at a slight angle. It had a motor mounted to the underside of the u channel that had a counter balance mounted on the shaft with a plastic cover over it. It shook the u channel so that small parts would slide down it. Someone on here might know what I'm talking about and who supplies that kind of thing. Duty cycle and motor life shouldn't be a problem as they'd be designed to run like that for long periods.

 

[anto44]

Can't see why

 

[gti6gamekeeper]

A bullet tumbler is designed for cleaning empty cases and it does it very well. Lots of videos on you.tube and homemade versions. Hth.

 

[bigegg]

I got a "flabelos" type vibrating exercise machine off Freecycle.
Rated to 120kg, with speed and amplitude control.

Works a treat, except the longest program is only 40 minutes.