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Stainless Steel Tumbling Media

promach

Silver $$ Contributor
I have a machine shop and I have been running some small aluminum parts that are kind of a pain to deburr. I have never messed with the SS media, but I was wondering if any of you guys think it would deburr these parts. If so, where is the best place to purchase it and what would the procedure be?
 
Since we don’t actually know anything about the small aluminum parts (size, shape, type of aluminum, etc) and the type of burr (size etc) they have, it is difficult to accurately answer this.

However, at least in general, aluminum is softer than stainless steel and so it might have some effect, but my guess removing burrs unless they are very small will be a slow process since SS media’s effect i.e. on brass is very light which is why it works well i.e. it does not damage the brass, only polish it. My guess is it will not remove the burrs unless they are very small. More likely it will polish the burr’s sharp edges smoother.

I think your best bet would be to send a sample to someone and pay them to run a small test before committing any funds.
 
If you tumble your aluminium parts long enough to remove the bur, the dimensions of your parts will not be the same as they were before tumbling.
 
These parts are a little under 3/8"X 1/2" long. I have used ceramic media in my large tumbler but these parts are too small for using that method.
I know this dosen't have anything to do with reloading, so I appreciate the response.
Anyone interested in trying a small run for me?
 
There are other medias that may be better for your purpose. Vibratory machines can do wonders. Ask around on Practical Machinist.
 
I want to get feedback from as many reloaders as possible an the good and bad experiences they have had with stainless shot tumbling media. Call it R&D on my part as I am a vendor and looking for ways to build a better mousetrap, so to speak. Feel free to chime in.
 
These parts are a little under 3/8"X 1/2" long. I have used ceramic media in my large tumbler but these parts are too small for using that method.
I know this dosen't have anything to do with reloading, so I appreciate the response.
Anyone interested in trying a small run for me?
Are you looking to try SS Media?
 
I would suggest searching for small ceramic spheres....2mm or so in diameter... and tumble dry. You have the result of the ceramic cones but works for smaller parts. I did this years back for some parts about 1" diameter (disc) and .5" thick with a couple of features and two countersunk holes. Worked well as hand deburring all the radii worked for about 5 of them them I had to find a better way for the 95 remaining. An engine builder had the round ceramic media and the rock tumbler but I know not where he got it from.
 
What you want to do is an industrial process that is carried out in one form or another every day. Manufactured parts are routinely tumbled/vibrated in a variety of different machines using various media, depending on the material from which the part is machined and the desired end result.

The idea is very much like how we reloaders clean our brass using the "wet SS" method. However, "similar" is not equal to "the same". Although I've seen lots of ways to finish fabricated parts, I'm not an expert in the field. I just know that it's an integral part of some manufacturing routines. You won't be reinventing the wheel, that's for sure.

These days I imagine some diligent work with Google would lead you down the correct path. But you gotta' communicate with parts fabricators, not ammo reloaders unless you happen to run across someone who is familiar with what you need. Otherwise you're going to get some guesses which are likely to be wrong.

If you already reload using the wet SS method, try it. You have little to lose. But if you must first purchase equipment or media, I suggest doing more research first. Chances are the answer is not a brass case tumbler and 5 pounds of the SS pins most of use.
 

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