The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Best tool for hardware resto?

I have boxes and boxes of used hardware. Large and small. Screws, bolts washers etc. I do not want to throw them out, rather, I wish to clean, sort and restore them as new. What tool/method is best for hardware restoration? I know the wire wheel is good, but it removes the protective coating and accelerates the rusting of the just cleaned item. Not only that but it takes a lot of time to do each one. I have even tied wire to a group of them, and bead-blasted them, again time consuming.

Has anyone attempted to use a jewelry tumbler? If so, what medium would be best suited? Or what is the best way to protect them after cleaning them to bare metal?

Any ideas out there?

Thanks

A tumbler will do a NICE job. My friend uses one to polish a lot of small stuff. I do not know what media to use.

My grandson has a "rock tumbler" that I have considered trying to use but its a little late for me

Eastwood offers these tumblers and I would think they have recomendations in their catalog/web site to guide you.
Let us know. I'm interested and curious but spending my time on other things right now. I wish I had bought one in the beginning. I could have saved many $$ that I spent at Ace Hardware!

I like to throw the hardware in a little phosphoric acid solution overnight. The next day everything is clean and rust free. It even leaves a protective coating. Also, you can hit them with the wire wheel and they polish right up.

what concentration of phosphoric acid do you use? Whst protective measures are needed. What kind of container do you use - glass?

I read a post in a porsch website (pelican parts) that the guy used electralosis to remove rust from brake calipers. He said it caused no harm to the part and he didnt use any abrasives. Only the rust was removed. Best of all no time was consumed. Well the parts did sit in the home made vat for a day or two.
I found it (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=452132&highlight=electrolysis)

If you have a large quantity, how about a cement mixer and sand blast media of just about any type. I seen a cloth dryer drum in a automotive electrical rebuild shop set at a little angle, with media and several pieces of alternator's tumbling away. Seemed to do a decent job.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=452132&highlight=electrolysis

I read where someone took small items and placed in a clean paint can with some media and threw it in a paint shaker. Another option that may work. I haven't tried but thought it was a great idea. Have fun and good luck
Dan

Try This

Bit of overkill for nuts & bolts but if you could find a local garage with something similar they may do them for you. We have one at the shop I work at for hubs and other odds and ends, but it hasn't worked for 5, 10, maybe 15 years

I have in the past used a brass polisher with walnut media from the local gunshop. Does a good job just dont overload it. havent seen 1 in a while unless I go to a gun show. plug it in check in morning still dirty, check after work... most of what I have done was ready in 4-5 hours
Brad

I have found that a vibratory tumbler loaded with bolts or whatever and sand works very well. After a couple of days, parts will be bare metal and the sand will be fine dust. I've used this
process for over 20 years with the same tumbler.

best wishes,

Les

I wonder what its like to live somewhere that the bolts come off in one piece?