Need info - Tumbling media for small hardwood parts

[Ron Humphrey]

I have a small tumbler that i use for brass cases. I am considering making hardwood jewelry from all the small pieces of highly figured wood left from making other projects/products.

After searching the web several times, I have found little specific information on what media options will work on hardwood. There is a lot of speculation and "This should work" comments, but nothing from those that are actually doing this successfully.

I would appreciate hearing from those that have successfully done tumbling of small hardwood parts, what media works for them.

This was posted under FINISHING and had 92 hits in 2 days, -0- responses! I know this can be done.

[Keith Hankins]

If you reload just try some diff things. I'd try cat litter, and a few drops of car wax. Works great for shells.

[Ron Humphrey]

I have tried several media. Most are OK for P O L I S H I N G brass. They also P O L I S H wood. I need better/more aggressive abrasion to soften corners on hardwood in less than a couple of weeks tumbling time.

[Steve knight]

the grit they use in rock tumblers work can't remember what its called but they have different grits. thats what one of my customers use for small parts.

[jeremy j smith]

You are thinking of Silicon Carbide or Aluminum Oxide grit. Lapidary supply companies sell it by the pound. You can get cheap kits on ebay.

You could also try ceramic or plastic shapes. These are used to polish/deburr metal. Here is the first website I found with them: http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/tumbling-media.htm

Jeremy.

[Matt Krusen]

My wife does some lapidary/jewelry work out of my shop and she uses silicon carbine grits in her tumbler. Never thought about putting wood in there, cool idea. You can also look into a vibratory tumbler instead of the more common rotary tumblers. The vibratory versions are much faster. She can take stones through the grits from rough to polished in about 10 days.

[Steve knight]

You are thinking of Silicon Carbide or Aluminum Oxide grit. Lapidary supply companies sell it by the pound. You can get cheap kits on ebay.

You could also try ceramic or plastic shapes. These are used to polish/deburr metal. Here is the first website I found with them: http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/tumbling-media.htm

Jeremy.
right thats what my customer uses they are little waves made from baltic birch 10's of thousands of them.

[Rick Lizek]

1/2" squares of sandpaper. Try different grits.

[Ron Humphrey]

I have read that method elsewhere and am trying it as this is written. I am thinking that getting some aluminum oxide grit(s) only, no paper, may be the way to go. So far I can only find it in large volumes (50#) for sandblasting. I need to check lapidary supply houses.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I am thinking that getting some aluminum oxide grit(s) only, no paper, may be the way to go.If you go that way, can you please post back here about how it worked out?
I have a Dillon case cleaner that I sometimes use to clean and polish old hinges and knobs. Sometimes they are painted over heavily and I've considered using something abrasive instead of the corn cob media I normally use.

I'm worried it might chew up - - or worse - - chew through - - the plastic bowl.

[Rick Lizek]

I have read that method elsewhere and am trying it as this is written. I am thinking that getting some aluminum oxide grit(s) only, no paper, may be the way to go. So far I can only find it in large volumes (50#) for sandblasting. I need to check lapidary supply houses.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.
Talk about overthinking it. Just use the cut up bits of sandpaper. Works well and is inexpensive!!!!

[Ron Humphrey]

checking "lapidary" and "sand blasting", I'm having difficulty finding white aluminum oxide in volumes less than 50# I'm thinking a multiple step process, starting with 80 grit, 120, 220 and then a fine polishing might work. I'ts curious that no one seems to have any experience with this process, positive or negative.