steel BB's as tumbler media?

[Jeepguy]

was thinking the other day that BB's might make for a decent tumbler media. Anybody here ever try this?

 

[IM_Lugger]

doubt it's a good idea lol

I think you want something softer than brass that wont get it all scratched and banged up, plus how heavy would the tumbler get with all that metal.

 

[zuke]

BB's will rust

 

[TERMINATOR101CA]

BB's will rust

That and they're too big in size to clean properly.

 

[aridan]

Unlike most people who are into tumbling with stainless, I don't use pins. I have 5lb of 0.040" SS shot used in sandblasting. Works like a charm.

 

[Snapshot]

Unlike most people who are into tumbling with stainless, I don't use pins. I have 5lb of 0.040" SS shot used in sandblasting. Works like a charm.

Interesting. I am using the pins but they sometimes stick in large primer holes.

Where did you source the shot?

 

[aridan]

Any local sandblasting supply would have it, mine came from a friend who's factory uses services of such a supply shop. PM me if you're close to Mississauga.

The shot doesn't stick. You rinse it out easily. I have a fine sieve on the bottom of a small pale filled about 1/2 way with water, followed by a wire basket hanging on the pale edges. I dump the mix, stir it up for about 20sec, raise the bucket, and give it a few shakes. Most of the SS shot ends up in the sieve, and I get the remainder when I dump the water out through that sieve.

The whole process takes under 5min. I've seen stories how guys hunt remaining pins with magnets and sh*t, and feel sorry for them.