I Use THIS Tumbler to Polish Pinball Parts... 

I used to use a Berry’s Tumblor until the motor dies after MANY MANY uses. Went with the one you have since it’s larger and works like a champ. I just go to any pet store and use reptile bedding (crushed walnuts), then squirt some Flitz metal polish, about 5 ring patterns, and let it go for at least 48 hours for dirty parts and comes out perfect. I also reuse the media until the color gets darker and add polish each time. I’ll also tumble my pinballs when they start getting minor scratches (not deep ones) and even standard carbon pinballs come out looking like Ninjas, at least 48 hours but have done 72 hours sometimes. Hope this helps and YMMV.

also does a wonderful job polishing used brass before reloading!

Hey Cary! On behalf of your fellow Patreon supporters, we’re happy to have provided you with a new toy! It appears to be a nice addition to your collection of restoration stuff. That made a significant improvement!

I have the same tumbler. I did make a mistake once and put some coin door parts in it and let it run for 3 days. The bigger parts had sharp corners and it actually cut a hole in the side of the plastic tub. There was media all over the floor. I'm still finding that crap years later. But, when it does work as intended it makes the parts look great!

Impressed how well it polished up such a large part. The media additive is the trick. I use Flitz but I think I will try the Lucas additive. Thanks for the video.

Cary - I use that same tumbler with resin/ceramic media (less dust that walnut shells) and polish - works great! I use for all my metal parts and hardware. Start it up at the end of the day and let it run overnight. 😊

Hey Cary in the future you may want to upgrade to a Thulmers Tumbler. They have a model with 15 lb capacity which is the one I use. They are built like a tank & large enough for those odd over-sized pinball parts. The rotating action really cleans up anything you put in it and It's actually very quiet also. Check them out when you have a chance.

I just tried this last week for the 1st time without the polish and was pleasantly surprised with the results, I will definitely try adding the polish next time

Strongly considered buying a media tumbler for my last restoration, but held off. May need to finally invest in one for my next restoration. Looks like it works great and is way easier then wheeling out each part. Another great video Cary! Thanks for sharing

I’ve been rocking that size for a few years . I use it for all the little guys . The bigger metal still gets the wheel treatment because it’s just way faster and I’m impatient. Get yourself a cheap strainer and a five gallon bucket . Then when you’re done dump the whole thing through the strainer and all your bolts will be in there . Then just dump the media back in again . Can reuse the walnut shell for quite awhile until needs replaced.

Hey Cary, as you learned along the way, the parts have to be as clean as possible before going in. Otherwise you’ll end up with an uneven finish as the media won’t do much over the dirty/greasy areas. I usually use a dollop of Mothers Mag polish in mine and it works well. Going to have to give that Lucas try.

These are great. I have a smaller one but need a larger one for pieces like that. They do a great job! Novus 2 works well as an additive to the media too.

Using a tumbler for years. I can hear mine going now on some IJ cabinet parts 😁

Walnut is a finisher, corn cob first. Add a metal polish or it'll do very little, I have a witches brew of T-Cut, Brasso and metal polish in mine!.

Maybe I need a bigger one like that. I have a small one and it works great, but cant fit parts that big. Nice job!

I have used a wet tumbler before my son polishes rocks. They do work amazing just time consuming

Nice! This will take some tedious tasks off your list, yes? You are making me want to restore a pin myself! Dual disc brakes on your motorad?! Cool!

Interesting

Add a couple cap fulls of White Diamond Metal Polish. 24hr run = Ghetto Ninja Ball

I’m surprised the black plastic ledge didn’t get ground down.

how loud is it? can you hear it vibrating through out your house?

Is it possible to tumble pinballs?

Fill it up with media. You had way too little media in that bowl. Fill'er up!

I know nothing about this but maybe put the polish directly on the metal.

Good tumbler, wrong media.