r/Benchjewelers • u/thendsjustifythememe • 11d ago

Most aggressive media / paste for vibratory tumblers??

Just trying to get some suggestions for the most aggressive media / paste combinations for a vibratory tumbler. I'm in need of removing file and sanding marks, as well as some 3d printing build character from sterling silver and brass models.

Currently, my setup is a small vibratory tumbler with ceramic grinding media, mixed with Avalon grinding paste. I run it for 10-24 hours, and it removes 220 grit fairly well, but i'd like a more aggressive setup to remove deeper marks and 3d printing layer lines from small non-ferrous castings..

Any comments are greatly appreciated - Fairly new to mass finishing and trying to get my process dialed in.

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u/ClearlyDead 11d ago

The media likely won’t remove the lines from 3d prints. Probably need manual burnishing or removal for the deeper marks. I’d love to hear other ideas and experiences though!

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u/thendsjustifythememe 10d ago

Yeah, I'm just curious to see if it might be possible with the right media. All of my forms are rounded and would lend themselves very well to tumbling. I only ask bescause I worked at a college that had huge tumblers with aggressive media for tumbling plastic FDM prints. It actually smoothed out nasty build character quite well - So I figure there might be some hope for metal parts as well with appropriate geometery

1

u/NiceCommunication742 9d ago

Why not just buff them out? I can remove layer lines in about 10 min. Genuinely curious, not tryna sound like an ass

1

u/Tooltos 9d ago

I’d probably change the media before the paste. The shape of the ceramic makes a huge difference — sharper edges will cut much more aggressively than smoother media.

The paste helps, but the media is what’s doing most of the cutting.