Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > March 2005 > 2005.03.28 > 17Prev  Next


Cleaning Screws
By Jim Divoky

Yes, the tumblers work very well.  However, I use a vibrating polisher
meant for gun shells which cost $50-100.  See  www.berrysmfg.com  or
here's the one I use:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=910617

Here's my technique:

Step 1: Wash in degreaser such as Mean Green (not Simple Green).
I made a simple metal holder that fastens to the top of my vibration
polisher.  I place the screws and degreasing mixture in sealed plastic
container in holder.  15-60 minutes will clean about anything including
40-year-old bike grime.  Caution: Degreasers may remove or soften
paint.

Step 2: Rinse and dry on terry cloth.  I haven't tried blow drying with
hair dryer or compressed air.

Step 3: If very rusty, I repeat step 1 & 2 using suitable rust remover
such as Lightning Rust Remover.  Caution: Rust removers may remove or
soften paint.

Step 4: Drop into the polisher for 1-48 hours using walnut shells, not
corn cobs.  Walnut shells are available where you purchased your
polisher, and at gun shops or pet stores.  You may wish to add Novus 3
to speed the process.  Caution: This step will remove paint.

Step 5: Remove from polisher.  Compressed air and a kitchen sieve may
be used to remove dust or shell fragments lodged in threads or slots.

Works great for me on bicycle, pinball game, bowler, penny scale and
even player piano parts.

Jim Divoky, Dandridge, Tennessee


(Message sent Tue 29 Mar 2005, 01:56:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cleaning, Screws

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page