Will this work ?

[killzone]

Good day.

I can get an old twin tub washing machine for free. Will it work as a wet tumbler ? I still have to build me a drum tumbler, but I stumbled upon this opportunity and was wondering.

Thank you.

[Dickie]

Top loader? You can use the motors, other than that I doubt it will be good for anything else tumbling related.

[killzone]

I mean twin tub. The spin part is f.u.b.y but the washer side is till fine.

[Scuba Steve]

I don't think the weight of the brass would lend itself to good movement with an upright drum.

Suppose the thing to do here is take it and try it.

[Ds J]

If it can wash 7-10kg of wet linen it should be able to wash 7-10kg of brass. Might make an awful noise and even damage your brass.

[harm]

Apart from the noise,it can work.
Small,electric cement mixers have been used for tumbling brass (jerry miculek uses 1,iirc),and to put a "tumbled finish" on knives for some time now.the operation is similar.

[killzone]

Thank you for the replies. I have most of the components ready to built a traditional rotary tumbler. Just need to assemble it and source a suitable drum. The washing machine will be a lot less trouble if it works. I'll still give it a try and see what happens. My only concern so far is the ss-media and its affect on the machine's workings.

[Wanderin' Zero]

Isn't the SS media going to pass through the holes in the drum?

[Dylanm]

The centrifugal force will cause the brass to move and get stuck to the circumference of the drum while spinning/turning in the upright position as a washing machine usually stands. If you can somehow cant the washing machine over a tad you might get some results though.

[killzone]

Isn't the SS media going to pass through the holes in the drum?

My concern as well. If I do try this experiment, it will have to be without media. Maybe a few rags or old socks. @Dylan, Have you tried something similar before ?