I have tons of 1/4" and 3/16" aluminum round parts that I have to polish all the time. These range in length from 2" to 24". I've been thinking for months on how I can do this faster. I'm wondering what everybody thinks about using some sort of rotary media tumbler to do this? Would the parts get lodged up because they're long? I've searched for an affordable machine that could do this, but most affordable ones are the smaller pot shaped vibrating kind, or a rotary drum that's too short. Maybe I could build one myself? Also... If there's threaded holes in the parts, what media type would be good enough to polish the outside, but not ruin the threads in the holes? Or would it just be better to drill and tap after polishing? These don't have to be polished to a mirrored surface... Just an even brushed type look is fine.
Thanks for any advice,
Dave