25 minutes ago, 26th-Z said:

Great explanation, Jim.  I bagged and wired in groups, like 'the rear suspension' or 'front fender bolts' so that groups / assemblies came back all together.  The wire wheel routine will take your fingertips off.  And zing precious bolts as far out as the front lawn.  I used a rock tumbler from Harbor Freight and media for rust cutting to clean all my hardware.  The bigger things had to be media blasted which I farmed out.

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=60542

 

How long did you let it tumble? How full did you fill it? When they came out were they basically polished looking?

36 minutes ago, 26th-Z said:

Great explanation, Jim.  I bagged and wired in groups, like 'the rear suspension' or 'front fender bolts' so that groups / assemblies came back all together.  The wire wheel routine will take your fingertips off.  And zing precious bolts as far out as the front lawn.  I used a rock tumbler from Harbor Freight and media for rust cutting to clean all my hardware.  The bigger things had to be media blasted which I farmed out.

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=60542

 

I would have assumed a tumbler, particularly when used with abrasive media would damage the threads on screws.  Am I wrong?

Ok everybody I now feel more confident on getting this done with all the advice I was given, and it’s great advice and makes a lot of sense to bag and tag and to use thin wire to keep it all together! Thanks ?

I have been using the green media for which I posted a link.  It wears out pretty fast compared to stiffer media I have used.  Tumbler times?  Usually overnight, minimum 4 hours, more like six.  Bigger parts, big bolts take longer.  Little washers actually help the process by banging into each other.  No, it doesn't damage the threads.  I wash and dip the tumbled stuff in OSPHO before I inspect everything.  Sometimes I run a tap or die over the threads.  Don't let the OSPHO drip dry.  It will cake in the threads.  Wipe everything off with a dry towel.  And your'e good to go.

Oh, if your'e thinking of buying a tumbler or a vibrator; they both work the same, I just happen to prefer the tumbler.  I have the one I linked.   I fill the canister about half full with hardware and media.

11 hours ago, 26th-Z said:

Oh, if your'e thinking of buying a tumbler or a vibrator; they both work the same, I just happen to prefer the tumbler.  I have the one I linked.   I fill the canister about half full with hardware and media.

I have a tumbler. I have experimented with it in the past. I also have the same type media. I may have to try some of that again to see if I can get satisfactory results