Tumbler Purchase Advice and First Use?

[brad]

I am considering purchasing a tumbler.  Something with a barrel large enough to handle a cuff/bracelet.  I would primarily use it for polishing, smoothing, but perhaps an occasional rock or two.
I would enjoy your recommendations and experiences. 
Thank you, Brad

[caeterle]

Being in Germany where I also got my tumbler, I can't help you with a brand, but maybe one of the others can.

[DawninCal]

I bought my tumbler at Harbor Freight. The price was reasonable and it's been a workhorse. I use it both for polishing and for hardening things like ear wires, jump rings, etc. I have not tried to tumble rocks in it.



Dawn

[brad]

I did buy one. It has a "medium" size tumbler. I loaded it with 2 lbs of mixed shot, and a dab of burnishing liquid. After tumbling a copper cuff for about 4 hours on a lowish speed, I have a finely grainy texture now on what was smooth copper. Hmmm, not enough tumbling, too slow of tumbling, not enough shot??? brad

[Irith-Rita]

This sounds strange to me. If you enter a smooth copper item into a tumbler, the result should be shiny and even smoother.
I only use a tumbler for cleaning my jewelry after having finished all the soldering buffering and shining, and it comes out nice and clean. Never a grainy texture...

[caeterle]

I mostly used my tumbler for work hardening, but with all the beadwork lately it has been dusting in the corner. When I used it, though, I never got a grainy texture, either. Could it be the burnishing liquid?

[brad]

full disclosure/clarification...my "burnishing fluid" was liquid Dawn. However, this morning I found on my shelf the bottle true burnishing fluid, I had purchased through Rio Grande. I piece through run again I rinse the shot and clean the tumbler, and see what the results are. Thanks, brad

[caeterle]

Yes, I use something similar (only we don't have Dawn here).
Good luck! Can't wait to hear how it works out.

[DawninCal]

Ooops, I hadn't seen the updates on this thread. That is odd. I use Dawn in my tumbler and have never had a problem with a grainy finish. I'll be interested to hear if the burnishing compound gave a different result.

[brad]

I tried again, on silver and copper, and still get a very subtle grainy texture. I did use the Rio Grande burnishing liquid this time. So, I am wondering...not enough time in tumbler, or speed of tumbler. (my tumbler has 1-5 speeds, and goes from fairly slow to fairly fast.
How much time and how much speed should I consider for, say a silver cuff, one inch wide and six inches long?
Thanks, brad

[DawninCal]

Brad, I'm not an expert on tumbling, but I did some reading and I wonder if the tumbling time is too long.

Most of the articles I read said to give the piece 1 - 2 hours and at least one said to start checking the results after 20 minutes. Two pounds of shot is about right and I saw no mention of what speed to use. With five speeds on your tumbler, maybe go for a medium speed which I would think is #3?

With that info, I'd suggest trying again for a shorter time and see what happens. It might be a good idea to use some scrap silver so that you don't damage any of your beautiful jewelry.

Good luck and do let us know what happens next.



Dawn

[Irith-Rita]

Usually before using my tumbler, I polish the items to the wanted texture, then clean them off with a soft material. Only in the end, when I find the result is satisfactory, I use the tumblr for extra cleaning (and improved shining when I want a shiny result).
To harden ear wires I don't use the tumbler (waste of electric power) but hammer them gently, which hardens them.