Cleaning jump rings

[Lindyloo]

George, do you clean out your barrel and replace the barrelbrite frequently? Do you leave it sitting in the barrel between uses?

[mizgeorge]

I'm far too extravagant to reuse my water unless I've just tumbled a finished piece that's easy to fish out. I just dump the lot into a sieve, rinse under warm running water, use a magnet to pull the shot out and put it back in the barrel under clean water. I don't add the barrelbrite until I put the next batch of stuff in to be tumbled though - it seems to go clumpy if you do.

I've never cleaned the barrel itself, and I tumble everything, including glass, heavily oxidised stuff, gemstones and all sorts of metals.

[Gemma]

... use a magnet to pull the shot out ...

That's such an obvious thing to do!! Why have I spent hours trying to sort the silver from the steel?
Thanks George

[Fi Wilson]

Grr, me too! On the hunt for a big magnet now.

[WitchfordSilver]

I keep the shot in the barrel with barrelbrite all the time, barrelbrite should stop the shot rusting for far longer than just water. unless you can remove all the air in the water.

[Lindyloo]

Thanks guys. I have tried leaving the barrelbrite and shot in the tumbler, but it went all slimy and disgusting. And so it made me want to wash it out anyway. I have stainless steel shot, so I presume I don't have to worry about rusting at all. I presume that's why you don't worry about leaving yours in water only, George.

[Designed by Frances]

I fully agree with Dave, I too use what every dish washing liquid is handy, nothing special and have done for many years. Although I do sometimes use Barrel Bright Plus occasionally.

Thanks for the info.

I've ordered some BarrelBrite and will give that a go.

I also ordered some more Koil Kutter blades from Dave Arens and asked him what he used, and he said that he always uses washing-up liquid as a lubricant!

Regards,

Vi

[jamesjewel]

We use barrel bright and add a few drops of ammonia. We have as many shapes of stainless shot as we could find in a trommel V1 barreler - rods, tapered pins, round shot, and "flying saucers" which give the best chance of getting in all the nooks and crannies. Always keep the fluid topped up to cover the shot with more water. Add an occasional drop or two of ammonia Just enough to detect the odour. Only when it gets really filthy is the mixture replaced with the shot being well rinsed. Amazing results!
Use washing up liquid and a drop of ammonia in the ultrasonic.

[meriah]

A lot of the guys in the US use washing up liquid - but it needs to be absolutely additive free (no fragrance, no bleach substitutes, no antibac). It's easier to just use the right thing imo!

I've heard that too, but I think it's so difficult, nearly impossible to find absolutely additive free washing up liquid. They all contain something!