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Thread: Got my Rock Tumbler - now what?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    Scotland, UK
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    Default Got my Rock Tumbler - now what?

    Hi All - at last! I managed to get my hands on a National Geographic Rock Tumbler on eBay - it was a very later listing finish [after midnight] and no-one else was bidding on it, so I managed to get myself a bargain!

    Anyway it's just arrived and I have no idea what to do next.
    Do I need to buy special stuff for it? I guess I don't use the polishing compounds that come with it. What do I use to polish jewellery and where do I get it?

    Also tips on how to use this to polish jewellery, how long it takes etc etc etc would be very useful, I'm a total tumbling beginner.

    Thanks

    E
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  2. #2
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    Apr 2010
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    A Brit living in France
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    Default

    I know you need to get some steel shot like this Stainless Steel Mixed Shot 1kg - Cooksongold.com
    and some soap and water. Im not sure on the timings though as I don't actually have a tumbler but I want one!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
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    Winnipeg Beach Manitoba Canada
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    Default

    I use steel pin shot mixture. It has all sorts of little odd shaped pieces of steel.
    I fill it about 2/3 full of water and add a lubricant. You can use shavings of ivory soap, dish detergent or the material sold for tumbling- can't remember what its called but frankly ivory soap worked just the same.

    I leave my jewellery in for a couple of hours. You want to leave it long enough for the job to be done. I have left stuff in there over night and had no negative results. ( a couple of hours usually works fine though)

  4. #4
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    Hi Evie,
    You might find some useful comments on this thread http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/nee...polishers.html. I know George recommends NOT using general washing up liquid with a tumbler, as there are some nasty additives that will not be kind to jewellery.

    Hope that helps.
    Jules

  5. #5
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    Jul 2009
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    Bristol
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Petal View Post
    Hi Evie,
    You might find some useful comments on this thread http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/nee...polishers.html. I know George recommends NOT using general washing up liquid with a tumbler, as there are some nasty additives that will not be kind to jewellery.

    Hope that helps.
    Ecovers not as bad though, but a kilo of barrelbrite will last forever and then some!
    Lucinda

  6. #6
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    Jul 2009
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    Where do you get Ivory Soap from. I looked at Barrelbrite on CG but as it's a hazardous chemical I don't want to use that - I'm trying to limit the toxicty of my studio, so going for a soapy option would be better. Why do you need soap anyway? I've read somewhere that is stops the stainless steel shot from rusting - but stainless steel isn't meant to rust? I'm confused.
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  7. #7
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    Ivory Soap's a North American product. You can use pure soap flakes (in the detergents aisle at the supermarket). Otherwise burnishing soap B (which isn't hazardous unless inhaled).

  8. #8
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    Sep 2009
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    Derbyshire
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    Manchester Minerals do a very cost effective mixed steel shot and barrelling soap.

    Manchester Minerals Polishing and Setting

  9. #9
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    For a NG tumbler how much shot would I use at one time - is it worth buying 1kg? My tutor at college said that Goulds sell it in 500g bags for about £11 apparently so if I don't need 1kg, I'd think I'd opt for getting less.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milomade View Post
    For a NG tumbler how much shot would I use at one time - is it worth buying 1kg? My tutor at college said that Goulds sell it in 500g bags for about £11 apparently so if I don't need 1kg, I'd think I'd opt for getting less.
    I've just had a look and it has fewer shapes in the mix and it doesn't appear to have any pins,you may want to ring them to find out for sure though x

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