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Thread: Tumbler has ruined my rings!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Scotland, UK
    Posts
    319

    Default Tumbler has ruined my rings!

    HELP!

    I've always used national geographic rock tumbler with round steel shot to polish my jewellery (cheap and effective) but as I'm now making larger pieces like bangles, I thought I'd invest in a barrel type tumbler as I can't get the bangels into the rock tumbler as the opening is too small.

    So I bought one of these: http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...rcode-999-6022 and it's just gone and ruined all my rings. What have I done wrong?

    Here's a shot of two rings - one with an oxidised finish (polished back to just leave the patina in the sunken areas) and the other that's just come out of the tumbler - I put it in to remove tarnish and shine it up. It had a smooth surface when it went into the tumbler and now the surface is matted and pitted and covered in vaseline and so not very shiny at all.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I followed the instructions and put vaseline on the seal etc to seal the water in, buit looks like this has got all over the jewellery and affected the polishing process. The rubber barrel has two metal ridges within it and I think these are causing the scratches and pits in the silver surface. I've used the same shot in my rock tumbler with my rings and they always come out polished and shiny.

    It must be the metal ridges within the barrel causing the scratching - I'm so annoyed as I'm now going to have to get the micromesh out and do 9 grades of micromeshing on 14 rings to get them back to the beautifully smooth state they were in before going into this tumbler.

    I'm not sure I can return this item now either that I've used it, but I'm really not happy with the results and would really like a refund.

    Am I doing something fundamentally wrong?
    Or shall I just get on the phone to CooksonGold and request a refund.

    E
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cornwall
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    3,172

    Default

    It does sound odd that there are metal fins in the tumbler. Usually the barrels are rubber. Those particular type of barrels are very similar to the first tumbler I ever had which was rubbish and leaked everywhere. Yours is expensive though so shouldn't leak. I've never heard of using vaseline.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,844

    Default

    As said above I can't imagine a tumbler with metal ridges being much use for anything, plus all the tumblers I have ever used do not require vaseline or any sealing agent only mechanical seal

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Scotland, UK
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    These are the metal ridges inside the barrel - there are two opposite each other.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    the instructions say 'it is advisable to lightly smear vaseline over the surfaces to reduce the likelihood of leakage' and I preume they mean around the seal.
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Oxon
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    394

    Default

    Are you sure they are metal, mine are plastic, fairly common in ball mills, they cause the media to drop rather than roll, and accelerate the action


    Sent from my XT1580 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    Scotland, UK
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    Default

    They're definitely metal with very pointy corners.
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Scotland, UK
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    Questioning whether they've sent me the right machine - this is the instructions manual that came with it.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Shouldn't I get instructions for a Gold Pro Barrelling Machine seeing as that's what I ordered.

    I've been in touch with Cookson Gold about it and they've asked for photo's so I've sent these and will probably hear back tomorrow.

    In themeantime I better get re-polishing these rings that are all marked. Ho hum...
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    cotswolds
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    Default

    I think that's pretty crap - and certainly not fit for purpose. I'd definitely be returning it for a refund.

    Then get a proper tumbler - with a nice rubber barrel and no fins. I'd happily recommend the Lortone 3A - http://www.palmermetals.co.uk/shop/l...l-tumbler.html - mine's been going strong for years and years despite almost constant use.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    268

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    I can second George's advice, my Lortone has been running for years. Just needs a bit of WD40 now and then to get it spinning fast again!

    Carin
    Carin Lindberg

    Camali Design
    www.camalidesign.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Scotland, UK
    Posts
    319

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    Cost and size are factors in my purchase - tiny studio, tiny budget - thought this would do the trick. Definitely think they've sent me the wrong thing. Will hear back from them tomorrow.
    Find Milomade online - follow the links below....
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