Sleestak
starting to shine!
Member since February 2013
Posts: 46
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Post by Sleestak on Jun 5, 2013 9:38:21 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 5, 2013 9:50:17 GMT -5
I honestly can't remember how much I use, but it is certainly a pound, but no more than 2. I also use plastic pellets for cushioning. I think you are better off with mixed jeweler's shot with all the shapes. It really helps to get into all the spots. Stainless is expensive, but it lasts forever, so the purchase isn't so bad.
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Sleestak
starting to shine!
Member since February 2013
Posts: 46
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Post by Sleestak on Jun 5, 2013 10:09:03 GMT -5
I honestly can't remember how much I use, but it is certainly a pound, but no more than 2. I also use plastic pellets for cushioning. I think you are better off with mixed jeweler's shot with all the shapes. It really helps to get into all the spots. Stainless is expensive, but it lasts forever, so the purchase isn't so bad. Thanks for the reply. About how far up do you fill the barrel with shot? Do you ever have problems with the skinny pins in the jeweler's mix getting jammed or stuck in weaves or crevices? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 5, 2013 10:17:31 GMT -5
No, I never have a problem. I mean, once in a while one might get stuck, but they have always been easy to get out. No biggie. Same with the pellets.
The shot is probably a little more than a quarter of my 3 lb. barrel and the cushioning to just under the top. The pellets are cheap and they last forever, too, but they tend to get everywhere and you end up losing some over time, so it's good to get extra. I got a pound, I think, and it has lasted abt 10 years. They are very light.
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Post by orrum on Jun 5, 2013 11:46:12 GMT -5
Interesting topic, what r we talking about? This is something I never heard of.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 5, 2013 11:52:19 GMT -5
I've never heard of using shot when polishing. I use ceramic media. I looked at the shot in your link and it looks like it would scratch the rocks. What are the advantages over ceramic?
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 5, 2013 12:09:16 GMT -5
Orrum- lots of people use a tumbler to tumbler polish their wire wrapping. It also work hardens and deburs.
I don't know anything about using ceramic, so I can't comment on that. I guess, if it does the same job and it's cheaper, then why not?
There are some stones which I won't tumble- like malachite, it takes the shine off. I have tumbled everything from agate to opal.
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Sleestak
starting to shine!
Member since February 2013
Posts: 46
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Post by Sleestak on Jun 5, 2013 12:19:44 GMT -5
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 5, 2013 14:46:00 GMT -5
I just realized that this is posted in the wire wrapping section. I thought you were talking about rock tumbling. I've never wrapped a wire around anything but a bread bag. So you tumble the rock after it's been wrapped in wire, huh? I had no idea.
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Daddio
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2012
Posts: 94
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Post by Daddio on Jun 8, 2013 8:54:48 GMT -5
I bought 2 lbs of mixed shot but I think I ended up using about 1.5 lbs in a 3 lb barrel along with small plastic beads and a tbs of burnishing soap. I bought burnishing soap but I think something like dreft or ivory snow would work as well. Rockjunquie has been doing this a lot longer than me and turns out beautiful work. In fact I think it was one of her posts that I followed.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,601
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Post by jamesp on Jun 8, 2013 10:04:10 GMT -5
Pat knows too
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 8, 2013 14:07:29 GMT -5
I think most people who have been at metal jewelry for awhile have probably tumbled.  I use Dawn dishsoap. It's a great degreaser. I used shavings from an Ivory bar of soap for years. I think I prefer the Dawn, though. |
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