gerard
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 218
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Post by gerard on Sept 14, 2013 20:39:37 GMT -5
I am looking for the best medium and polishing agent to use to tumble finish sterling pieces like earrings and rings. Any Help? TIA
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Post by connrock on Sept 15, 2013 7:10:34 GMT -5
I use stainless steel jewelery mix media in a vibe to work harden and polish sterling silver jewelery. connrock
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Sept 15, 2013 7:19:09 GMT -5
I use stainless steel jewelry shot and Rio Grande burnishing mix in a rotary tumbler.
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Post by Tony W on Sept 15, 2013 20:20:42 GMT -5
Like Tom said, stainless shot. I only use a lbs. of shot and it seems enough. The stuff costs! I use burnishing compound and water in my vibe. I put finished bezel settings with the cabs, and wraps with the cabs in, and let them go for hours. Cleans them up nicely and puts a shine, which I then follow up with bobbin compound, then Zam, on buff wheels. Not the wraps though. The fast buff wheel will turn a wrap into a wad of wire in a heartbeat if you aren't careful T
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Post by Pat on Sept 15, 2013 22:46:26 GMT -5
I use steel shot of mixed shapes in my small vibrating tumbler. I put the sterling in with the shot , add water to just below the surface, and a drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid, and turn it on.
I've done this with Swarovski crystals in finished pieces also. Good job.
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gerard
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 218
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Post by gerard on Sept 16, 2013 0:46:05 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input - Anyone have a dry recipe?
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Post by connrock on Sept 16, 2013 6:38:47 GMT -5
The stainless steel media is a dry recipe.
I've tried dry walnut shells that have red gouge impregnated in them in a rotary tumbler too but can't really see much of a difference between the SS media and walnut shells.The tiny pieces of nut shells get stuck in every nook and cranny and are had to get out too. connrock
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Post by docone31 on Sept 17, 2013 7:58:59 GMT -5
One thing that can be an issue with vib tumblers, and rotaries, water quality. If in doubt, use distilled water and Dawn. The hammering of the shot, can impregnate the material with a dark colour.
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