julieooly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721 
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Post by julieooly on Dec 21, 2019 10:28:46 GMT -5
Ok so I got a pound of mixed shot from Rio, do I need to clean it first before I use it? I have both 3 lb and 1.5 lb barrels available and intend to dedicate one specifically for this use. Will the 1.5 lb be big enough for generally or should I go ahead and use the 3? How about ratios? Shot (w/plastic filler beads if necessary), water and Dawn? I'm used to tumbling rocks ratios like 2/3 full, water level to top of rocks and then I guess a drop of soap? I'm guessing it's not as crucial to get this right? Thanks for your help, this shot sure is pretty  |
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cosmetal
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2018
Posts: 115
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Post by cosmetal on Dec 21, 2019 12:54:24 GMT -5
I clean my shot first (water/Dawn) - water rinse - dry. Repeat every so often to keep clean.
I store it dry and tumble my findings and jewellery dry in a 3lb. tumbler. Probably takes longer, but, less mess.
Next time I buy a load of shot, I'm getting the shot without the tiny pins. Those buggers stick into every nook and cranny and I hate picking them out.
Peace,
James
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721
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Post by julieooly on Dec 22, 2019 9:54:19 GMT -5
I only got a pound, how much do you use in a 3 lb and do you add plastic pellets?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 22, 2019 10:32:14 GMT -5
You need at least 40% of your barrel filled with shot, so use the 1.5 lb barrel if it will fit your work. No plastic media. Add just enough water to make it wet, you don't want to be able to actually see the water and then add a drop of Dawn. Run 15 minutes to an hour. Over an hour is detrimental.
Also remember that putting pieces with stones softer than the steel shot in there will scratch the hell out of your stones.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 22, 2019 11:06:03 GMT -5
I have had a Lortone 3a for 20 years for only one purpose- tumbling jewelry. I use one pound of mixed shot and fill the rest with plastic pellets, add a shot of Dawn (the best degreaser) and tumble for an hour up to 12 hours for copper. I have had only a few in all these years that were messed up. Malachite shouldn't go in the tumbler nor anything that undercuts badly like variscite, turquoise and others with a soft matrix. But, I have tumbled crystals, pearls, ammolite- just about everything else. I leave the tumbler filled with the soapy water and change it when it gets funky. This is because I have had a shot mix that had a couple pieces of reg steel thrown in and they rusted. Now, I keep it covered, no air, no problems.
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cosmetal
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2018
Posts: 115
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Post by cosmetal on Dec 22, 2019 12:03:41 GMT -5
Haven't finished my coffee yet, so this could be why I'm confused  Was the OP asking about using jeweller's SS tumbling mix for tumbling rocks or finished metal pieces? If rocks - why? If finished metal, is the work you tumble, wire wrapped pieces only? Then I can see the plastic pellets addition. I don't wire wrap (yet). Whoops, that maybe not entirely true as soon as I finish my 2ga twisted copper Neolithic torc. I still beat on everything with a Fretz hammer or two. Hard for a old Gael to learn new tricks. I have to stop here - it's dangerous to post without finishing my first cuppa.  Peace, James |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 22, 2019 12:35:33 GMT -5
I have had a Lortone 3a for 20 years for only one purpose- tumbling jewelry. I use one pound of mixed shot and fill the rest with plastic pellets, add a shot of Dawn (the best degreaser) and tumble for an hour up to 12 hours for copper. I have had only a few in all these years that were messed up. Malachite shouldn't go in the tumbler nor anything that undercuts badly like variscite, turquoise and others with a soft matrix. But, I have tumbled crystals, pearls, ammolite- just about everything else. I leave the tumbler filled with the soapy water and change it when it gets funky. This is because I have had a shot mix that had a couple pieces of reg steel thrown in and they rusted. Now, I keep it covered, no air, no problems. I should have added that I top it all off with water to fill. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 22, 2019 21:09:12 GMT -5
I should add that I never tumble my wraps with shot. I tumble my smithed pieces, though. Once I put a finished piece that I needed to fix something on in the tumbler. It was set with a Willow Creek cab. It was only in there for maybe 15 minutes and the cab got all scratched up. I don't use pellets in with my shot. Now I will only tumble pieces before the stones are set. I should also add that I have a vibe tumbler. If I need to shine something up after the stone is set, I tumble it in Vibra Dry.
I would go with Tela's recommendation in your case, since she's tumbling wrapped pieces, too.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 22, 2019 21:58:00 GMT -5
I should add that I never tumble my wraps with shot. I tumble my smithed pieces, though. Once I put a finished piece that I needed to fix something on in the tumbler. It was set with a Willow Creek cab. It was only in there for maybe 15 minutes and the cab got all scratched up. I don't use pellets in with my shot. Now I will only tumble pieces before the stones are set. I should also add that I have a vibe tumbler. If I need to shine something up after the stone is set, I tumble it in Vibra Dry.
I would go with Tela's recommendation in your case, since she's tumbling wrapped pieces, too.
I threw a soldered piece (unset) into the rotary, thinking I could leave it in a long time to get some gunk off it- wrong. Came out all micro dented. Still scratching my head over that. Doesn't bother wraps. |
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721
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Post by julieooly on Dec 23, 2019 9:50:29 GMT -5
Ok to clarify, I intend to tumble copper wire wrapped natural stone and glass cabochons, as a whole piece with the stones in them. Some may have beads of glass, stone or other material. I will also be tumbling the chains which will also have beads. I will also move into silver wire eventually.
I also know not to use this for regular pronged faceted jewelry (like my wedding rings) but if I make a wire wrap with prongs this should be ok I think.
I don't see that adding plastic pellets should be an issue anywhere because they're soft unless they just get stuck in the pieces.
Thanks again.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 23, 2019 11:22:31 GMT -5
I am giving this a good read. It has never crossed my mind to tumble my wire wraps. But then again, I never read any kind of instruction manual. Maybe I was supposed to be doing this all along? Hmm.
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Post by heatherathebyne on Dec 23, 2019 22:18:41 GMT -5
But, I have tumbled crystals, pearls, ammolite- Pearls?  How did that work out? I didn't think they'd polish up any more in a tumbler. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 23, 2019 22:29:22 GMT -5
But, I have tumbled crystals, pearls, ammolite- Pearls? (  ) How did that work out? I didn't think they'd polish up any more in a tumbler. They don't polish. The metal cleans, hardens, deburs and degreases. I was referring to wraps with stones (or pearls, etc) in them. |
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Post by heatherathebyne on Dec 24, 2019 6:30:09 GMT -5
They don't polish. The metal cleans, hardens, deburs and degreases. I was referring to wraps with stones (or pearls, etc) in them. Oh, gotcha. I assume you haven't noticed any negative effects on the pearls -- I would have been too worried about that to try. Good to know! |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Jan 2, 2023 1:35:31 GMT -5
So I just put a wire wrapped obsidian in my tumbler with steel shot. I don’t know… I’m thinking it scratched the cab. Unfortunately I didn’t scrutinize the cab with my magnifier prior to tumbling but when it came out I noticed a difference, a haze, in the stone surface so I checked with my magnifier and the stone does have micro scratches all over. This wrap and cab were in for about 45 minutes. I like the idea of tumbling wrapped cabs for the hardening of the wire and also the patina polishing. But it does seem dangerous. This one I risked because my wrap wasn’t super wonderful. How do we know which cabs can go in the steel shot? I feel like I need to make a chart. I suppose look up the hardness of steel and then compare to various stone hardnesses? I’ve seen people also who tumble only the wrap and then they put the stone back in afterwards which does sound preferable but the wrap I did today was way locked in, the stone not removable.
Also, I saw comments above that the tumbler needs to be 40% full of shot. My tumbler has one “pack” of shot that I bought specifically for this, not sure of weight or volume, but it is nowhere near that full. Maybe it’s 20% full in my Lortone tumbler. And as is the machine has a really hard time spinning the weight. I’m constantly having to help it get going again spinning it by hand. Today I actually added some water so I’m now above the suggested water amount because that seemed to help it keep spinning.
Any thoughts appreciated.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 2, 2023 6:12:58 GMT -5
So I just put a wire wrapped obsidian in my tumbler with steel shot. I don’t know… I’m thinking it scratched the cab. Unfortunately I didn’t scrutinize the cab with my magnifier prior to tumbling but when it came out I noticed a difference, a haze, in the stone surface so I checked with my magnifier and the stone does have micro scratches all over. This wrap and cab were in for about 45 minutes. I like the idea of tumbling wrapped cabs for the hardening of the wire and also the patina polishing. But it does seem dangerous. This one I risked because my wrap wasn’t super wonderful. How do we know which cabs can go in the steel shot? I feel like I need to make a chart. I suppose look up the hardness of steel and then compare to various stone hardnesses? I’ve seen people also who tumble only the wrap and then they put the stone back in afterwards which does sound preferable but the wrap I did today was way locked in, the stone not removable. Also, I saw comments above that the tumbler needs to be 40% full of shot. My tumbler has one “pack” of shot that I bought specifically for this, not sure of weight or volume, but it is nowhere near that full. Maybe it’s 20% full in my Lortone tumbler. And as is the machine has a really hard time spinning the weight. I’m constantly having to help it get going again spinning it by hand. Today I actually added some water so I’m now above the suggested water amount because that seemed to help it keep spinning. Any thoughts appreciated. I have tumbled obsidian with no ill effects. I won't tumble malachite and coated beads or coated anything.
My 3A tumbler has about a pound of mixed stainless steel shot. I fill it with the plastic pellets and add water to fill it all the way. I think your tumbler may be not full enough. With a full tumbler, the pieces aren't banging around. There aren't any long, hard drops. My tumbler has managed this just fine. Hope that helps.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 2, 2023 9:19:10 GMT -5
So I just put a wire wrapped obsidian in my tumbler with steel shot. I don’t know… I’m thinking it scratched the cab. Unfortunately I didn’t scrutinize the cab with my magnifier prior to tumbling but when it came out I noticed a difference, a haze, in the stone surface so I checked with my magnifier and the stone does have micro scratches all over. This wrap and cab were in for about 45 minutes. I like the idea of tumbling wrapped cabs for the hardening of the wire and also the patina polishing. But it does seem dangerous. This one I risked because my wrap wasn’t super wonderful. How do we know which cabs can go in the steel shot? I feel like I need to make a chart. I suppose look up the hardness of steel and then compare to various stone hardnesses? I’ve seen people also who tumble only the wrap and then they put the stone back in afterwards which does sound preferable but the wrap I did today was way locked in, the stone not removable. Also, I saw comments above that the tumbler needs to be 40% full of shot. My tumbler has one “pack” of shot that I bought specifically for this, not sure of weight or volume, but it is nowhere near that full. Maybe it’s 20% full in my Lortone tumbler. And as is the machine has a really hard time spinning the weight. I’m constantly having to help it get going again spinning it by hand. Today I actually added some water so I’m now above the suggested water amount because that seemed to help it keep spinning. Any thoughts appreciated. Well that sucks!! I have to agree with Tela about the obsidian. I've tumbled my obsidian in SS shot and had no scratches on it whatsoever. I did recently learn my lesson the hard way with regards to tumbling Malachite...it's a big NO NO! LOL I can't give any advice on the amount of shot because I use a TV-5 vibe to tumble my wrapped pieces. I do use a significant amount of water...and also use a fair amount of Dawn dish soap in the mix to work as a "lubricant"...which I believe a lubricant is necessary. One thing you can do, is run a test piece of material in the tumbler before you try tumbling a finished piece. I happened to have some already tumbled obsidian slabettes and ran those through the SS shot tumble to see if it would affect a finished piece. It didn't, so I ran with it. Had I done that with the Malachite (or remembered what rockjunquie had said about NOT doing it! LOL), I would've known not to run the finished piece through the SS tumble. |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 2, 2023 9:47:16 GMT -5
I'll just throw in that it works well for me too . I haven't tried obsidian yet, but will when the time comes. I do exactly what Tela does. Personally I liked the idea of the added plastic pellets, mostly cause I think it made me feel better "cushioning" sounds good. I think it's worth your experimenting khara- one added benefit that I've noticed is some wire wraps seem to come out of the tumbler tightened. And that can only be a good thing ! Patty |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Jan 2, 2023 13:11:22 GMT -5
Thank you rockjunquie jasoninsd liveoak for your thoughts. I will look for the plastic pellets. Maybe being fuller it will spin better (  ) And I think I'll clean my shot and do a fresh batch of water and soap. This tumbler set up has been sitting as is for probably 9+ years! I was actually quite pleased to open it up and see it still in good condition. The rubber barrel hasn't deteriorated, the liquid isn't discolored. Has a slight blue tint. I have no idea if I had bought an actual burnishing compound or if it was Dawn. Whatever it was stood up well to time. If it was actual burnishing compound I didn't want to throw it out! But I think I'll start fresh so I know what I've got going on. It's possible too that my tumbler needs a tune-up. I hope it's still ok because I've read a lot of people commenting on not being able to get much response from Lortone. Jason, I came to your same idea late last night as my brain percolated on this. I should use some trim saw pieces and do a quick polish and then test tumble them. I was getting ready to just not tumble any more stones. There isn't much about this online and most of it says don't tumble stones! But you all have done some really nice work so I think I will keep trying. Obviously with discernment. :-) Thanks again! |
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How did that work out? I didn't think they'd polish up any more in a tumbler.
) How did that work out? I didn't think they'd polish up any more in a tumbler.
) And I think I'll clean my shot and do a fresh batch of water and soap. This tumbler set up has been sitting as is for probably 9+ years! I was actually quite pleased to open it up and see it still in good condition. The rubber barrel hasn't deteriorated, the liquid isn't discolored. Has a slight blue tint. I have no idea if I had bought an actual burnishing compound or if it was Dawn. Whatever it was stood up well to time. If it was actual burnishing compound I didn't want to throw it out! But I think I'll start fresh so I know what I've got going on. It's possible too that my tumbler needs a tune-up. I hope it's still ok because I've read a lot of people commenting on not being able to get much response from Lortone. Jason, I came to your same idea late last night as my brain percolated on this. I should use some trim saw pieces and do a quick polish and then test tumble them. I was getting ready to just not tumble any more stones. There isn't much about this online and most of it says don't tumble stones! But you all have done some really nice work so I think I will keep trying. Obviously with discernment. :-) Thanks again!
