[Jewelry making - Article 00368] - Re: [Orchid] Using a tumbler

[coralnut]

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    Cherie, Should I assume you want to use the tumbler to polish/burnish
    metalic items? I find it is important to do some pre-polishing first
    with bobbing or tripoli. Then put the items into the tumbler with
    shot and 'burnishing' soap.  There are many of them out there and
    most work about the same.  I like the soap provided in the 'grit
    kits' from Diamond Pacific..it works great whether cleaning stones
    after polishing or if burnishing metal.  Anyway, put in a couple of
    table spoons of the soap and fill the tumbler with water just above
    the shot.  By the way, the shot should be of all sizes and shapes.
    That way it will get into even the smallest spaces.  Put in the
    pieces to polish, close the tumbler and run for about 1 to 2 hours. 
    Don't run it too long...I believe it polishes to a point and then
    begins to abrade the surfaces.  Tumbling will cause surface work
    hardening but not deep into the metal.  When you remove the pieces,
    be sure to rinse well in clean water.  I am rarely, if ever,
    satisfied with the final tumbled surface and always give the piece a
    final buff with Fabuluster, ZAM, or some other polish.  The good
    thing about tumbling, it gets into the nooks and crannies you can't
    reach with a buffer and when you do the final buff it usually looks
    great! 

    Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
    elegance IS fine jewelry! dcdietz AT attbi.com


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