[Jewelry making - Article 00217] - Re: [Orchid] Experience with Magnetic Tumblers

[Matthew Crawford]

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>     I have an order for a fairly large number of gold and silver
>     crosses. I already have a vibratory tumbler but the media is too
>     large to get into the recesses in the crosses. Has anybody any
>     experience with the magnetic tumblers? 

    Yes! The second most important tool I bought last year (behind my
    kilnminder). I find it to be absolutely necessary in the finishing
    of many things, and is key for getting into small places. If your
    model is clean and free of much surface defect, and your castings
    reflect that, and you can get "almost there" with your vibratory
    setup, then this will be the finishing touch. 

    It finishes more rapidly than a rotary tumbler/stainless shot combo,
    but you have to watch it! If you let softer metals run too long, they
    will look orange-peeled, especially on smooth, open areas. I
    typically run sterling for no more than 8-10 minutes; platinum, and
    gold up to 18K, for 15-20. To combat the orange-peel effect, I run
    the items before my last sandpaper course (1500), so that the
    recessed areas stay high-polished, and the high spots get the benefit
    of a nice smooth polish paper before going to the wheel. Likewise,
    you could run it between your last two vibratory grits. 

    I have the tiny one available from Stuller and Rio. I think it was a
    couple hundred bucks...totally worth it! Won't hold much, but works
    great. When this one goes to the great toolyard in the sky, I'll
    definitely get another magnetic tumbler, but one with a larger
    capacity. 

Matthew Crawford
www.MatthewDesigns.com
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