Rock tumblers

Hello, I have found your forum very helpful with lots of information that is useful to me as a beginer.

I'm thinking about purchasing a tumbler - to make life easier. I'm not sure what kind of shot or pellets to use with art clay, I think I read somewhere that steel shot was used? Also is there a particular size/weight to get?
Would you recomend any particular tumbler or would they all be pretty much the same?

Thank you ,
denise

[Metalman]

Tumblers are great for hardening the metal clay a bit as well as a certain sort of polish.  I use Stainless Shot so I don't have to worry about rust problems. There is steel shot and there are solutions you can add to it to avoid the rust - costs are probably the driver here. The place to learn abit more of the details would be your local 'rock shop'.  The rock hounds are a dissappearing breed and they need all the support you can lend them.  I paid $15/lb for my shot. A small Tumbler needs 3 to 4 lbs. of shot.  You might check around, we have a company call Harbor Freight, they have very inexpensive, small tumblers.  Sufficient for my use, at least.  I have read that you should not use polishing compounds with the metal clay.  There is probably room for experiemnts here but I think that the stronger coarser polishing compounds might cut too fast and hard for the metal clay pieces.  Sort of like using medium sand paper when you should use 600 grit

Thanks Metalman, I do see that Harbor freight has a great sale on-line for tmblers but their metal polishing media is walnut shells mixed with polish compound. Where do you get your stainless steel shot & is there different weights to it? I will also check for a rock hound in my area.

thanks again!

[Russ Nobbs]

I'm told that the Harbor Freight one is a good value.... except that the belt wears out quickly. Buy a replacement good quality belt and throw the one it comes with away. Places like rock shops and Rio Grande sell steel shot. I've always preferred mixed sizes and shapes of shot.

[Metalman]

I had a problem with my tumbler [from Harbor Freight] and After taking it apart, I found the plastic drive wheel was loose.  This would be the sort of problem that would lead one to think the belt was slipping.
I suspect they need a general 'tighten the nuts' overall as you use them

Denise,

Your best bet if looking for a rock tumbler  is to get a thumbler's tumbler, I have had mine for over 6 years and never had a problem with it with the exception of having to order replacement lids and Barrels '> You'll have several models to choose from , personally I love my A -R2. and would never trade it in for any thing else.

Good Luck

[Suzer]

Can I tumble items that have set stones (that I fired in place)?

[Metalman]

If the stones you fired in are cubic zirconium they may stand up fine to steel shot. I am concerned about the impact of the shot on the stones damaging them.  If you use abrasives or polishes, they may damage the finish  or  polish  of the stones.
Bottom line - this is risky and needs testing to make sure the materials you are using won't damage the stones you are using.
A final hazard - if you are using abrasive or polishing compounds, they may wear enough of the metal clay off to cause the stones to release from the setting you fired them into.