harbor freight tumblers?

[squid]

has anyone here used the harbor freight tumblers? I am considering buying one, but wanted to get some feedback.

They have a dual one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90979

for $40 and a single one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46376

for $30

Thanks

Sigrid

[Cosmo]

I read somewhere on this board that someone got one and it says not to use with liquids, although that lid looks just like the one I have on my Lortone. Something you may want to investigate if you plan on using liquids in your tumbler.

Personally, I think the Lortones are the best out there for the price.

[AmySimsDesigns]

I have the single barrel and use water/soap/stainless steel shot in it. I love it-the rubber barrel is very quiet (compared to the old plastic "toy" tumbler I was using before!).

I have not had problems with leaking, but I make sure that the lid is on tight and I set the barrel on the tumbler while it is running. If you don't plan on running it 24/7, it is a great deal.

HTH!
Amy

[shawnette]

I've had the single for a couple of years and it works great. I use it with water, also.

[Kalera]

Breezy has the single one and she likes it just fine, so far...

[squid]

Thanks guys - I am going to go ahead and order one!

[Cosmo]

Did some checking.... it was the vibrating tumblers that said you couldn't use them with liquid, not the regular rotary ones. So you should be fine with that one.

[squid]

Thanks for checking on that Chad. :)

[Emily]

Used mine last night, with water and a little soap. They're probably not the most durable if you plan to use them a whole lot over the long term, but for occasional use, I haven't had a problem.

[Joanne Owsley]

I have the single. Use it a lot and love it. Wish I'd bought the double.......

[tgslampwork]

I have the double and LOVE it. One thing that rocks about the Harbor Freight one is that it has an on/off switch. Fumbling for electrical outlets in my PACKED studio is not an option.

Sadly, the belt on my tumbler buster over the weekend - but after two years of use I am not surprised - and I'm happy to say that for a whopping $1.20 I can buy additional belts.

I thought I might be sorry for not getting the Lortone (I always say you get what you pay for) -- but I am delightfully happy with my Harbor Freight one.

[Kaleidoglass]

Just wondering, how much stailess steel shots in the single tumbler? a cup, half a cup.?

[tgslampwork]

I use 1 cup and it works perfectly. Although, just to be clear, no shot comes WITH the tumbler :) Although, if someone needs just a lb I have extra I could sell for $15 (Which is less then I paid in my time of panic when I bought TEN lbs locally).

[lainee733]

ok i have a naive (dumb) question. are you using the tumbler to polish silver, and if so how do you do it?

[Cosmo]

ok i have a naive (dumb) question. are you using the tumbler to polish silver, and if so how do you do it?

Throw the piece in, add the shot, a little water, and a drop or two of dish soap.

Put the top on, turn the tumbler on, and come back in a few hours.

[lainee733]

thanks cosmo!

[Starrr]

I also add plastic pellets to help cushion my jewelry when tumbling.

Edie

[catladybj]

has anyone tumbled polymer clay pieces?

[Karen Hardy]

has anyone tumbled polymer clay pieces?

I used to tumble my polymer clay. You cannot use the same medium (steel)
or the same methods for tumbling that you use for metals. Think of Polymer
as a VERY soft stone. It will also tend to discolor (turn gray or yellow) when
you tumble it with steel shot.

I've tumbled my polymer clay with very fine sand (for a first polishing, if I want a
matte finish) and I've also tumbled with bits of sandpaper in various grades in
soapy water. Here's a link to Desirees tutorial on tumbling Polymer Clay.
http://desiredcreations.com/howTo_TLTumbleSand.htm

Hope this helps!

Karen Hardy
President, Beach Cities Polymer clay Guild