For the past few months, instead of using an acid etch bath, I've been tumbling my beads in a rock tumbler.
I put in a handful of junky glass beads* (that I bought way before learning lampworking) and a couple spoonsful fine white sand, along with the beads I want to etch, and fill the tumbler about half full of water. I usually let the tumbler run about three to four hours.
It is kind of a pain to empty the tumbler and separate the beads, but it does really take less than five minutes. Then I have beads with a wonderfully velvety finish!
Teri P
* The junky beads are different sizes and shapes. I think this helps the process along. Also, beads that have odd shapes might not have all surfaces etched. This can be a fun thing!
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Orange Cricket with 10L oxycon and NG
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