Tumbler Recipe Question

[maddog1050]

For those of you who tumble beads, I have a question about amounts you use in your barrel.

I have a Lortone tumbler and will be using the three pound capacity barrels. I plan to use 600 grit in one barrel and 1000 grit in the second one for two different surface finishes depending upon the effect I want.

How much grit would you use? I've seen responses ranging from two to three tablespoons to half a barrel's worth. That's a big range.

Next, how much of the barrel would you fill with water (up to 1/2?; 2/3?).

Then I'll add a drop or two of detergent and I have plastic pellets to add as filler and then the beads. I plan to check the beads in hour intervals until I get a finish I like. Just didn't want to tumble for hours only to find no change--or too much. Thanks.

[Tink]

*bump*

[SteveWright]

Here is how I have done it and it works. I put the beads to be tumbled in with a filler. I have always used glass filler beads, so I'm not sure if the plastic tumbling media will work, but it is worth a try.

I use about 1 tablespoon of the grit, I used 1200, but that is a matter of what finish you want. Add water to the level of the beads, try not to go much past 1/2 full. Add a drop of detergent and let it rip. Check it after an hour or so. Don't go nuts with the detergent.

Let me know how it turns out. The variable here is the plastic filler. We used to use the plastic beads in a polishing step for sterling, but now use stainless steel shot.

Steve

[Phoenix]

I suspect the half barrell worth was in reference to how full the whole barrel should be- bot how much grit. I have a three pound tumbler and use 1-2 tablespoons. Since I keep a tumbler full and add a tad as needed, I don't know exactly how much is in there- if I pull out beads after 45 minutes that aren't etched enough, I add a bit that round and let those go longer

[EJohnsonArtGlass]

Has anyone tried the plastic media and, if so, does it work?

Originally Posted by SteveWright

Here is how I have done it and it works. I put the beads to be tumbled in with a filler. I have always used glass filler beads, so I'm not sure if the plastic tumbling media will work, but it is worth a try.

I use about 1 tablespoon of the grit, I used 1200, but that is a matter of what finish you want. Add water to the level of the beads, try not to go much past 1/2 full. Add a drop of detergent and let it rip. Check it after an hour or so. Don't go nuts with the detergent.

Let me know how it turns out. The variable here is the plastic filler. We used to use the plastic beads in a polishing step for sterling, but now use stainless steel shot.

Steve