Can You Tumble Jewelry - Without A Tumbler?
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Barrel Tumbler;
Stainless Steel Tumbling Shot;
Dawn Detergent;
Baking Soda;
White Vinegar;
Burnishing Solution;
Plastic Strainer;
Chamois Cloth;
Copper Coated BBs;
Drink Shaker;
Peanut Oil;
Plastic Tray; and,
Storage Containers
Purchases made using the Amazon links on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com, help to financially support the OJA. On our website you'll also find links to products from Durston Tools that we have reviewed. Or, you can access Durston's website at durston.com/oja.
Tumbling is one of the most useful ways to work harden and shine jewelry. Manufacturers make use of this process to mass finish pieces for the international jewelry market. Small tumblers are often used by independent jewelry designers. But, when the results aren't what they expected, designers often don't know what went wrong.
In this video, Professor John Ahr of the Online Jewelry Academy answers seven of the most frequently asked questions about the use of tumblers.
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That plastic cutout trick helped so much for chains. I have always accepted that I just have to untangle them after tumbling and the plastic cutout worked great. Thank you for the tip!
Glad it helped! 😀
Wow! Thanks for sharing all these very helpful tips!😁😁😁 Especially the one where you show how to polish your jewelry without a tumbler because I am just starting to make jewelry and I have been using quite a bit of expenses on tools, wire, materials, etc and to invest in a tumbler right now is just not in the budget so I am going to try the plastic shake container to begin with to see how it goes (I know my nephew has lots of energy he needs to burn so I can strap the container to him) but I really do appreciate your help and your video's! Thanks buddy I'll let you know how it turns out! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Wow, I was thinking about this topic yesterday! What a happy coincidence to find you made a video answering my doubts. Thanks for another great and informative video!
Hi Juliana, I'm glad that the video showed up just at the right time. I'm happy that you enjoyed it.
Thanks for your support! : )
Now I am going to do my own tumble lol...thank you again John. This is why I always watch your videos because you always have the answers to all my questions and I like the step by step that you use.😊
Hi Alice, I'm so glad that the format of the videos gives you the confidence to try these things.
Thanks for your support! : )
Good video, Prof. I love that your style is easy-to-follow, succinct and informative. ❤️
Hi Leigh, Thanks for leaving a compliment in the comments for me. I'm glad you're enjoying my teaching style. I strive to be the teacher that I wanted when I was in school.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you so much for this John, you're the man! keep up the good work.
Hi Randy, I'm glad that you found the video helpful.
Thanks for your support! : )
Lots of great tips. Thank you!
Thanks for letting us know that you're enjoying the videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
That tumbling your chain trick was awesome!! Thank you sooooooooooo much for that!! Well, for all of it really lol, but that just totally made my day! :)
Glad the OJA could help "make your day". : )
Thanks so much for all of the great info. I had no idea that I needed to cure the barrels, before use!
Glad you found the video useful. Thanks for watching!😀
Years ago (90’s) after buying a new tumbler and using for months, I forgot and left all sitting in barrel and all turned black. After cleaning and cleaning I switched to a glass pickle/salsa jar and I have never looked back!! I do switch when I get a new empty jar and recycle old one and use a few drops of dawn. I do also change water after an hour and then it can tumble as long as I need after that. Glass allows me to see exactly what is going on which was surprising when I didn’t have enough shot in jar etc. thanks for your videos. 👍
Hi Sue, Interesting tip. I would never think of trying that. I would be too afraid that the jar would break. I'll have to give it a try sometime. Glad you're enjoying the videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy yes give it a try. After trying to can various things and seeing all that canning jars go through when they are boiled etc I figured they are not as flimsy as you would think. So I make sure to use a very thick jar that has been heat sealed so I know it is up to the challenge! Thanks
that was an AWESOME tutorial - thanks !
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! 😀
I recycle and repurpose everything I can so I absolutely love your clever idea for tumbling chains! It's going to come in super handy real soon when I try my hand at chainmaille. Also, I never knew about peanut oil patina. That definitely intrigued me and I can't wait to check it out! Thanks for the great tips! 👍😊
You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed the videos. Thanks for watching! 😀
I have another tip for tumbling without a tumbler. You can buy tumbling shot online and put it in used “Talenti Gelato” containers. It’s smaller so you don’t have to use the whole pound of shot at once. This makes it lighter for an old lady like me. And it’s good exercise.
I have a tumbler but I use those nice gelato containers to store my shot after it's dried. Problem is that they're not real sturdy so I have to keep going to the store to buy more gelato to get a new supply of containers. 😉
If I weren't lactose intolerant, I'd be looking for reasons to acquire metal gelato containers myself.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks for the great tip Barbara. I'm sure that those reading the comments will appreciate your sharing the information.
Thanks for your support! : )
Great suggestions!
Glad you enjoyed the video Wendy.
Thanks for your support! : )
Stainless steel Shot is what I use and I've never had to do any of the things you're doing. I've had it for approximately 8 or 9 years and it still looks like new. I rinse after each use and store it in the barrel. I do use dawn dish liquid when running.
If you take care of your stainless steel shot it will stay bright and shiny for a long time. But, these tips and tricks live on the OJA playlist should you ever need them.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi John! Great video! I have one more very juicy question: What shot/media (ceramic?) do I use to give my jewelry a finish that looks like it's been sandblasted? I don't find that steel wool works very well and I really want a uniform look without the huge investment in a sandblasting machine AND compressor. You mention in some of the other replies below that there are many different types of media. I have yet to find a seller of those various media that explains what each might be used for in a given situation or to achieve a certain result. How wonderful would it be to see a video that shows and explains some options, and helps to steer us towards what we need and want? Truly Wunderbar! Amen to that! Oh, wait, that's two questions...thank you so much McGyver!
Hi Gabby, It's great to hear from you. Glad you liked the video. There are a couple of books on the market that explain how various media are used to tumble jewelry to achieve specific results through mass finishing. And, many of the online groups that host discussion threads often cover the topic of tumbling media. Here's a link that you might find helpful: www.ganoksin.com/article/practical-guide-to-mass-finishing-jewelry/ Ceramic media, that has an abrasive quality, can help to remove casting skin from new lost wax casting pieces. But, it does not produce a finish that resembles sandblasting. In fact, nothing other than actually sandblasting a piece will give it that even "tooth". If I come across an inexpensive way to produce a sandblasted look I'll be happy to share it with you. But I've been looking for years and still haven't found that magic bean.
Thanks for your ongoing support! : )
Your videos are always so useful! Thank you! Just a question: instead of Coke may I use citric acid?
Glad you're enjoying the videos. You can use citric acid to treat the rubber of your tumbler. The soda trick is great because the coke is already formulated and won't damage your tumbling barrel.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you for the video. How long do you run the tumbler?
I run it between 10 minutes to two hours. It won’t do much after two hours. 😀
this is perfect i have some bigger items that do not fit in my tumbler do you have any recommendations on what brand of bbs to get?
Hi Ashley, I don't have a brand recommendation for you. But, be sure to get brass BBs if you are trying to hand tumble copper pieces. You can always just use the stainless steel shot from your tumbler in the hand shaker as well. Good luck with your creative pursuits.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks
Glad you enjoyed the video Diane.
Thanks for your support! : )
John try 2 parts blue glass cleaner the cheap kind as long as its made with Ammonia 1 part water and a few drops of preferably blue Dawn I swear by it works as well as any commercial solution.
For which process? He mentions a half dozen here, which one are you talking about?
That was so awesome, and you answered many questions I definitely had...but the question I had was, can you tumble jewelry without using shot in a tumbler? And in regards to tumbling without using a tumbler, about how long will that method generally take to complete? Thanks.
Hi Ginger, Tumbling without shot would only wash your jewelry. And, it would never get any shinier than when you put it in the tumbler. So, you need to use tumbling shot. 😀
Thanks for the video! Could you use a rock tumbler that's never been used for rocks to tumble jewelry? Any special differences between a commercial jewelry tumbler vs a rock tumbler to be aware of?
Hi Amy, Yes, you can use a clean rock tumbler to tumble your jewelry. You just need to use the stainless steel shot and tumbling solution appropriate for jewelry tumbling in your rock tumbler. There really isn't much difference between the two types of tumblers. Sometimes the rock tumblers are a little more heavy duty in some aspects. Have fun tumbling your jewelry.
Thanks for your support! : )
When you use the cola to break in the tumbler, do you run it with the shot in it?
Yes. It helps to condition the barrel. 😀
I'm making simple ear wires with half-hard 20 ga Argentium Silver and all I want to do is smooth the burrs at the end of the wire without a lot of effort or expense. I don't have the patience for the wire rounding tool. I have a plastic bottle, but cannot use peanut oil due to allergies. In this case, what would you suggest? Thank you
A mechanized tumbler really is the best way to solve your problem. There are many inexpensive units on the market. Plus, you might even find a used one. : )
I've heard of using plastic "shot". The advantage supposedly, is it's more gentle on softer metals and metal clay. What is your take on this? Thank you I enjoy your videos.
Hi Raylene, There are all kinds of shot that are used for a wide variety of purposes in different types of tumblers. Plastic shot is generally used to finish aluminum, die cast and delicate parts because it's relatively gentle. It's not commonly used in jewelry studios that produce items in silver and gold. I recommend that you investigate tumbling media that is acceptable for use in your tumbler to determine what shapes and materials will work best for you. You'll find this sort of information online on most jewelry supply manufacturer's websites. And, there are a few good books on the topic as well. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you
Thank you
Tell me if I am incorrect but are not BB's made from lead od do you have steel BB's over there
You can actually purchase BB's online that are made from brass, steel, lead, etc. The brass ones work well with copper jewelry in a shake container.
Thanks for your support! : )
I understand this's a very old comment but for anyone else that reads this for future use most BBs for BB guns nowadays are copper coated steel, not lead. Regardless almost all will say the composition on the container. Though if you purchase them at a large sporting goods store or online you can buy uncoated BBs & BBs made of different metals. Tungsten BBs can be found at some places and while they are more expensive tungsten will outlast any BB or even tumbling media as tungsten is used in most high end steel cutting tools & it doesn't corrode. It would be expensive to fill a real tumbler with one but the media would literally last a lifetime. If anyone ever does do this is must be taken into consideration that tungsten is extremely heavy compared to steel or stainless as it is closer to the weight of lead then steel, so your tumbler has to be heavy duty enough to handle the weight of it... 👍
Can i tumble cuban and figaro link chains? Can it damage sharp edges on it? In other words i don't want to get them curvy afterwards like they are with miami cuban link chains.
Yes, you can tumble most large chain styles. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Thanks, what kind of capacity tumbler would be best for chains such as up to 300g, i have some very big sterling silver chains at 15mm width and various lengths 22,24,26''?
You should ask for advice from either the manufacturer or supplier you intend to purchase your tumbler from. They would be able to help you make the best choice to suit your needs. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Yes, will do! Thanks !
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy One last question though!
Everytime when i buy new chains, they are super shiny even inside the links when you put the chain in a fist, there's as lot of shine even on the insides(they werent rhodium plated) now, when i take my chains for cleaning to jewelry shop each year, the outsides of links are shinier, but insides not, what could be the issue here? Is it possible they didnt leave the chains enough long in a tumbler, cause they are never that shiny on the inside as every new chain i buy.
You referred to burnishing and cleaninh. What's the difference please?
Burnishing refers to a process of bringing a shine to a surface by rubbing it. The shot in your tumbler is shiny. As it passes over the surface of your piece, it rubs your item and gives a shine to your jewelry. Cleaning is merely the removal of dirt and grime. The tumbling solution is a formulation that will help to clean the surfaces of your piece.
Thanks for your support! : )
Listen to Professor Ahr - it is very important to let that cola be VERY flat before using. Last year I thought a few hours open in a can was enough- it wasn’t LOL. Cola ALLLLLL over the machine, counter and floor.
Thanks for posting your personal experience. You might have just saved someone from hours of sticky cleanup. 😀
How and when is tumbling necessary (question from a beginner who knows nothing about tumbling)? If it’s just to create a high shine then why wouldn’t you just do ordinary polishing?
Hi getmedieval, Welcome to the world of jewelry and metal arts. Tumbling is a means for work hardening metals after you've finished soldering them together. Tumbling also provides a means for shining up detailed or textured surfaces that might be diminished by a mechanized polishing wheel. There are all sorts of tumbling systems that use a wide variety of tumbling media. Generally, tumbling is used in industry to mass finish pieces. The OJA has over 300 video in its playlist that will help you to get more familiar with the craft. You can find the playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
Thanks for your support! : )
🙏🙏🙏
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😀
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You’re welcome. Thanks for watching! 😀
Can you also tumble rocks without a tumbler?
Yes, if you have a steep enough hill in your backyard.
Thanks for your support! : )