I got a HF rock tumbler

[Goes4ever]

tried it out last night, I did a batch of pennies, about 200 or so, I did not count them...lol

I used gravel, water, and dishwashing soap. I ran them overnight for 6 hours. They do look a lot better and would be accepted anywhere I am sure.

I am trying another batch now, and this time I put in vinegar and salt, gonna run that for 2 hours first, rinse off then add fresh water and soap. I guess I need to experiment with this thing to see what works best.

 

[robert roy]

Show us some before and after photos.
RR

 

[Goes4ever]

Show us some before and after photos.
RR

ok here is a small pile of each, can you tell a difference?

 

[Da Yooper]

I just got a tumbler myself, I used some fine sand and water ran for 2 hours then rinsed then added some bar keepers friend and water ran for 2 more hours. Coins came out pretty good. I got some different compound I'm going to try next. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[Goes4ever]

did they shine a lot more than the ones I posted?

 

[BigCatDaddy]

DON'T use vinegar and salt with corroded zinc pennies!!!! It will blow the top right off your tumbler!!!

 

[Goes4ever]

DON'T use vinegar and salt with corroded zinc pennies!!!! It will blow the top right off your tumbler!!!

now you tell me..lol

it did bloat the tumbler, I opened it and let the gas out, then it was fine.

 

[robert roy]

VERY NICE! Now how about some silver.
Are the HF belts still holding up. I her that when they break you can use thick rubberbands but I don't know what size. Apparently they work just as well as the belts but cheaper.

 

[Goes4ever]

well I just started last nite, and the same belt is still running, I am gonna do all the pennies first then move onto the nickels, dimes, and quarters. I have 2 coffee jars full

 

[robert roy]

How long did it take you to get the tumbler. Did you order on line or find a store in town?
RR

 

[Goes4ever]

I ordered here:
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=tumbler&Submit=Go
they are pretty slow to ship, It took almost 2 weeks, but I am happy with it, I got the 3lb one

 

[robert roy]

Excellent!!!!!

RR

 

[Uncle Willy]

Get the big rubber bands - quarter inch width. They work great and are dirt cheap.

Bill

 

[cwilk]

1/4"' x 3 1/2" work great. I think I posted this before. They last at least 15-20 hours each. Here is the problem. The slowly break down over time and the inside of the tumbler will become covered with sticky bits of rubber. I take mine outside and blow it out every couple of batches.

Chris

 

[robert roy]

Good information to know.
Thanks.
RR

 

[Eu_citzen]

I use sawdust with cerium oxide (and if badly corroded I also add 220 grit)
It is slow but it works great. Sadly I have no pics.

I'm going to try -100 mesh sand with dish soap.