Rock Tumbler for corroded Beach Coins

[Danny Depp]

Can I get a recommendation for a rock Tumbler to clean all of my corroded beach coins. I noticed they really very in price I just want something that will work and be reliable thank you.

 

[WaterWalker]

Lortone 3A Single Barrel Tumbler about $120... my 3 lb tumbler has been tumbling for 20 years and still going strong. 4 hours per load works well for me.

Chicago Electric Power Tools 67631 Rotary Rock Tumbler, 3 lb about $60... a favorite for the price, no problems from those that run one, that I have heard of.

6 lb models of the above Lortone and the Thumler below sell for at the $150 range.

Model A-R12 Rock Tumbler (12 LB) about $200 for bigger loads

My new, never run, 18 lb. vibratory machine about $165. A recent gift. It will do in one load in what my Lortone 3A would take 6 loads to do.

Thumlers U*V18 (18 Lb) lists for $530

For me the ceramic small pyramid media with a table spoon of Boraxo dose a nice job in about 4 hours.
Fish tank gravel worked well also.
DO NOT mix copper (all pennies) and clad coins, the clad will take on the copper color.
DO NOT overload the tumber - follow manufacturer's instructions.

 

[rottonr]

I use Harbor freight's cheapest Chicago Electric tumbler and it lasts for many many years.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

If those zinc pennies have been lost for any length of time they will never clean up enough to be spendable. I tumble mine and then sort out the real bad ones and place them in the trash

You can find coupons for Harbor Freight that gets you 20 percent off the price of a tumbler.

Guys laugh at me but i purchase Chicken "Grit" from a farm supply store and use it as the abrasive in the tumbler. It is actually small pieces of rock that farmers feet their chickens to help them grind their food.

 

[tvr]

Chicken "Grit" from a farm supply store

That is a great idea. I've been using aquarium gravel, since I had a bit of it on hand after taking down the aquariums; but eventually I will go through my supply and need something else.

 

[Danny Depp]

Thank you so much for the info!

 

[Goldstrike]

I use play sand (it's usually finer than beach sand). Add just a very little bit of water and a little Dawn liquid dish soap..It does a great job cleaning the crud off coins! I'll throw corroded zinc pennies straight into the trash. I don't like to bother with them.

 

[Bushmeister]

It's hard to beat the price of Harbor Freight. Us the coupon as mentioned above.

 

[Mark kus]

I use play sand (it's usually finer than beach sand). Add just a very little bit of water and a little Dawn liquid dish soap..It does a great job cleaning the crud off coins! I'll throw corroded zinc pennies straight into the trash. I don't like to bother with them.

Buy one of these the best and a pound of stainless steel shot add a little CLR and water and watch them shine!
These are before and after 52 yo ID bracelet lost on beach which after cleaning it found the owner and returned it
Story aired on NBC 30 in ct

 

[TinCanBeach]

I also have the Thumler’s Tumbler with two barrels. Great tumbler made in the USA!

 

[Digger 45]

Purchase about 2 lbs of stainless steel shot, this will cut the time down that you have to run the tumbler and will clean up much better that other materials. Works great on silver but don't use on valuable old coins

 

[an khe]

Was just wondering what size of stainless shot you are using?and how much shot you put in the number, thanks