Rock Tumbler

[RonZ]

Got a rock tumbler this past Christmas for my coin finds and such. Just want to know what kind of medium I should use to get the best results.

Thanks,
RonZ

 

[bootyhoundpa]

If its just everyday clad coinage alot of people use aquarium gravel as it will speed up the process. . you dont have to use any medium if you dont want to.. just the like sized and like composition coins by them selfs works too.. i usually add water,coins a little gravel and a few drops of lemon dish liquid.... check progress every few hours till you know how it will react... often i will let them tumble over night and check in the morning...

 

[Larry (IL)]

Yep, that is just how I do it too. I will use sand, regular or I had a bag of pool filter sand that worked good too. I have even used driveway gravel in a pinch and it worked fine as well. I will do pennies separately and instead of tumbling them, I put them in a large glass jar with vinegar and shake them a few times an hour and they are usually done in an hour or two. The silver colored coins I tumble for 12 hours.

This is how mine turn out:

 

[HaroldILL.]

And who says clad Hunting doesn't pay!

 

[Elton]

I find Fish aquarium small pebbles work very well.. Never use the same stones on copper and silver...

 

[purplesage]

I tried a recipe last night and ran the tumbler for 45 minutes and was amazed at the results. I need to give a shout-out to T.C. for posting his recipe. You only need enough lemon juice to cover the coins (3-4 oz) and about 3 tablespoons of salt. After 45 minutes the coins came out like new. Well at least 99% did. I then reused the concoction to clean the pennies. This method is the way to go. I paid a little over $2 for the lemon juice and you get 2 containers of salt for a dollar at the local Dollar General store. You can clean about 16 batches of coins with a 32oz bottle if you do your silver 1st and then reuse the same mixture for the pennies.

Please try this, you will be amazed at the results. Rinse out the barrel and you're done!

 

[RonZ]

All very interesting solutions. I will give them all a shot.

Now what about making "rocks" smooth? I have some rough shape quartz. Red, Purple, White I'd like to get the rough edges off of. Basically for any stone.

 

[Larry (IL)]

All very interesting solutions. I will give them all a shot.

Now what about making "rocks" smooth? I have some rough shape quartz. Red, Purple, White I'd like to get the rough edges off of. Basically for any stone.

Tumbling rocks is a whole different process, you will need rock tumbling medium in various grades. Look up Silicon Carbide Grit, Polish and Accessories.

 

[JaBo]

Thanks for the recipe of lemon juice and salt. I have used aquarium rocks and dish detergent in the past but will look forward to trying the lemon juice and salt

 

[purplesage]

No problem!! What I like about it is the short time it takes and the easy clean up!!

 

[JaBo]

Just to clarify, Did you use aquarium rocks with this recipe or just the lemon juice and salt? thanks

 

[purplesage]

....just lemon juice, salt and coins!! Do the pennies separate in the same solution.

 

[JaBo]

Got it. Looking forward to giving this a try. thanks again

 

[stephenscool]

I tried a recipe last night and ran the tumbler for 45 minutes and was amazed at the results. I need to give a shout-out to T.C. for posting his recipe. You only need enough lemon juice to cover the coins (3-4 oz) and about 3 tablespoons of salt. After 45 minutes the coins came out like new. Well at least 99% did. I then reused the concoction to clean the pennies. This method is the way to go. I paid a little over $2 for the lemon juice and you get 2 containers of salt for a dollar at the local Dollar General store. You can clean about 16 batches of coins with a 32oz bottle if you do your silver 1st and then reuse the same mixture for the pennies.

Please try this, you will be amazed at the results. Rinse out the barrel and you're done!

are you supposed to add hot water or just the lemon juice?

 

[purplesage]

No hot water.....just lemon juice and salt!!

 

[stephenscool]

Cool... Will give it a try. I wonder what would happen if the lemon juice is boiling hot.. Probably just speed it up a bit