Back to Home Page   USING A ROTATING TUMBLER FOR YOUR  JEWELRY CREATIONS  Most any tumbler brand can be used. I use a Single Barrel Lortone Model 3A rotary jewelry tumbler with a 3-pound capacity. 1-2 lbs Stainless steel shot -mix-any size & mixture. With any other brand I would imagine the tumbling steps would be similar. Unscrew the nut on the top of the barrel. Remove the metal washer. Remove the outer metal lid. If the lid is difficult to remove, insert the washer into the area between the lip of the lid and the barrel and twist to lift the lid away from the barrel. Work all the way around the lid to loosen until the lid can be removed Pull the center bolt on the inside lid to expose the inside of the barrel. Place the items beings tumbled into the barrel. Fill the barrel with 2 lbs of shot. Add jewelry. Add burnishing compound (I dilute a mixture of blue DAWN liquid dish soap using 1 squirt) Add water to the barrel until it's filled to just above the shot and the jewelry. Replace the inner lid, the metal outer lid, the washer then the nut until the lid is secure. Tighten the nut by hand, not with tools. Plug the tumbler in, then place the barrel onto the rollers, lining up the groove in the nut with the guide on the base of the tumbler. I place an old towel underneath the tumbler to lessen the noise factor and should there be any leakage, the towel will absorb it. Let the tumbler run for 20 minutes then check progress. If needed, run the tumbler longer until the desired finish is achieved. Dump the stainless steel shot and jewelry into a fine mesh strainer or sieve. Remove the jewelry components and rinse them with water until no residue remains. Let dry. Return the shot to the tumbler barrel for storage or leave it in the sieve undisturbed until it is dry, then place in a zip-top bag. Dispose the water in the bucket as you would other wash water.