Okay got my tumbler. Now what?

[Mr. Digger]

I must have been a good boy because Santa brought me the 3 lb rock tumbler form Harbor Freight I had asked for...and he delivered it early! Now what? Besides the obvious clad, what should I try tumbling? Wondering about:

-Smoothie LC's and coppers?
-Colonial and other early buckles?
-Flat or dandy buttons?
-Old brass locks?
-Skeleton keys?
-Crotal bells?

Are items like these a no no in the tumbler or should I give it a try?

 

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[G.I.B.]

I threw a rusty socket set in mine with some beach sand and fish tank gravel.

Couple of hours later, good as new.

You can also use it to mix drinks at the Christmas party.

 

[mick56]

I have a Lortone tumbler with a 7" diameter drum. Anything that fits in it, I tumble.

 

[Frankn]

Try different medias. I have plastic, aluminum oxide, beach sand (mild sand), foundry sand ( very abrasive) plus some iron filings I mixed. Start with a mild media on good objects. For relics I usually have to hit them hard. On good coins I might use walnut or corn grindings. Keep a list of the effectiveness of each on certain type objects to save time. Just some thoughts to get you started. Frank

 

[whammy]

Just remember to keep pennies by themselves, or any other coins you put in with them will have a nice copper color.

 

[fmrUSMC_0844]

I tumble my clad and the occasional Indian Head I find. I use aquarium gravel and soap and water. Cleans them up good enough for the coin machine at the bank. I wouldnt put anything in the tumbler you are afraid will come apart or possibly ruin the item or the value of the item. Yes I run my IHP's through it but I wouldnt run an 1877 IHP through it! Use your best judgement on what to run through it. I do love mine! got it from harbor freight 4 years ago and still tumbling good!

 

[RON (PA)]

I don't tumble anything but clad in my tumbler, and of course pennies always go by themselves.

 

[diggingthe1]

Give old purple glass a try, it doesn't take long. Use a medium grit and then a polish!!! I have been having fun! It helps if you keep metal outf the glass! I alsomis brass and copper doesn't seem to matter! Happy tumbling!