Tumbler media?

[oldmxrat]

Does anyone have a suggestion for tumbler media for prepping filthy clad coins for the coinstar?
Thanks.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Does anyone have a suggestion for tumbler media for prepping filthy clad coins for the coinstar?
Thanks.

Back when I handloaded a great deal I used walnut shell media to tumble brass.Don,t know why it wouldn,t work for coins.

 

[mindcrime1988]

I use aquarium grade stones which work really well. Just make sure to purchase the rounded type. The jagged edge style might be too rough on the coins.

 

[traveller777]

Back when I handloaded a great deal I used walnut shell media to tumble brass.Don,t know why it wouldn,t work for coins.

Walnut grits I use a lot for finishing touches on some things. But if just for coin star why do you not just soak them in lemon juice and baking soda something similar.

 

[Indian Steve]

I just did a bunch with cheap play sand & it worked fine

 

[cudamark]

I use a rock tumbler with coarse aquarium gravel, vinegar, and laundry soap as the media.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Aquarium gravel, CLR, vinegar and a splash of Dawn dish soap in a rock tumbler is what I do, it works great. That reminds me I need to do a load of coins thanks for the reminder.

 

[Gare]

Does anyone have a suggestion for tumbler media for prepping filthy clad coins for the coinstar?
Thanks.

I know of people that would go to walmart and buy the steel Wham-o ball bearings and use that. They told me it worked fantastic with a bit of DAWN SOAP IN with a bit of water

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Dawn soap and aquarium gravel is what I use.

 

[xr7ator]

Forget the gravel. Fill the barrel 1/2 to 2/3rds full with just coins. Do the cent coins seperate. Fill the barrel up to the coin level with lemon juice. Add a couple tablespoons of salt and tumble for about 45 minutes. Rinse with COLD water! Rinsing with warm or hot water will allow the coins to turn rainbow colors from the dark blueish tainted lemon juice.

 

[bubbacat]

I use gravel from my driveway and will throw in a lead fishing weight or two. Wash coins for two short cycles (one to two hours) with gravel, water, and dawn soap. (Rinse each time.) Final wash is gravel and a big splash of limeaway overnight. Last rinse and then dry on fireplace. Make sure pennies are not mixed in with quarters, dimes, and nickels.

I dump dirty water into a large white plastic laundry sink from Lowes which stains badly. Bar Keeper's Friend, a powder, cleans the sink very nicely.

 

[alloy_II]

Back when I handloaded a great deal I used walnut shell media to tumble brass.Don,t know why it wouldn,t work for coins.

A rice would do the same job, could finish up with baking soda for a nice polish.

 

[oldmxrat]

Back when I handloaded a great deal I used walnut shell media to tumble brass.Don,t know why it wouldn,t work for coins.

Yeah, I handload and have lots of that, doesn't do much to clean up clad for some reason.

 

[oldmxrat]

Thanks for all the great responses, much appreciated! I'd just run 'em dirty except the coin machine is in my credit union and it's free. I just don't want them to remove it because it's getting filled with nasty looking clad.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Yeah, I handload and have lots of that, doesn't do much to clean up clad for some reason.

Never tried it myself,just thought it might work.Obviously not!

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Does anyone have a suggestion for tumbler media for prepping filthy clad coins for the coinstar?
Thanks.

I have used sorted/sifted volcanic mudflow. It is very glassy and sharp but breaks down quickly
It really did the job
1/4” or 3/8” or even 1/2” size should do

 

[cudamark]

Aquarium gravel, CLR, vinegar and a splash of Dawn dish soap in a rock tumbler is what I do, it works great. That reminds me I need to do a load of coins thanks for the reminder.

Same here, but, at this point, I may need a cement mixer!

 

[bubbacat]

I have used sorted/sifted volcanic mudflow. It is very glassy and sharp but breaks down quickly
It really did the job
1/4” or 3/8” or even 1/2” size should do

I tried using pumice that came from some volcano in Arizona. Once I managed to get it down to gravel size, it quickly broke down into basically sand in the tumbler. I wasn't too impressed with how it cleaned. I may try it again.

 

[crashbandicoot]

I have used sorted/sifted volcanic mudflow. It is very glassy and sharp but breaks down quickly
It really did the job
1/4” or 3/8” or even 1/2” size should do

Here,s mud in your EYE!! Sorry,I just couldn,t help it! No harm intended.

 

[rogueaviation]

I use the stainless steel pins for tumbling brass in a rock tumbler. A couple hours with some LemiShine dishwasher additive and the brass comes out looking better than new. I would think that zincolns and old coppers would be just a little softer than brass, maybe? So tumbling for an hour may get the job done.

Anyhow...my two cents on cleaning cents. 🤣🤣🤣

--Matt