'fraid I am back with more questions :)
Wondered if anyone could recommend a small tumbler - I will be using it for findings and small silver components and possibly the odd earring, bracelet or necklace. Money is a consideration.
Also, can you tumble finished lampworked bead jewellery - surely it would scratch the beads?
I also need a ball pein hammer, mainly for wire work findings. See they have them on Cooksons and wondered if theirs are OK or if I should look elsewhere.
Many thanks. feel I need to go on a course but money tight and George rather a long way away :(
Sarah
Make sure you get a tumbler with a rubber drum, hobby raft do hammers but you will probably do better on ebay
I bought my tumbler from cooksons; this on - http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Metal-Barrelling-Starter-Kit-With--3lb-Machine-prcode-999-600K (http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Metal-Barrelling-Starter-Kit-With--3lb-Machine-prcode-999-600K) it is a little pricey but tbh I struggled to find anything better. The only gripe that I have is that the shot it comes with isn't stainless steel so I have to remove it and dry it each time I am finished or it starts to rust and a bag of stainless steel is £75....
For hammers I have looked at whats on ebay and cooksons and have purchased from both. I recommend ebay as the price is usually a lot lower thank cooksons and postage is usually free. Ebay is not always best but I do tend to get my hammers from there. Just make sure you read the sizes... I ordered a hammer thinking it was a decent weight and size and it was tiny - I didn't read the description properly :P
The best value tumblers are probably from UKGE, but I can't say I particularly like them.
I'd always recommend a Lortone, which is the workhorse of tumblers. Mine's on pretty much every day, and has been for about 10 years now, and has never, ever let me down. You can happily tumble lampwork beads - glass is about the same hardness as shot, and is pretty difficult to damage. You do need to be careful if you have lots of lumps and bumps that could get knocked about, but it's a pretty good test of durability!
You can also use your tumbler with abrasive (I just use cut up bits of wet and dry paper, but grit works well too) to frost beads as a chemical-free alternative to etching.
I've never found a stainless steel shot mix I like in the UK, but the one from Rio Grande comes in below customs limit and is excellent quality.
For a ball pein, a 4oz DIY one is fine - I think I got my last one for about 3 quid in the local hardware store. You do need to spend a bit of time dressing the surfaces - round off the edges of the flat face and smooth out any dings. I use micromesh for this, but there are plenty of alternatives. I have some really good specialist hammers, but still find myself reaching for the good old one an awful lot of the time.
Where abouts are you Sarah? I do a very pretty good rate on b&b with tuition ;)
Manchester minerals did a good deal on stainless shot a few months ago - worth checking them out for shot and tumblers
Many thanks for replies, will invest in tumbler - Palmer's do a Lortone and buy a cheap ball pein.
George, I am in Suffolk but will be moving to Wales later in the year so I believe will be closer to you for silver masterclass !
Sarah
That would be lovely Sarah - I'll look forward to it!
Update - bought a Lortone.
Just missed out on a second hand one on the bay so impetuously splurged on a double barreled from Palmer's - yes George, now I am double barreled too :D! !
Shot on way from US of A - just have to make something worthy of putting in it now!
Sarah
Great choice Sarah - you'll be able to keep one barrel for shot and use the other for grits if you want to tumble etch beads without worrying about perfect rinsing out to use for metal.
Have fun with it!
Used tumbler with Rio Grande shot last night - brilliant!
Lovely shine and some deburring will have to work on making technique though as tool marks on wire still evident.
Many thanks
I too have a lortone tumbler and ss shot from the US... both last for ever ;D