Is tumbling beads a good idea or not?

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

Now I have managed nice neat cores in my BHBs thanks to all your tips I'd like to be able to do a nice even polish on the inside. I can do the dome part with a burnisher but inside is a bit more difficult. I know I could polish the silver beautifully in my tumble polisher with stainless shot and barreling compound but then I'm thinking that a bunch of glass beads knocking against each other may damage the glass or dull the surface and maybe even take off the shiny surface of silver glass. I think one at a time might be ok as the shot is less likely to damage but that will take forever!

So, before I sacrifice a bunch of beads has anyone tried before and what were the results? If I'm to be the first I will try and share the outcome  but no point trying if we know its a non starter

Hx

[chipperpottery]

so pleased you are getting on with your corer.

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

so pleased you are getting on with your corer.

took me a while but I got there! Measurements were my problem. I'm adding 1mm each side but I realise actually that although that sounds skimpy I'm actually adding more than I realise because I'm not measuring the depth of the hole but the thickness of the bead and as the puccers are lying lower I'm really adding more but the bead thickness plus 2mm gives a nice neat finish for me I'm lazy, its easier to measure using the caliper on the outside.

Just need to shiny them up now!

[chipperpottery]

Yes I would like to know the answer as well, only I have a few bracelets with beads that need cleaning up.

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

Yes I would like to know the answer as well, only I have a few bracelets with beads that need cleaning up.

I have a few less than perfect ones that I will have a go on tonight, will check after a few hours then try overnight and let you know what happens!

[mizgeorge]

I either mag polish or tumble pretty much everything other than heavily etched beads. If a bead isn't tough enough to take tumbling, then it's not good enough to be worn as jewellery IMO.

[chipperpottery]

Thanks George. I have P.M you.

Rita

[Blue Box Studio]

I sold my tumbler and bought a Bumble Bee mag polisher instead.  Manda says I need smaller pins than came with it, which I'll sort when I know which ones she recommends but on it's first trial out it's worked wonders on the couple of beads I had cored.  My rings look a bit better too.

[ARBeads]

I tumble happily. On the measuring side I stand the bead on end and place tube up the centre vertically and mark bead width on the tube using a sharpie,  I then add required overlap x2 to this and remark - no calipers required.

[mizgeorge]

Sue, it was me that recommended the little mag polisher to Manda

The pins that come with it are far too big IMO. I recommend Manchester Minerals product code 94-091, which are much smaller. Make sure you condition your pins by running them on their own a few times to remove any sharp ends. I like Sutton's brightening fluid for mine too, which gives a lovely finish.

The magnetic polisher does leave a very slightly matte finish though - I still hand polish if I want a bright shine, and still use a tumbler to finish almost everything.

[hollergrafik]

Sue, it was me that recommended the little mag polisher to Manda

The pins that come with it are far too big IMO. I recommend Manchester Minerals product code 94-091, which are much smaller. Make sure you condition your pins by running them on their own a few times to remove any sharp ends. I like Sutton's brightening fluid for mine too, which gives a lovely finish.

The magnetic polisher does leave a very slightly matte finish though - I still hand polish if I want a bright shine, and still use a tumbler to finish almost everything.

I can highly recommend these little pins from MM, do a great job

[Blue Box Studio]

Sue, it was me that recommended the little mag polisher to Manda

The pins that come with it are far too big IMO. I recommend Manchester Minerals product code 94-091, which are much smaller. Make sure you condition your pins by running them on their own a few times to remove any sharp ends. I like Sutton's brightening fluid for mine too, which gives a lovely finish.

The magnetic polisher does leave a very slightly matte finish though - I still hand polish if I want a bright shine, and still use a tumbler to finish almost everything.

Well I'm glad you did, my Lortone lived on a shelf and was too heavy for me (with my 'gammy arm') to keep getting down so I never used it, and the Bumble Bee is so much smaller it can live on the table top. Pins and brightening fluid now ordered.  Manda said just a drop was enough?  So this should keep mje going for a lifetime.

[mizgeorge]

I use about half a dozen drops from a pipette for each session. I reckon I've gone through less than 1/6th of my litre bottle in the last 2 years.

[MangoBeads]

Sue, it was me that recommended the little mag polisher to Manda

The pins that come with it are far too big IMO. I recommend Manchester Minerals product code 94-091, which are much smaller. Make sure you condition your pins by running them on their own a few times to remove any sharp ends. I like Sutton's brightening fluid for mine too, which gives a lovely finish.

The magnetic polisher does leave a very slightly matte finish though - I still hand polish if I want a bright shine, and still use a tumbler to finish almost everything.

... and its always you I quote when I pass on the little gem recommendation George its such an amazing bit of kit and we wouldn't be without ours I think the Bumble Bee makers should offer you a commission !

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

I either mag polish or tumble pretty much everything other than heavily etched beads. If a bead isn't tough enough to take tumbling, then it's not good enough to be worn as jewellery IMO.

You are right and I use this theory on my silver items, if it comes out still nice and sturdy after an overnight tumble I have so much more confidence in it. I will now apply it to the beads

Thank you all once again
Hx