Recently I bought a Thumler rotary tumbler like the one pictured at the left on this page. I've been running my entire production of beads through it, a batch at a time. After a great deal of mucking around with beach sand and sandpaper chips and after complete failure to see any visible results from them, I threw in the proverbial towel and bought a bag of smooth river pebbles from a $2 shop. They work great!!! A hundred or so loose white stones, average diameter 20 to 30 mm; the beads; a drop of dish soap; and water. Tumble for 8 to 12 hours and they come up shining like pearls. Will post a few photos when I get more time.

I'm delighted, and it sure beats slouching at the sink hand-sanding dozens of small beads with several different grits of sandpaper. No sore back, no chafed hands, no mess to clean up. It's fantastic.

[/satisfied customer]


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~ Linda ~

http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/Typical_Virgo/ - album last updated 22 Nov 2009

Hey Lind, that's really cool to know. I couldn't see any prices on the tumblers though. Do you mind if I ask how much you paid? I've thought about getting a tumbler for a couple of years now but just haven't gotten around to it. Are they very noisy or not? Can't wait to see the shine on those beads.


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Debbie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiecrothers/

Linda how much was postage from the USA for that?

Debbie prices are on this page - in US$


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http://www.ergaia.com/

I've got a vibratory tumbler from a gun shop. I use river pebbles too, but I still have to use the dremel to polish. Maybe if I had a batch of very smooth pebbles I could spare myself the dremel job too.
Vibratory tumblers come at many price categories and can be found in gun shops. They are not very loud, more a constantmovement of pebbles sound - I keep it in the garage when it's on.


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Sabine
www.papagodesign.com
http://www.redbubble.com/search/papagodesign
The artful correspondence of Frederic and Kate, a cat and mouse saga by Eaves Dropped
http://www.papagodesign.com/artful_correspondence.html

My tumbler came from House of Jewellery in Sydney. The shop was recommended by a friend who is a manufacturing jeweller. Even though I'm more of a hobbyist than a professional, they were exceptionally nice and helpful, and very quick with my order as well. I paid just under AUD$390 including shipping, which seemed like a lot at the time, but has been worth it in terms of time and effort saved.

I've found that some batches of beads require a lot more tumbling time than 8 to 12 hours. Depending on the size and shape, they might need 24 hours or longer. I operate the tumbler in my garage where it's cool and well ventilated and the noise (which is as Sabine described, a sort of steady clicking/grinding noise combined with the sound of the motor) won't bother anyone. I don't use it at night because the motor tends to run a bit hot, and I like to keep an eye on it. No problems so far, though.

Must remember to post some photos soon.


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~ Linda ~

http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/Typical_Virgo/ - album last updated 22 Nov 2009

Thanks Janet. It does sound like a lot to pay initially but I guess as you say Linda worth the money when you save so much time. Will have a bit more of a think about it. Yes.....definately want to see what you create Linda.


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Debbie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiecrothers/

The tumbler in action.



Two batches of beads after about 16 hours' tumbling each.





Another batch not yet tumbled. Will post "after" pics when they are done.




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~ Linda ~

http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/Typical_Virgo/ - album last updated 22 Nov 2009

Here's what those pomegranate beads look like after about 20 hours in the tumbler.



The brain-cane beads came out nicely, too. Cylinder beads seem to polish up the best of any of the bead shapes I've tried so far.




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~ Linda ~

http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/ss225/Typical_Virgo/ - album last updated 22 Nov 2009