Got me some rock tumblers

[Stoof2010]

Again, be careful what cleaners you use. The suds cause pressure. Makes quite a mess.

 

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[Electricfrontporch]

About how many coins can you put in each drum of the double?

 

[Vern2]

Just ordered a double tumbler from HF. $49.99. While I was at it ordered 48 AA alkaline batteries for $9.98 total, with coupon.
Great deal.

 

[digger27]

I use aquarium gravel, a drop or two of dishwashing soap, and the secret to keeping down the pressure is just a tiny bit of low sudsing ammonia.
Helps in cleaning and reduces the pressure down to almost nothing.

About how many coins can you put in each drum of the double?

Quite a few.
I fill up each drum at least half way, with coins and gravel, add detergent, ammonia and just enough water to barely cover.
Then I weigh the drum on a big kitchen scale making sure I never exceed 3lbs per drum.
If low I just add more coins till I hit that 3lb mark.

Doing it this way I have cleaned about $800-$1000 worth of clad and many other objects and it took over 5 years for me to break the original belt.
I believe the thing probably broke just due to old age and not stress.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Doing it this way I have cleaned about $800-$1000 worth of clad and many other objects and it took over 5 years for me to break the original belt.
I believe the thing probably broke just due to old age and not stress.

That's really good info there. I really do need to buy a spare though.

 

[Stoof2010]

About how many coins can you put in each drum of the double?

I didn't count. But quite a few. Maybe 1/4-1/3 of the barrel. Probably 1/4 is better then gravel up to 2/3 of barrel or so. Don't want it to be too heavy.

 

[Stoof2010]

Just ordered a double tumbler from HF. $49.99. While I was at it ordered 48 AA alkaline batteries for $9.98 total, with coupon.
Great deal.

With the coupon at the store it's 40 with the 20% off. But still not bad.

 

[Stoof2010]

I figure as I have enough to do it I'll clean as I go. I did a whole lot from last year and I'd rather just run them when I get enough for a cycle.

 

[Vern2]

That's right.

 

[Vern2]

Took delivery on a double barrel tumbler from Harbor Frieght, on Monday.
Today I tumbled a around a lb or more of pennies and another with q, d, and n.
After 2 hours, I removed the coins. They were very clean, and could read the dates and all appear spendable.
The pennies were all very brown or copper colored looking. The others are a shade of greenish brown. Some have an almost yellow tint.
Here was my formula :
Dash of salt, drop of DW liquid, spoonful vinegar, splash of ammonia, some rough non colored aquarium rocks. Covered with water just above rocks. Little less than 3 lbs in both.
Uncovered both barrels after 10 min to release gas or air.

The aquarium rocks are brownish, so I figured these are unpainted rocks. Maybe the rocks are painted this color to appear natural. I don't know. There was nothing written on the bag otherwise.
What do you guys think?
And why do you think the q, d, and n, turned greenish?

 

[Stoof2010]

Lol because you didn't use a splash of clr.... Lol

I also add salt, coarse kosher salt. Forgot to mention that before maybe. But on the q d and n clad I definitely use a splash of CLR but I don't use ammonia. Not sure how it reacts plus I don't have any ammonia lol.
But I found, at least for the q d and n clad that CLR helps a lot.

And I can't tell you if they are painted. The ones I got ate kinda on the small side and have different types and colors of rocks. You can tell by looking at them they are natural plus the directions say to rinse them because of the dust on them from rubbing each other In transit.

 

[Stoof2010]

Keep using your rocks until they start to get smooth, then change. The toughness does the grunt work.

But like I said, I only need them clean enough for either the machine to accept them or to be spendable

 

[bottlebum]

OxiClean works great for cleaning clads. No tumbler needed.

 

[Vern2]

Stefan, what does CLR stand for?

 

[steve1357]

Stefan, what does CLR stand for?

Calcium
Lime
Rust

CLR cleaners are available from many suppliers, name brand and generic....

Usually has "CLR" on the label somewhere...

 

[T.C.]

That's really good info there. I really do need to buy a spare though.

Shawn and "the crew" at the Rock Shed is where I buy belts, lid gaskets etc. Great people that will work with you and reasonable prices too!

 

[T.C.]

The best combination I've found for cleaning clad is lemon juice and salt. Does a great job and easy cleanup afterwards. No gravel, no sand, no walnut shells.....cheap, simple and easy cleanup!

 

[Vern2]

The best combination I've found for cleaning clad is lemon juice and salt. Does a great job and easy cleanup afterwards. No gravel, no sand, no walnut shells.....cheap, simple and easy cleanup!

Are you using this formula in a tumbler? If so. How much lemon juice, salt, cleaning time?

 

[Vern2]

Calcium
Lime
Rust

CLR cleaners are available from many suppliers, name brand and generic....

Usually has "CLR" on the label somewhere...

View attachment 1445078

Thanks Steve. I think I'll buy some CLR today and run the coins again for about 45 min, just for GP.
Gotta see what happens. Raining here anyway.

 

[Stoof2010]

The best combination I've found for cleaning clad is lemon juice and salt. Does a great job and easy cleanup afterwards. No gravel, no sand, no walnut shells.....cheap, simple and easy cleanup!

No water?
That's alot of lemon juice!!!
Where can I get quantities of lemon juice like that for cheap?
My interest is peaked!!