Latest Tumbled Rinds with a Silver Surprise!

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I found all of these items on the last hunt I posted here on Sept. 11. I've pictured the before & after pics of the finds!
I tested the 'cleaned' engraved pocket watch case ... turns out it's 'Sterling Silver'!
If any of you guys out there feel that finds should not be cleaned or restored like this please let me know, as I'm interested in hearing peoples opinions either for or against what I'm doing.

Personally, the reason I tumble my 'junk' brass, iron and copper relics is to make them more presentable for display.
I won't tumble anything that might be rare or have any historical value ... believe me I've already learned that lesson!

Thanks for looking and best of luck to you!
Dave

 

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[Pointman]

Anything worth more than scrap value and the condition is dependent on price (e.g. coin) I would not tumble, but after seeing your neat brass pieces, I think that I will have to buy a tumbler just to see what I can make perty.

 

[Gridwalker306]

Hey that's cool! I don't think cleaning jewelry/relics is that bad, unless of course it's historically significant or super rare. I personally don't like seeing cleaned coins that don't need to be cleaned beyond water and a gentle tooth brushing.

 

[Evolution]

Wow. They look great after the tumbling. Love that shiny brass color. As you said, a no no with objects with historical value. (just wanted to put that disclaimer in there, as you did).

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Told you that watch case was good ! Doubt it hurt it, whats your tumbling setup again?

 

[joncooper1986]

Interesting on the spigot piece. I grew up a couple towns over from Haydenville, Ma and play golf there often!

 

[dig kzoo]

Well those turned out nice, I see no reason not to tumble them unless as you stated they are rare / historic value.
HH!

 

[bootybandit]

Those cleaned up real nice!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Anything worth more than scrap value and the condition is dependent on price (e.g. coin) I would not tumble, but after seeing your neat brass pieces, I think that I will have to buy a tumbler just to see what I can make perty.

One way to look at it is ... how do you know what you've got unless you clean it thoroughly!
Dave

Hey that's cool! I don't think cleaning jewelry/relics is that bad, unless of course it's historically significant or super rare. I personally don't like seeing cleaned coins that don't need to be cleaned beyond water and a gentle tooth brushing.

I'm totally of the same opinion when it comes to coins, using a soft toothbrush and liquid dish soap is all I use as well Cache!
Thanks for your post my friend,
Dave

Wow. They look great after the tumbling. Love that shiny brass color. As you said, a no no with objects with historical value. (just wanted to put that disclaimer in there, as you did).

Thanks very much for your post Evolution!
I realize this might be a sensitive topic when it comes to 'how to clean your finds', but I think it's a valid point.
Dave

Told you that watch case was good ! Doubt it hurt it, whats your tumbling setup again?

The watch was definitely a nice surprise CRM!
I had a feeling when I found it that the inner case was brass and the outer case was silver, but I would never have know for sure if I hadn't tumbled it!
I use a Lortone 45C Tumbler, with 1/2" - 3/4" polished aquarium gravel, 3 tablespoons of beach sand, liquid dish soap & hot water ... I only tumble with the sand mixture for 6 - 12 hours to clean off the heavy corrosion.
Dave

Interesting on the spigot piece. I grew up a couple towns over from Haydenville, Ma and play golf there often!

Thanks for your post Jon, it's actually a gas valve for a residential interior light!
I did a Google Image search for a pic of the Haydenville Factory and the town looks beautiful!
I'll post a pic of the building at the bottom of this post.
Dave

Well those turned out nice, I see no reason not to tumble them unless as you stated they are rare / historic value.
HH!

Thanks for your post kzoo!
I'm glad to hear that you agree as well.
Best of luck to you,
Dave

Those cleaned up real nice!

Thank you Sir!

 

[CRUSADER]

With what your doing, its not an issue. But if your not sure, don't risk it.

So was the watch solid silver? (they are often plated?)

 

[dirtlooter]

hey they looked really great, and it is something that one has to be careful with but sometimes the object is so rough or cruddy looking as it is. nice post

 

[MUDSLINGER]

heck anytime you can improve the appearance of something others may dismiss as junk does not offend me. Of course coins is a tougher call because i usually want a readable date to show people and sometimes that can only be achieved with some form of cleaning. an unreadable 1916d merc is just another crusty dime unless you bravely take the next step. So go for it.

 

[Old Dude]

I discovered this quarter after tumbling my clad last year. Apparently it fooled me into thinking it was something it wasn't, lol.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

With what your doing, its not an issue. But if your not sure, don't risk it.

So was the watch solid silver? (they are often plated?)

Thanks for your post Cru!
After tumbling my finds I noticed a hinge on the side of the ladies silver pocket watch, I then pried the back open and noticed it was stamped .935. The watch had a brass cover against the engraved silver outside cover, this inside brass cover is also engraved with a name. I currently have both of these pieces tumbling again in an attempt to remove the remaining corrosion to better read the inscription.
I'll post pics of these tomorrow when they're cleaned up!
Dave

hey they looked really great, and it is something that one has to be careful with but sometimes the object is so rough or cruddy looking as it is. nice post

I hear you dirtlooter, some relics do look best in their 'natural as-found state', I certainly don't want the relics to 'look new' either.
But if I'm going to display them I don't feel I'm taking anything away from them by properly cleaning them either.
Thanks for your post and for giving me your opinion,
Dave

heck anytime you can improve the appearance of something others may dismiss as junk does not offend me. Of course coins is a tougher call because i usually want a readable date to show people and sometimes that can only be achieved with some form of cleaning. an unreadable 1916d merc is just another crusty dime unless you bravely take the next step. So go for it.

I completely agree with with you MUDSLINGER that, "anytime you can improve the appearance of something others may dismiss as junk" is a good thing!
Cleaning coins is definitely something I'd never do, I'll leave that up to the guy I sell it too!
Best of luck to you bud,
Dave

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I discovered this quarter after tumbling my clad last year. Apparently it fooled me into thinking it was something it wasn't, lol.

Very cool Dave!
This is exactly what I'm talking about finding when you tumble your finds!
Congrats bud!

Here are a couple of pics of the ladies silver pocket watch prior to going back into the tumbler at 7pm this evening.
Dave

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Here are pics of the 'now clean' watch with the makers information on this piece.

It's marked 0.800 (coin silver) and is Made in Germany c1900.
Brass cover inside is marked 'Cylindre / 10 Rubies'.

Thanks for looking,
Dave

 

[Pointman]

What can I say?

After seeing your pics, I plunked down and got a good deal on a Lortone tumbler on Feebay today. I have some really nice brass that will look cool tumbled and put on display. Keep us posted on your tumbled surprises!

Thanks.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

What can I say?

After seeing your pics, I plunked down and got a good deal on a Lortone tumbler on Feebay today. I have some really nice brass that will look cool tumbled and put on display. Keep us posted on your tumbled surprises!

Thanks.

Congrats on making the decision to buy a Lortone!
Make sure you check the belt tension after about 6 months, they tend to loosen up.

I use 1/2" - 3/4" polished aquarium gravel, 3 tablespoons of beach sand, liquid dish soap & hot water ... I only tumble with the sand mixture for 6 - 12 hours to clean off the heavy corrosion.
Best of luck and I look forward to seeing the 'before & after' results!
Dave

 

[Dagger Woods]

Hi Dave! Of course you know I'm late to this thread, but count me in as thinking you're not doing anything wrong... I'd do it exactly the same way. Those things clean up really nicely, and if doing so increases your enjoyment of the hobby whose to say that's wrong? You find 'em, you deal with 'em how you like. I think seeing the before & after pics is one of the best parts... the 'before' pics would be a neat addition to any display.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Hi Dave! Of course you know I'm late to this thread, but count me in as thinking you're not doing anything wrong... I'd do it exactly the same way. Those things clean up really nicely, and if doing so increases your enjoyment of the hobby whose to say that's wrong? You find 'em, you deal with 'em how you like. I think seeing the before & after pics is one of the best parts... the 'before' pics would be a neat addition to any display.

Thanks very much for your post and for your support Dagger!
I feel that if finds are cleaned respectfully and properly and as long as your not cleaning historically valuable objects then why not tumble!

I know some people would disagree with my opinion and I would love to hear from those Tnet members who chose not to clean their finds and why.
Dave