Need info on the "slurry effect" using tumbler

[Iggyks]

In the past I have tumbled clad and small relics in a cheesy kids-style plastic tumbler from a thrift shop. A couple months ago I had a little money fall in my lap and bought the dual Harbor Freight tumbler. The instructions mention avoiding the slurry effect, which i think means having it packed so full that the media isn't passing over the metal items constantly, more like everything becomes a sludge that just spins around. I am having pretty good results with coins but sometimes not so good with small relics. Looking for tips on how much media to metal items to water you use...

 

[stetam]

In the past I have tumbled clad and small relics in a cheesy kids-style plastic tumbler from a thrift shop. A couple months ago I had a little money fall in my lap and bought the dual Harbor Freight tumbler. The instructions mention avoiding the slurry effect, which i think means having it packed so full that the media isn't passing over the metal items constantly, more like everything becomes a sludge that just spins around. I am having pretty good results with coins but sometimes not so good with small relics. Looking for tips on how much media to metal items to water you use...

Probably 75/25 gravel to contents and I never fill my drums over half full of items/gravel and maybe 1" of water over the top of the contents and it seems to work well.

Steve

 

[cellrdwellr]

Slurry is that brown looking rust bubbly substance that tumbling produces. It has a high residual effect, and over time, could clog your plumbing. That is why they advise NOT emptying the slurry in your inside plumbing. That is my understanding anyway. As for filling amounts, I try not to fill the drums over half way with media, which includes your abrasives. If you overfill the drums with too much media, you can overheat the motor or strip/snap the belt. Then a drop or two of dawn and the rest water. I like to leave at least an 1/2-1" of air space as extra room for slurry, between the top of the water and the lid. Many different options for cleaning mixtures that work efficiently. Your results may vary. Ultimately, experimentation is the best way to find your desired cleaning results.

 

[hoser]

I do mine like CD does. I also go one more step prior to tumbling. I put the coins in a plastic strainer and dawn soap. I fill a regular bowl with hot water set the strainer of coins in it and move them around by hand for a little while to do a precleaning. It just helps remove a lot of the "slurry" making grime prior to the tumbling process.

 

[markinmichigan]

Sound advice hoser. Next purchase (if I don't get another Legend) is a tumbler.


Mark in Michigan