Tumblers

[JimH8189]

I was looking on eBay for tumblers to clean my coins with and was very surprised to find that there were only two listed, may have been the way I searched also. What's a good brand? Is one tumbler better than another?

[~Alan~]

I hope it's only coins which you want to put back into circulation, which you want to clean Jim ?
I've had a tumbler for a few years now, but only use it on rare occasions, usually only on big brass which has no value.

[JimH8189]

I do have some coins that I'd like to clean. I have some ancient coins that I have in Olive oil at the moment that are almost impossible to read the face of the coin, I'd like to try and clean these. I would also like to be able to clean any jewelry that I may find.

[~Alan~]

I wouldn't use a tumbler on coins, even with a mild abrasive it will damage the surface, and I definitely wouldn't put jewelery in a tumbler.
With jewelery, a lot of people use a sonic cleaner with some success.

Be aware that if you have coins with some potential value, cleaning can make them worthless. If they are for your own collection it doesn't really matter.

[JimH8189]

Thanks Allan for the direction. I've got a lot to learn, I appreciate you taking the time to point me in the right direction.

[mepot]

Alan,I think hes talking about common clad coins,to put back into circulation.There are several older threads here about that,a search should bring them up. I think the general consensus is the Harbor Freight tumblers are cheap,the better(and more expensive) tumblers hold up better if you have a lot of clad to clean.
Being a coin collector,the thought of cleaning coins is taboo,but now looking at the pile of un-recognizable clad I have accumulated,I need a tumbler too.

[JimH8189]

Thanks mepot, guess I should have been more clear. My daughter who is 8 and likes to collect any coin loves to try and clean all of her stuff which at this point is all clad. A tumbler would make her really happy. Might be a good x-mas present.

[RickO]

For your purpose, I would recommend a vibratory cartrige shell cleaner with crushed walnut shell or corncob medium... will make the coins look very bright without all the tumbling damage. RickO

[Kathykkc]

Originally Posted by RickO

For your purpose, I would recommend a vibratory cartrige shell cleaner with crushed walnut shell or corncob medium... will make the coins look very bright without all the tumbling damage. RickO

I tried this last night on clad coins and all of them are now red.

[Lowjiber]

Originally Posted by Kathykkc

I tried this last night on clad coins and all of them are now red.

Did you have pennies mixed in? That'll turn silver clad coins red.

[Dusty Eagle]

I made my "Kaboom Tumbler" from an old sump pump motor and material I had laying around my shop. It gets the job done, plus it was kind of fun to make. There is a link to the story in "Make it or Fix it Yourself" If you think it's funny looking now.. you should see the video. Maybe I'll start a youtube account and post it!
Dusty Eagle

[dewcon]

Try Harbor Frieght they have single and dual tumblers at a very reasonable price. Like was already said dont mix silver and copper. Get a little fish tank rock and a drop of dish soap works pretty good.

Dew