Getting a tumbling machine

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hemihampton

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Wow, massive difference! I have got to get one of those. Just a little more trying to make these others work for me…. Just a few more busted bottles-And I will have one…. The struggle is real! It’s just a bit like trying to make a vacuum cleaner out of a wash machine. Rock tumblers will break your stuff, too- even with a ton of precautions. Especially that new vibratory one. Lol! How long did you have to tumble your bottle? The difference is incredible. Pretty!


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You shouldn't be Breaking any Bottles, if you are your doing something wrong. In my opinion I would strongly advise against any vibration or Rock Tumbler. I'd suggest something more like from the Jar Doctor. LEON.
 

Csa

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Guys I was wrong. You set the different size tubes on top the machine and they turn on it. I made out good. About 14 doffing size tubes and over 200 lbs of copper and boxes of cleaner powders. He’s been a cleaner for the state archeologists for over 30 years and hung up his hat. I believe I got lucky
Dang. Home run. The 7 tumbling tubes sit on top of the 8 drive tubes. Very cool. I’ll send you some bottles to work on
 

Merle

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It killed me getting it in the basement. I just started filling tubes. Gonna start a run either tonight or in the morning. I got 50# of aluminum and 10# of 1200. All kinds of odds and ends. Hope I get good quick so I can get my personal collection shining. Looks pretty cut and dry. First 7 are just common crown tops and a couple common blob sodas. Can’t wait to see how they come out
 

hemihampton

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So these 8 drive tubes aint the actual tubes? never heard of that? so what do the actual tubes look like?? LEON.
 

Merle

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It’s a really neat set up. I couldn’t get anyone to help me get it in so didn’t get to mess with it that much. Here’s what it looks like in operation.
 

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hemihampton

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OH OK, I see how it works now. the steel rod going into or through drive tubes is what most other tumblers use for the actually tubes to ride on. LEON.
 

Merle

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I put all 7 on this morning. She’s turning all with no issues. I will let you all know how the first clean turns out. It rotates 70 rpm and I was told run for 4 days. Run two days one way and flip and run another 2. Does that sound right? I hope I loaded everything right. I put a few crows and common blobs so no loss of not. I hate the hurry up and wait game
 

hemihampton

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70 rpm is a little on the fast side but that's similar too mine. some will have 2 speeds, slow 40 rpm & fast 60 rpm approximately. not sure what you mean by flip? flip what, tube or bottle? I've never flipped my tube & not sure if it would make a difference? LEON.
 

bottle-bud

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70 rpm is a little on the fast side but that's similar too mine. some will have 2 speeds, slow 40 rpm & fast 60 rpm approximately. not sure what you mean by flip? flip what, tube or bottle? I've never flipped my tube & not sure if it would make a difference? LEON.
When I purchased my machine, the doctor suggested that I flip or turn the canisters around to reverse direction, that way both sides of the embossing are tumbled equally. Easy for me to do as I only have a one tube machine.
 

bottle-bud

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I put all 7 on this morning. She’s turning all with no issues. I will let you all know how the first clean turns out. It rotates 70 rpm and I was told run for 4 days. Run two days one way and flip and run another 2. Does that sound right? I hope I loaded everything right. I put a few crows and common blobs so no loss of not. I hate the hurry up and wait game
The key is patience, I was excited when I first started and couldn't wait for them to be done. It's good to start with common or less valuable bottles but that won't last long, I was doing my better bottles after doing only a couple. I haven't broke one yet, and I am guessing I've done close to a hundred by now.
Congratulations, looks like you got a good deal on the machine.
 

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