Homemade tumbler qusetions -HELP!

[doorsmaniac]

I have made it to the end many of time on that thing. I dont think the moon was the end on his though. Ill check next time im up there.

 

[cyberdigger]

Today I investigated the availability of copper wire, and found it much easier to find 14 gauge, the 12 gauge eluded me all day... is there a big difference in the performance of 14 gauge cut copper compared to the 12? Please advise!

 

[GuntherHess]

I doubt it , it still has the same density. After using my #12 copper for a while it is probably #14 now anyway.

 

[cyberdigger]

Thanx Matt.. anybody else care to opine on this before I invest in a 27 pound spool of #14?? I just don't want to goof this up![8|]

 

[donalddarneille]

Just curious........does cut copper work best or would copper BB's suffice? As I understand the copper doesn't do the actuall polishing, but acts as a weight to press the polishing compound against the glass. I just inherited a set up from a freind, 1 machine and two tubes, it worked great for him at first, but he gave up in frustration as his results became worse over time, eventually his bottles were coming out hazier than when they went in the tube. Has anyone ever heard of this before? If so what is the possible cause? Doing all the research I can before I try starting my machine up, what is the best post under this topic for beginners to read? Thank you!

 

[GuntherHess]

If you are talking about BB like are used in air rifles, they will not work. They are plated steel. They will rust.

If his bottles were getting progressively worse. i would guess he wasnt sufficiently cleaning the cutting compound off his copper before polishing.

 

[bottlediger]

BBs will increase your chance of breaking a bottle by 1000% I wouldnt try it

Digger Ry

 

[donalddarneille]

Thanks, guess I'll have to forget about using BB's for now, unless they're glass ones mixed in with my cut copper. I have a nearly endless supply of scrap copper wire, is there a better method than cutting with hand held diagonals for hours on end?

 

[GuntherHess]

if you have a drill press you can make a faster cutter. There were some old posts on this method. You may be able to search and find them.

 

[baltbottles]

Anyone have any thoughts on using granulated copper scrap I have a source for it but wasn't sure if it would be useful.

Chris