Question about "Tumblers"

Hurricane

I've read that some of you guys use those rock tumblers to clean your finds. Do you use these for clad only or all your silver and relics? What situations do You use these machines? Where is the best place to purchase an entry level machine? Thanks for any info.

intocoins

Never used them, but Kellyco carries them. Tumblers

DUBBA

i use them for the really cruddy, caked on coins and for silver and gold jewelry.....most of the coins i find dont get cleaned though.....hh

crispy

I have a Lortone double barrell tumbler. I think I paid about $70 for it but that was years ago and I suspect that was a pretty good price for a two barrell unit. I really only use it to tumble the funked-out clad that a bank or nobody else would want in commerce. I tumble the clad (quarters, dimes & nickels) separate from the copper/zinc cents otherwise the clad takes on a coppery hue. I used "pea" gravel which is just pea-sized gravel that you can buy in bags or pick out of a driveway for that matter. Then I add a couple drops of dish soap and water, then tumble for a couple hours. Rinse and then spread out the change on a few towels to air dry. Then I take it to the coinstar at my business bank which charges no premium for account holders.

Dockwalliper

I use mine for all my clad finds. Bought it from Harbor Freight for about $20. I had to replace the drive belt they supplied, it didn't last long.

Harbor Freight tumblers