What is a Barrel Polisher/Rotary Tumbler and how do you use one?
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What is a Barrel Polisher?
A Barrel polisher is a machine consisting of a rotating cylinder containing a polishing solution and stainless steel grains known as ‘shot’
Jewellery is placed inside the cylinder and tumbled on a motorised base. The resulting burnishing action of the shot on the metal produces a high shine.
When do you use a Barrel Polisher?
A Barrel Polisher is used after hand finishing and polishing small pieces of jewellery and is an effective way of polishing multiple pieces at once.
Good to know: A Barrel polisher will not remove scratches or file marks from your jewellery, it will simply burnish it to a shine, so it’s important that you have finished your piece before tumbling.
Silver components before and after barrel polishing
Which Barrel and shot to choose?
There are many different models to choose from but it’s worth investing in a higher quality machine and stainless steel shot (as opposed to steel shot which will rust if left in the solution too long)
Barrels also come in different sizes so make sure you choose one that suits the range and quantity of pieces you’re making.
Different shapes of shot are available too. If you want to achieve a high shine stick to rounded shapes like planets and balls. Steel shot with sharp edges will put dents in your metal.
Planet-shaped stainless steel shot under the magnifying glass
My Recommended Barrels
Lortone Barrel Polisher 5lb
Tumble Bee Rotary Tumbler - 2lb
My Recommended Stainless Steel Shot
Stainless Steel Shot - Planets
Stainless Steel Shot - Balls
My recommended Polishing Compounds
Barrelbrite
Shinebrite
How to use a barrel polisher?
Before getting started make sure the jewellery you want to barrel is clean. Place your shot in the cylinder, cover with fresh water and add your jewellery and polishing solution
The water to polishing solution ratio varies depending on what product you use, so make sure you have read the manufacturers instructions first.
Good to know: If you run out of polishing compound a couple of drops of fairy liquid or dawn dish soap will work at a pinch.
Make sure the lid is sealed tight, place the cylinder on the motorised base, and let your pieces tumble for at least an hour (or until they are shining!)
Once removed from the barrel give the pieces a rinse in fresh water to remove any residual polishing solution and dry with a soft cloth or kitchen roll.
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