Tumbler for clad finds

[DetectorBase]

Do any of you tumble clads for recirculation?

DB

[DetectorBase]

I posted a question about tumblers at TreasureQuestXLT (http://www.treasurequestxlt.com/community/general-discussion/8784-tumbler-recommendation.html), and got a couple of leads for tumblers:

Lot-O-Tumbler ($150-$220):
http://www.lototumbler.com/

T.C. Metal Detectors ($55 - $70):
http://www.tcmetaldetectors.com/coin-supplies.htm

I think it would be nice to clean up the junk change so I can easily turn it around for gas and gear. Anybody else have any recommendations for make, model and dealer?
DB

[DetectorBase]

Just saw a post about a hobby rock tumbler that can be found at WalMart for $20. Anybody have any personal experience with this. Is it junk? Would it work fine for scrubbing clad?

Thanks!
DB

[Boogeyman]

The Walmart tumblers are ok for the price Harbor Freight tools has the same one for the same price. They also have the vibrator type for around $39. I fill mine half full of ground walnut shells, and add a table spoon of comet cleanser (no water). I usually wait until I have about a pint jar worth and tumble them for about 5 hours, or as needed. I've used it with sandbox sand for cleaning other relics and car parts.

[Hightone]

Hmmmm.......

I'm a little new to the tumbling thing. My neighbors son gave me a small tumbler to try out. It's plastic and holds about 2 cups of water. What do you put in to clean the coins? Sandbox sand AND water? What about bleach? :confused:

[osros]

I have not cleaned anything yet or used a tumbler. But I read that you use aquarium gravel with the coins. Also make sure you clean each type of coin separately. Pennies only, Dimes only etc.

[DetectorBase]

I picked up the cheapy at WalMart. It has a small barrel, and I used aquarium rocks, water and splash of soap. I didn't separate my coins though. I don't think it matters much with the junk clad anyway.

DB

[osros]

Well with pennies & dimes for example I read that the dimes will have the copper color from the pennies if you dont seperate them, but like I said have never tried it.

[Boogeyman]

Don't mix silver coins with pennies. You'll end up with a bunch of copper nickels dimes and quarters, which will make spending them difficult. I've had good sucess with aquarium gravel and about 8 or 9 drops of Dawn dish soap for slightly dirty coins. For coins that have cretian or a crust on them I usually use gravel and some vinegar or Lime away with the Dawn if they're really encrusted.
Fill your drum about 1/3 with coins add 1/3 aquarium gravel, add the soap or Limeaway and top it off with clear water. To get a good shine after cleaning rinse out the coins and gravel, add about a teaspoon of Bon Ami cleanser, and tumble till you get the shine you want. If you use Lime away on coins recovered from water, some coins will almost disolve or the nickel center will disolve. This is from the water and the effects of electrolisys eating up the center. Experiment with the time you tumble, as it varies with the size of drum and amount of material in it. Hope that helps answer your questions.

[Hightone]

I also read an article that said to take a bowl, line the bowl with aluminum foil, place the coins in the bowl and add hydrogen peroxide. Then take a heat lamp and place it to get the mixture warm. It goes on to say to clean the coins with a Q-tip then use olive oil to bring back the shine.

I guess everyone has their recipe.:D

[Boogeyman]

The aluminum foil technique is basically eletrolysis with a touch of chemical action. Olive oil by its self is ok on items that you don't need or want immediate results. If you've got anywhere from weeks to a year, it gives good results. I like olive oil to use heated to force moisture out and give the item a neat looking preservative coating. Warm the item in an oven to drive out the moisture, while heating enough oil to cover the item on the stove or camp stove outside. Place the item in the bowl and let it cool.

To PRESERVE HOUSEHOLD HARMNY! Go to the thrift store and get an old pan or pot! Don't use the wifes cookware! Been there done that! Luckily still alive to talk about it!!!!

[DetectorBase]

To PRESERVE HOUSEHOLD HARMNY! Go to the thrift store and get an old pan or pot! Don't use the wifes cookware! Been there done that! Luckily still alive to talk about it!!!!

I love it! Spoken like a wise man.

DB