Tumbler Maintenance - Clean your shot and oil your tumbler

Tumbler Maintenance


So you're tumbling, but things don't look quite as nice as when you started.

Sounds like it's time to clean your SHOT!!!

***We use Sunsheen Burnisher to Clean our shot 
      after every 30 tumbles.

Follow the directions on the bottle for the quantity of water to burnisher.

Tumble for about 1 hour and then rinse your shot well.

If you leave much burnisher in the tumbler it will dry out your aluminum.

Burnisher takes the yucky coating off the shot and helps keep those blanks shiny.

http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Super-Sunsheen-Burnishing-Compounds/339394?pos=1

Check the tension on the belt.  If it begins to stretch or crack, it's time for a change.

Don't for get the oil.  This will reduce wear.  Check your owners manual for the proper location to oil your tumbler.

Always avoid getting oil in locations where the barrel meets the rollers. 

Happy tumbling!!!
Liz

Another Bracelet Bending Tool - Synclastic Forming Pliers

Sometimes a bracelet bender isn't enough.  

A much more expensive, but very useful option is 

• 
  

Nex

Synclastic forming pliers 3/8"

These pliers will form synclastic shapes like bracelets, hoop earrings and any other form that requires a concave surface. They are very easy to use. They come in three sizes 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4".

The 3/8" will form a deep synclastic form with tight radiuses.

Can be used with copper, silver, gold, brass, even stainless is possible. Aluminum works fine as well. Metal can be annealed or not. 

Check those out at www.potterusa.com

Wrap a thin piece of leather over your cuff to prevent any scratches.  

And you will get beautiful curves.

I LOVE this tool!!!!

Let me know what you think?

Enjoy creating!!!

Liz

Rolling Mill - TEXTURE WITH PAPER?

Earlier this year I ran across an interesting shop on ETSY...

• Rolling Mill Resource

Tracey at 

Rolling Mill Resource creates low relief patterns using laser cut paper patterns. These paper patterns can be rolled in a rolling mill with Soft Temper Aluminum, Copper, Silver, or Brass to create crisp beautiful patterns and textures.

PATTERNS ORIGINATE from drawings, photographs, antique engravings, clip art and computer generated images.

These patterns are intended 

for one time use. 

Although I have been able to get 

a few more uses with the softer aluminum.

WHY PAPER?
Tracey often gets requests for patterns in a more durable material. But she has found that there are advantages to using the paper. The paper actually creates a soft flat texture on the metal that cannot be created with metal rolling plates. And the cost of using paper keeps your price down. Paper also gives you flexibility to cut or "paper punch" your patterns.  

MANY PATTERNS AND SIZES available. 

Tracey is now offering SPECIAL SIZES that perfect for the Aluminum Bracelet Blanks that we carry 

at Gottagettadeal. 

PAPER PATTERNS for 2" cuffs. 

These can also be used for smaller cuffs.

PAPER PATTERNS for 1-1/2" cuffs

Bits and Pieces for discs, dog tags or other blanks.

*******If you will be ordering bracelet blanks use with a paper patterns PLEASE LET US KNOW in your invoice message notes.

We have CUSTOM CUFFS and CHARM BLANKS that are soft temper and a little shorter to accommodate the stretch from the rolling mill. 

THE PROCESS

GUIDES made of card stock are used to align your cuffs  when you're rolling your cuffs through the mill.

Step #1

USING THE GUIDES...

Add a light coating of glue stick to the black guides and attach them to the paper patterns. Let the glue dry for at least one hour. When completely dry trim the outer excess edge.

Step # 2

TAG BOARD...
Cut 2 pieces of poster board or tag board 

a little larger than the paper pattern.

Place one piece of tag board on top 

and another on the bottom.

Step # 3

THE ROLLING MILL...
Place your stack in the rolling mill. You 

will need to adjust the tension tight enough 

to press the texture into the metal.

This will take some experimentation with 

your specific rolling mill.

Luckily Tracey sends a few extra 

smaller pieces for practice.

***The 2" Bracelet Blanks are the most 

difficult to roll and will require

the most pressure.

Step # 4

OPEN THE STACK....
Open your stack and you will find a beautiful surprise!!!!

Love it!!!!

SCRIPT...
One of the MOST exciting options 

for the metal stamper is the ability 

to roll script.

Whether it's your logo, a texture or 

a poem...... 

the possibilities are endless.

Check out Tracey's ETSY Shop

• Rolling Mill Resource

• 
  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rollingmillresource

 ......and GET CREATIVE!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rollingmillresource

Enjoy creating,

Liz :-)

Gottagettadeal

www.foodsafemetal.com

Ear in the Envelope Inc.

Like us on FACEBOOK

***************************************

These are a few of the most helpful links on my blog:

**What Supplies do I Need to Get Started with Metal Stamping

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2011/08/metal-stamping-supply-list-what-do-i.html

**Video: How to use a Wrap n Tap (Ring Bending Tool):

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-use-ring-blank-and-wrap-n-tap.html

**Description: How to use a Wrap n Tap (Ring Bending Tool):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BMoBtN7F_U

**Video: How to use a Bracelet Bender:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2OXDDwohjs

**How to Create Contrast in Your Aluminum Jewelry:

http://pendantfusion.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-and-permanent-color-in-aluminum.html

**Video: How to Attach Rivets and Eyelets to Create Metal Jewelry:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i5SXJDUrFg&feature=channel_video_title

How to Bend a Tie Bar or Money Clip

How to Bend a Tie Bar or Money Clip

Tool Needed

Loop Making, Bail Pliers 

by Beadsmith 7.5 - 9 mm w/ spring

Watch this video

Hope this helps!

Enjoy creating,
Liz
Gottagettadeal on ETSY

Video: How to Attach Rivets and Eyelets to Create Metal Jewelry

Check out this instructional video on how to attach rivets and eyelets to metal, and how to attach a glue pad to a ring blank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i5SXJDUrFg&feature=channel_video_title

Have fun creating!

Liz

How to Tumble Aluminum Blanks

Tumbling is a method of polishing metal.
It takes much less effort than hand
sanding and polishing.  Tumbling involves adding 
media to a machine which rotates or vibrates 
to create a polished finish.

It is well worth the time and money
to invest in a LARGE quality tumbler
 if you're serious about metal stamping.

MY FAVORITE TUMBLER

The Thumler Tumbler High Speed Tumbler.  

The best price I've found is through Buffalo Arms.
This model is about $200.

Here's the link:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Thumblers_Tumbler_it-164290.aspx?TERM=tumbler

SHOT

Shot - stainless steel balls that are added
 to your tumbler to polish your metal.  

You'll want to buy STAINLESS STEEL elipse shot 

(NOT the jewelers mix, it will scratch the aluminum).  

I purchase my shot through Rio Grande Jewelry Supply.  

You'll need 10 pounds of shot for the Thumler Tumbler.

This is around $100.

Here's the link:

http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Stainless-Steel-Shots-5-32-Ellipse/339091?pos=4

H20

Use only COLD water to tumble.   

Warm or hot water will expand with the soap 

and crack the metal welds in the tumbler barrel.  

***Soft water is best if you have it.
Note if you use soft water you will need to reduce the amount of soap.
You'll need to experiment to get the correct amount.

***Fill the barrel about 1/2 of the way full.

Soap

I have tried many different soaps and solutions, but

***Breck 2 in 1 Kids Shampoo seems to get the best results.  

My favorite is the coconut.  It is available at Dollar Tree.  

We use 1/2" cup of this product.

or you can use

EOS Laundry Soap.

We use 1/4 cup of this per load.

www.ecos.com/ecosliquid.html

I found this soap at Costco.

Next you will need

A 1/4" teaspoon of

***Supersunsheen Non-Chelating DeBurring Compound

for each tumbling load.

http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Super-Sunsheen-Non-Chelating-Deburring-Compound/339303?pos=2

This conditions the water

 and also helps the flecks of metal float in the gel,

instead of scratching the metal.

NOTE:  Aluminum is very sensitive to drying.

Harsh antibacterial soaps, like Dawn, 

 will ruin the shiny finish.

How many pieces?

35  or less - small discs or blanks (1" or smaller)

30 - 1/4" cuffs

20 - 3/8" and 1/2" cuffs

Only one - 1" cuff or larger can be tumbled at a time.
Larger pieces tend to scratch each other.

You can experiment with more soap and you may
be able to add more blanks.

How long do I need to tumble?

45 minutes per load with the high speed tumbler is usually enough.

Strain

Use a large strainer to dump the contents of the tumbler
when your load is complete.

We found a very strong Farberware strainer at Target.

RINSE

Rinse the shot with high pressure water.  A kitchen sprayer is fine.  

The tumbling breaks off small flecks of metal which can scratch the blanks.
You'll want to make sure the shot and the blanks are very clean
to prevent scratching from those flecks of metal.

***Use clean water and well rinsed shot for each tumble load.

Dry Quickly

Rinse  and then dry quickly so the metal doesn't get water spots.  

We use old kitchen and bath towels.

HAPPY TUMBLING!!!

Let me know if you need any help or have any more questions.

ENJOY CREATING!

Lizz Barnes :-)

Visit our ETSY store for Food Safe Aluminum Blanks 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Setting a Grommet

I ran across this very informative video on how to set a grommet.  Hope this helps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmRps_2MCM8

Check out my Etsy shop gottagettadeal to find grommets and other great tools and supplies.

Enjoy creating!
Liz

www.foodsafemetal.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

How to Use a Bracelet Bender - Video

Check out this video on how to use a bracelet bender:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2OXDDwohjs

Have fun creating,

Liz

My Tools Scratch My Metal - What Can I Do?

Tools scratching your metal can be such a headache when you're making jewelry.  

I've got a solution that I use for almost all of my own tools.

I get a thin piece of leather or foam (like the craft foam used to make those silly visors or letters).  

Cut a square the width of the inner flat area of the tool.  

Then glue the square onto that inner flat area of your tool.

I use E-6000 adhesive - my very favorite.

Place a thin layer on the metal, a thin layer on the leather.

Wait 2 minutes.

Then attach the leather to the tool.

Press gently.

LET IT DRY FOR 1 DAY.  

It's so temping to use it sooner.......  but don't.

The leather is where you will place the front side of your metal.  

*****

I actually have a pair of pliers that have leather on each side on of the inner flat areas.  

This has been one of my favorites. 

......many uses.

........very little money.

Hope this helps!

Have fun..... and enjoy creating,

Liz :-)

Ear in the Envelope Inc.

gottagettadeal on ETSY

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal

Your place for Pure Aluminum Food Safe Jewelry Supplies.

www.foodsafemetal.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gottagettadeal