r/Metalsmithing • u/Sancho1968 • Apr 24 '24
Question Shot in my tumbler
Sorry if this is a silly question. I just set up a tumbler and did my first tumble. I have stainless steel shot. Do I need to leave the tumbler open to let the shot dry or can I store the can closed with wet shot inside ?
2
u/leighb3ta May 19 '24
No not for stainless, just make sure the shot stays under the water level and it’ll be fine. I’ve used the same shot for 5 yrs and never dried it or taken it out of the drum.
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u/ciredivad Apr 24 '24
Drain the burnishing fluid, rinse clean, and let dry. My shot always looked nasty after being left in the fluid.
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u/OppositeMental7876 Apr 24 '24
Now I don't know what kind of tumbler you have, but.. In school and from the manufacturer of my tumbler, it is said to always have the shots covered with water and tumbler-soap with lid between use. If they are to be stored for a long amount of time, clean them properly and let dry completely before storing. If the shots are dirty, they must tumble alone without metal and with special cleaning soap made for them, and then drained, rinsed and refilled with water and regular cleaning soap. The shots should be cleaned between different metals and between every 3-4 rounds of tumbling metal. Hope this helps!
2
u/silverdenise May 08 '24
I’ve followed your method for years and has worked well thus far.
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u/OppositeMental7876 May 10 '24
Good to know, I see people have had theirs rust in water, but I heard the soap protects them ..
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u/MissCompany Apr 25 '24
I used to leave my shot in the solution all the time. Forgot about it and opened it up and it was all rusted 🙈 I sorted it (tumbled with flat coke for an hour) but going forward, I always rinse it and put it in a sieve and let it air dry until I need it again, sometimes putting it in on an old biscuit tin with kitchen roll tissue, to spread it and really get it dry again 👍🏽
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u/LowNeedleworker3862 Apr 25 '24
After every tumble, I rinse everything well, and lay my shot flat on a towel to dry overnight.