Which Do I Need? - A Tumbler Or An Ultrasonic? Jewelry Making Tools And Equipment

An often asked question is "do I need a barrel polisher or an ultrasonic?"
These pieces of equipment are completely different so Andrew shows you their function and shows you what they both do.
Andrew shows you many hints and tips that he has gained from his 30 years experience as a professional goldsmith.
Andrew Berry, a professional jeweller for 30 years, is the training director of www.AtTheBench.com, an award winning on line jewellery training website.

[@leannerae]

Andrew Berry has such a likeable personality and is so clear with the information he is bringing forward. Always a pleasure.

[@boheeatelier6681]

Great, I was looking for a video like that. Thank you Andrew!

[@bobbiholliday5961]

You are the rockstar of jewelry videos!

[@pijnto]

Interesting video good explanation, I have a friend who is no 92 he has been a jeweller, since before I was born, he does every thing old school and is a never ending source of information, however he has his quirks and considers both those items as manifestations of the devil, "that is not how it's done"

[@ghostintheheart]

Very important... if you work with gemstones in your metal work, I’d be very cautious about putting them in an ultrasonic. Some can handle it but a lot of them will crack/break. I learned that the hard way.

[@binar3914]

Ultrasonic devices are used as at home cleaning devices as well. If the gemstones wouldn’t hold the process I wouldn’t sell that kind of piece. If the damage happens there must have been a crack somewhere, probably done while setting the stone.

[@ek9384]

Exactly the answers I needed. Thanks a million!

[@marianne6526]

Fantastic explanation of both pieces of equipment, thank you Andrew.

[@Anarasha]

Today I came here to learn the proper stuff to use in a barrel polisher, I checked this video by mistake but got intrigued and learned that metal baskets in ultrasolic cleaners will scratch metal. I had no idea! I will definitely be rigging up a hook system like you have here. Even when I click on a video of yours by mistake I manage to learn something :p So thank you!

[@LeeOfBent]

nice to know that an ultrasonic cleaner makes your voice sound like a Dalek. :)

[@_P_M_]

I think there's a dalek inside your ultrasonic. Good video! Very helpful!

[@Coleman77]

Now, I know what the ultrasonic does. I may get one in the future.

[@michaeldandrea238]

My wife hates me watching your videos, because right after I go and buy new equipment

[@maggiealena]

If you need equipment than buy it, if all you're going to do is let it sit there then I understand your wife's position. My ex was a dreamer not much of a doer. He thought he wanted to do stuff then he just stored it. Maybe once in a while to dream of making something but just put it back in storage. A wasted life. I on the other hand am a doer. I don't just sit around dreaming. I never was a packrat like my ex. He horded 10s of thousands of our money in such tools only never do anything meaningful. It drove me insane and this is what put a strain on our marriage and we finally went our own way. My grandmother always to me if you not using it in 6 months get rid of it. Which to me makes since.

[@kenokoci9853]

​@@maggiealena amazing comment. Like your way of thinking. Cheers

[@boheeatelier6681]

😂😂😂

[@marelisaromero4986]

Extremely helpful. Thank you

[@nilo70]

He is a Wonderful Teacher !

[@melaniebrown3001]

As always Andrew has the answers! Thank you!

[@Ken_Dalton]

Good to see u back Andrew, iv been missing your vids since Christmas for all your great and helpful tips

[@jaykay415]

I got a double rotary drum tumbler for @$40 from Harbor Freight, and it's worked great for a few years now!

[@eivindkofod1774]

Hi Andrew, I agree, it's a funny question whether to buy a polishing drum or an ultrasonic. But how do you rate the steamer in this context? Stand alone or pair with the ultrasonic or no use at all?

[@donecafashion]

Thank you for the valuable informations. Can you do a video about how to use a tumbler? Which media to use and when? For example, is it possible yo grid down from 150 to 2000? If yes how to polish up to the last step after the grinding? I am about to buy a tumbler to finish of small pieces and I need some advice. Thanks for your great and fantastic videos!!! Thumbs up!!

[@elephantear7659]

Fantastic, thank you

[@donecafashion]

Is there any chance to make a video how to polish cold enamel? It would be great!!

[@clarkbarrow6750]

Great video. Great explanation.

[@azadehshahbazimoghaddam5552]

thank you for useful information.

[@oleksandrdanylov6076]

Hi Andrew, I have been watching some of your videos hoping to start making my own jewelry some day - thank you for them, they are always full of useful tips. I live remotely and prefer not to use much electricity so I do not depend on it too much. Would you kindly advise me on the best in your opinion polish for precious metals? I am patient with manual work but most polishes do not seem to be giving brilliant results unless many hours of hand work are spent. Thank you in advance :)

[@saltymemesmith]

Hi How did your interest in jewellery makeing develop? Did you achieve your goal?

[@paulagodoy1114]

Excellent. Very clair!

[@Frigger20]

Hi Andrew ! Thanks for the great video. Is it possible to harden copper / sterling without work hardening or tumbling ? How ?

[@raa137]

Others have noted that there are risks of putting some gemstones in an ultrasonic cleaner. I would guess there are similar risks putting gemstones in tumblers? I would guess ( but don't know for certain) putting stones less hard than Mohs 6 might be dangerous. Are there other possible problems such as stones with perfect cleavage planes?

[@kenokoci9853]

The video would be better if you added magnetic tumbler to comparition. Maybe next video would be in comparing the polishing effect of the 3 ultrasonic, tumbler and magnetic tumbler.

[@olegpetelevitch4443]

Both !

[@KyleTO7]

What brand is your small silver and blue one that beeps a lot? It looks very cute and like it actually does the job. I'm a self-taught jeweller from toron(t)o and my ultrasonic cleaner I have are from the 80's and basically completely dead 😂

[@KyleTO7]

Awesome video to :)

[@jennifermarbles]

Did you ever find out?

[@suefu9472]

Hi Andrew can you put jewellery with stones in the ultrasonic cleaner?

[@cpayne1757]

Thank you for another nice video - So what is your take on ionic cleaners??

[@jaysonmartinez2830]

Which would you use 1st....the barrel polisher or the ultrasonic? &...how long after the 1st would you use the 2nd?

[@niemakurwataklatwo]

Thanks 🙏

[@klcwarchitect]

Do you ever use a vibratory tumbler? I have both and wondered if either one was better or if they have different uses.

[@NightWatch_FunFactory]

how many ultrasonic needs for jewellery factory

[@stevecoster322]

Hiya Andrew, a very nice video, basic and to the point, in other words very good training for us learners. A question if I may, a friend gave me some silver items to clean, tarnished in a hot tub. The items with any form of stone I cleaned with a flex shaft but the others I tumbled. Two of the charms, I can't remember the name but the modern ones that run on a snake chain. Therein lies my problem some of the stainless shot is stuck in the tube. Mainly the flying saucer shaped ones. I've tried tumbling without any more shot but it seems well and truly stuck... HELP!!!

[@fantastiqueberliotz1209]

Steve Coster: Pick up some alum powder. In the US, you can find it in the spice section because it is used in the process of making pickles. I believe McCormick sells it. If you're not in the US, you can find it on the Internet. Heat some water to between 180 and 200 degrees F. Then add the alum making sure to "saturate the water." In other words, add as much alum as the volume of water will take. Drop the tubes in the solution and leave them there for 24 hours. The solution *should* dissolve the steel shot. If not, make more solution and try it again, leaving the tubes in for 24 hours.

[@stevecoster322]

Hiya, and thank you. Will the alum affect the silver? @@fantastiqueberliotz1209

[@teamskovhugger8135]

🙂 you can also clean sliber jewlery BY taking a glas bowl put some ordenary alu foil in the bottom put in some hot water 2 spoons of kitchen salt and 2 spoons of baking powder mix it out into the water by gently rocking the glas bowl when ITS all mixed into the water now put your SILVER ring or necklace or what ever SILVER you got that you need to clean leave the Silver in the water mix and rock it arround a bit every now and then , it WILL take some time BUT you can clean your SILVER without need of buying any expensive machines, this can be helpfull if you are just starting up and dont got a ton of monny to throw in all the tools and machines at once 👍

[@Atthebench]

Team Skovhugger but doing it this way supposedly ruins the surface of the silver due to the chemical reaction

[@teamskovhugger8135]

@@Atthebench ok i did not Know that but why do the Silver get shiny and nice looking?

[@suzannepattinson9159]

Hi Andrew, What brand is the tumbler? Thank you, Suzanne

[@Atthebench]

This model is a Lortone. Can highly recommend it

[@johndo3930]

you need both

[@martinoffer4474]

Can you use an ultrasonic cleaner with jewellery that has Opal set in to it?

[@Atthebench]

No I would not advise putting Opals in an ultrasonic

[@martinoffer4474]

@@Atthebench so what’s the best way to clean jewellery with Opel. What other stones can’t be put in an ultrasonic cleaner. Thank you.

[@lauraporcher3313]

Hi Andrew, Would a tumbler be safe to use with gold filled wire? And does it help work hardening it too? Thank you!

[@Atthebench]

Yes it is perfectly safe. And no, it does not help workharden I’m afraid. It does work harden to an extent but only a very thin microscopic top layer

[@lauraporcher3313]

@@Atthebench thank you very much

[@seidomonkey5395]

Andrew please help. Am I right in thinking the tumbler also hardens the metal ? 🤗

[@Atthebench]

Yes it does by the burnishing action of the shot

[@seidomonkey5395]

Thank you. Is there any other way to harden bangles or thin rings please. I really appreciate your answering my questions 🤗

[@lwaller1601]

I have the same ultrasonic but the heating doesn’t work. Do you know where to get it serviced? I’m in Birmingham JQ

[@Atthebench]

L W Freind of mine does repairs on jewellery equipment. www.firstaderepairs.co.uk/

[@lwaller1601]

Thanks Andrew, I know of Ade yes but didn’t do a good job when I’ve had him round before unfortunately. Can you recommend anyone else?

[@kathybradbury]

Or a vibratory?

[@HouseholdDog]

The barrel polisher is not as loud as I thought it would be.

[@Atthebench]

You can make it quiet by placing the machine on a towel

[@moretimethanmoney8611]

You sounded like a dalek for a moment there.

[@jsfotografie]

very nice video! i got one of those cheap ultrasonics ewwwww :))) and your right it dont cleans that much :( i got a magnetic tumbler which i love :) ah an can you repeat the name of that jewlry cleaining fluid? and what kind of soap you put in the tumbler? :) cheers and thx janosch

[@Atthebench]

The ultrasonic fluid www.bettsmetalsales.com/jewel-clean-ultrasonic-fluid-36949 Barrel Soap available from www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Actopol-Barrelbrite-Compound-P6-1kg-prcode-998-001P?p=gs&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtvPjBRDPARIsAJfZz0q4RrApYQ0TUzjpY3YeJtW-nUi7MNdI9hcSXtuNisBJBTyABDR40gcaAvsqEALw_wcB

[@jsfotografie]

@@Atthebench thx mate :)

[@GrimeeRappuh]

Nice video! I have a question though. Why when i receive new silver necklaces they have that ''white shine'' inside the cracks, but when i take my jewelry necklaces for pro. cleaning to jewelry stores, they never regain that white shine? they are more shiny after receiving them, but more darker than totally new one necklaces, what is the reason?

[@theresafiorella1864]

??? i WORK WITH STERLING? i don't know what you mean about a white shine???? Are u talking sterling or other silver..?

[@GrimeeRappuh]

@@theresafiorella1864 im sorry, i meant the inside of links are a lot more shinier.

[@17hmr243]

stone settings vibrate loose

[@TheTubeofjo]

Gummy Bear only if setting is poor

[@17hmr243]

@@TheTubeofjo oh ok all web warns about buying one to clean your own . guess average over all rings some would be loose

[@brucefulton]

For jewelry making, you would usually tumble the setting before setting the stone. The ultrasonic cleaner is for removing polishing compound after going through the polishing steps for the setting. This video is more about jewelry making than what you need for a full service jewelry business including repair and cleaning services. You usually wouldn't tumble fully completed fine jewelry pieces to clean them for a customer.

[@barbaradeneke2909]

Great! Thanks. I am really trying to figure out the differences between the rotary vs vibratory tumblers also and can't seem to find anyone to give me a straight up answer about them. I don't really want to invest in both... Which would be more useful?

[@gabrielkirkbaca2910]

I strongly suggest the Tumblr, but you want to keep in mind is the medium that you use there's different shots for rougher castings then there's dust for softer items to be polished hope this was helpful

[@gabrielkirkbaca2910]

I'm sorry the Rotary

[@lizmathyssen6462]

Hi Andrew, Could you tell me why does the barrel water turn the shot grey and then leaves ss the same grey colour! I have cleaned both barrel and shot, and it seams to be happening more frequently. I use mild velvet soap! Cheers from Tasmania Aus.