Use just one shape or custom-formulate your own steel shot mixture for use in rotary or vibratory tumblers. Both carbon steel and stainless steel shot burnish jewelry to a bright, high luster.
Economical carbon steel shot requires proper maintenance and storage in order to prevent rust, while corrosion-resistant stainless steel shot requires only minimal attention. With stainless steel, the application of rust inhibitors is usually unnecessary, and maintenance procedures are considerably simplified.
Available in individual shapes in 2 lb. or 10 lbs. packages. Also available in convenient mixtures of 4 shapes for Rotary Tumbler and for Vibratory Tumblers. (Mixture is 40% Diagonals, 30% Ball Cones, 20% Round Balls, and 10% Pins or Oval Balls. Rotary Mixture contains pins while Vibratory Mixture contains oval balls since pins would wash out the drain.)
Stainless steel shot will not rust but it may turn gray due to accumulated dirt from parts. When this happens the shot will not polish and it often will turn the parts gray too. Stainless steel shot can be cleaned with Coca-Cola® Classic or Trisodium Phosphate (TSP). Empty all water from the tumbler bowl/barrel and fill with Coca-Cola® or Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) to a level about 1/2" over the top of the shot. (If it's a closed barrel, be sure to let the Coca-Cola® sit until it goes flat to eliminate gas.) Turn the tumbler on and let it run for about 15-20 minutes. Then pour off the Coca-Cola®. It will be very discolored. Rinse the shot thoroughly and then you can safely run your parts.
Disclaimer: Gesswein is in no way related to the Coca-Cola® company.
