Tip for cleaning beaded keys

[mnoelker]

Some of you who are smarter than me (lol) have probably already figured this out but I thought I'd share a tip that has really saved me time. I make and sell a lot of beaded keys. I like to have the keys move around the shank of the key so I double coat the key with release before I make the bead.

I used to spend a lot of time both cleaning all of that release off the keys and getting the keys loose so that they moved. I tried dremel cleaning, lightly hammering the beads to loosen them and cursed a lot!

Then it dawned on me to try throwing them in the tumbler with steel shot and a couple of drops of soap. Brilliant!! They not only come out crystal clean but the beads loosen from the key while they are tumbling. All I do is dump the contents of the tumbler (be careful because it's messy with all the soap and release) into a kitchen strainer and rinse thoroughly.

One more quick note...I tumble for about an hour then check the keys. Be careful not to leave them tumbling for too long or the release washing around in there will start to etch the beads. I had a batch I left too long come out not as shiny as they went in. Hope this helps!

[Elizabeth Beads]

What a great suggestion. I quit using bead release on my keys because cleanup was such a beyotch and just made the beads fixed in place.

Now all I need is a tumber. Maybe Santa will put one under the tree.

(Actually, I do paint a ring of bead release on the key but I cover it up with glass - a little cushion in case the key expands or contracts based on temperature. )

[mnoelker]

I got mine from Harbor Freight and it was not expensive at all. I have been using mine for a couple of years and it works great!

[Firebug]

You're a life saver Mary! I have three keys that I've had soaking for a couple of days and I've been dreading cleaning them. I'm going to put them in the tumbler tonight!

I also have tumbler from Harbor Freight and it's great!

Cheers
Kathy

[mnoelker]

Oh I'm so glad Kathy! I almost didn't post because I wasn't sure if it would be that helpful to others, but it's been a real timesaver for me.

[Flamin' Francesca]

I hate to be so clueless, but are you talking about a rock tumbler? I looked at the Harbor Freight website and they have one for about $50, but they also have a larger "vibrating metal tumbler." It's more expensive and looks a bit more complicated. Are you using the less expensive one?

[Puddy Tat Glass]

This is great information. I made my first and only bead on a key a few weeks back and couldn't get it loosened. I figured I'd done something wrong...probably needed an additional layer of bead release, so I broke the bead to start over.

I'm going to get some shot and next time I'm going to toss it in my tumbler

Thanks for the info.

[Jasio]

Great tip, thanks! I always put release on my keys. It seems when I try to put it just on the shank with no release that the bead always cracks.
Andrea

[mnoelker]

So glad it's helping. The tumbler I have cost around $30 and is the one with two barrels that fit together end to end so you could use them at the same time if you wanted to. The barrel turns in the tumbler. Hope that helps!

ETA-The tumbler on this page with two barrels is the one I have and unfortunately it has gone up in price. The 31.95 version should work just as well.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ory=&q=tumbler

[jaci]

hey mary what size shot are you using??

[Polgarra]

And where are good places to get shot?

[mnoelker]

Hey guys-I'm using the standard jewelry shot that I got from Rio Grande. Here's a link that came up during a Google search that has a much better price, BUT I am not endorsing this company because I'm not familiar with them. It's a great price so maybe someone else can chime in that knows about them. Otherwise just do a search for stainless steel jewelry shot and you'll find lots of options.

http://mamasminerals.com/products/St...y-Mixture.html

[krisdaka]

Connie Fox sells shot, http://conniefox.com/

[mnoelker]

Thanks Kris!

[jaci]

thanks

[T. Lady]

Originally Posted by mnoelker

Some of you who are smarter than me (lol) have probably already figured this out but I thought I'd share a tip that has really saved me time. I make and sell a lot of beaded keys. I like to have

Then it dawned on me to try throwing them in the tumbler with steel shot and a couple of drops of soap. Brilliant!! They not only come out crystal clean but the beads loosen from the key while they are tumbling. All I do is dump the contents of the tumbler (be careful because it's messy with all the soap and release) into a kitchen strainer and rinse thoroughly.

One more quick note...I tumble for about an hour then check the keys. Be careful not to leave them tumbling for too long or the release washing around in there will start to etch the beads. I had a batch I left too long come out not as shiny as they went in. Hope this helps!

I just purchased a used double barrel tumbler (woohoo) from craigslist. It's been years since I tumbled rocks, so I'm feeling around in the dark a bit with this new equipment.

Do you also add the grit to the shot, or just shot? If so, what grind?
Thanks.

[Elizabeth Beads]

No grit. It will etch the beads. I use shot alone, no soap.

[T. Lady]

Originally Posted by erose

No grit. It will etch the beads. I use shot alone, no soap.

Do you put in water?

Also, I'm looking to clean my keys before putting hot glass on...some are quite rusty or oily.

[purpledragonfly]

I was just in Harbor Freight the other day and they have a single barrel tumbler for $39.99

[mewkittie]

I tumble my keys beforehand. I use stainless steel shot and water, along with a squirt of dishwashing soap. They come out nice and clean. The only problem is some of my shot goes into the barrels of the keys and I have to bang the pieces out by hitting the keys on the side of the sink. Probably not the best idea but it works.

Sometimes my shot isn't clean after so I will tumble just my shot with water and soap and it comes out all shiny.

[BellaBean]

Originally Posted by T. Lady

I just purchased a used double barrel tumbler (woohoo) from craigslist. It's been years since I tumbled rocks, so I'm feeling around in the dark a bit with this new equipment.

Do you also add the grit to the shot, or just shot? If so, what grind?
Thanks.

Adding grit etches your beads, yes. But it creates a beautiful "beach glass" look.

[mnoelker]

I don't clean my keys first but they get cleaned pretty well when I tumble them, and I like them to look old and weathered. I put the shot in the tumbler, fill with water to just cover the shot, add a drop or two of soap and tumble.

[Elizabeth Beads]

Yes, sorry, shot and water. And I tumble them after I make the beads on them.

[T. Lady]

Thanks everyone for all of your help! I could only find steel BB's locally today, so I'm using it to clean the keys until I can receive an internet order. These keys are sooooo rusty!

[28676bhe]

Try mixing some white vinegar in with the water. Works for me!

Barbara

[CSimi115]

I know that when I do fusing I use CLR (Lime & Rust remover) to get leftover kiln wash off my glass. It might help to soak the beads with that. Also, do these beads get annealed?

Thanks
Chris S.

[T. Lady]

Originally Posted by CSimi115

I know that when I do fusing I use CLR (Lime & Rust remover) to get leftover kiln wash off my glass. It might help to soak the beads with that. Also, do these beads get annealed?

Thanks
Chris S.

Chris, I've used LimeAway, pretty much same as CLR. And yes, I anneal all beads that I make!

[2tumblingdragonz]

Mary, I saw pics of your keys and bobbins in the gallery, they are gorgeous.
Thanks for posting this, too.
I got a tumbler but have been too "shy" to use it. This thread helps build confidence!

namaste
Rowyn

[mnoelker]

Thanks Rowyn! Tumbling is super easy. Let me know if you have any questions.

[BeadBlossoms]

Question: I did this and tumbled my keys with stainless steel shot. Now my shot is the color of gun metal, not shiney. Have I ruined or contaminated the shot? I'm afraid to use it with sterling now