tumbling / steel shot size

What *size steel shot is best for tumbling silver? I found some for
very cheap (5# for about $10-12) in the Cabella's Reloading catalog,
so I'm going to visit their local store here in my area. But they
have about 5 or 6 different sizes of shot.

Does anyone know what size steel shot works best in a tumbler for
silver? Thanks!
--
Linda

Get mixed shape stainless steel and Cabella's won't have that. Check Indian
Jewelers, Rio, your local rock shop. Sometimes it is just as cheap to get
locally when you consider shipping.

Susan W

"bluemaxx" wrote in message
news:GhISa.108647$N7.15461@sccrnsc03...
What *size steel shot is best for tumbling silver? I found some for
very cheap (5# for about $10-12) in the Cabella's Reloading catalog,
so I'm going to visit their local store here in my area. But they
have about 5 or 6 different sizes of shot.

Does anyone know what size steel shot works best in a tumbler for
silver? Thanks!
--
Linda

On Mon, 21 Jul 2003 02:33:10 GMT, "bluemaxx"
wrote:

What *size steel shot is best for tumbling silver? I found some for
very cheap (5# for about $10-12) in the Cabella's Reloading catalog,
so I'm going to visit their local store here in my area. But they
have about 5 or 6 different sizes of shot.

Does anyone know what size steel shot works best in a tumbler for
silver? Thanks!

If I were you I would pay the extra money to buy stainless
steel shot. With steel shot, you have to tumble the shot
separately with a different solution after every tumbling,
then spread it out to dry, or it rusts. I get mine from Indian
Jewelers Supply, gallup NM. Believe me, it's worth the
extra money. If you insist on going the less expensive
route, stay with stuff about 1/16 to 1/4 inch in size. Shape
is also important. You want a variety of shapes to fit into
a variety of spaces. If everything you are buying is round
buy 2 or 3 sizes, so that all the nooks and crannies get
their needs met.
Barbara
Dream Master
www.dreamweaverstudio.com

"We've got two lives, one we're given,
the other one we make."
Mary Chapin Carpenter

Thanks, Vivki - Susan & Barbara! I just received a catalog from
Santa Fe Jewelers that has stainless steel shot in it with a very
nice picture. I see what you all meant about the different sizes of
shot! There's thin pieces and fat tube pieces and triangles and all
sorts of shapes. I didn't realize that I needed different *shapes
to reach into all the corners of my silver pieces, but I do now.
Thanks again!
--
Linda

"Barbara Otterson" wrote in
message ...
: On Mon, 21 Jul 2003 02:33:10 GMT, "bluemaxx"

: wrote:
:
: What *size steel shot is best for tumbling silver? I found some
for
: very cheap (5# for about $10-12) in the Cabella's Reloading
catalog,
: so I'm going to visit their local store here in my area. But
they
: have about 5 or 6 different sizes of shot.
:
: Does anyone know what size steel shot works best in a tumbler for
: silver? Thanks!
:
: If I were you I would pay the extra money to buy stainless
: steel shot. With steel shot, you have to tumble the shot
: separately with a different solution after every tumbling,
: then spread it out to dry, or it rusts. I get mine from Indian
: Jewelers Supply, gallup NM. Believe me, it's worth the
: extra money. If you insist on going the less expensive
: route, stay with stuff about 1/16 to 1/4 inch in size. Shape
: is also important. You want a variety of shapes to fit into
: a variety of spaces. If everything you are buying is round
: buy 2 or 3 sizes, so that all the nooks and crannies get
: their needs met.
: Barbara
: Dream Master
: www.dreamweaverstudio.com
:
: "We've got two lives, one we're given,
: the other one we make."
: Mary Chapin Carpenter
: