Tumblers with ammonia?

I also trumble lots of chains (other things too). I use a small
vibratory tumbler with about 7#s of assorted shapes of shot. 

Dave - I use a rotating tumbler with steel shot (asst. shapes and
sizes), would that make a difference? I will certainly give it a
try. Also, the burnishing soap was purchased and is specified for
silver and another for gold. I was told to use about 1 tablespoon.
It really foams up, but has not overflowed the tumbler. Any
suggestions? It seemed to do the trick on an oxydized silver piece
piece I did. I have not finished my gold piece yet… still working
on my clasp.

Heidi

Hi Heidi,

I use a rotating tumbler with steel shot (asst. shapes and sizes),
would that make a difference? 

Probably not, It’ll just take longer. Rotary tumblers are slower than
vibratory tumblers.

Also, the burnishing soap was purchased and is specified for silver
and another for gold.  I was told to use about 1 tablespoon. It
really foams up, but has not overflowed the tumbler. 

The main purpose of the burnishing soap is to act as a lubricant
between the shot & the items in the tumbler. I’m not sure a seperate
burnishing soap is needed for gold (unless you’re doing industrial
quantities). I’ve used the same soap for both gold & silver. Haven’t
seen any detrimental effects as yet. Actually, you can use any no or
low sudsing soap as a burnishing soap.

Dave