The Kitiki Rotary Tumbler Kit 2 is a studio kit, ideal for jewellery, metal clays such as Art Clay and PMC, gold, and silver. It consists of a medium motor base, a 950gm rubber barrel, 1000gms of mixed stainless steel shot and shapes, and 500gms of barrelling compound to keep the drum clean. The body is long enough to hold two 510gm drums, being 36% longer than the body in Kit 1.

The CE-marked fully-enclosed motor is rated at 230V 15W, so can use a regular mains socket. Since the tumbler uses less power than a fridge bulb, the cost of using it is about a penny a day. It measures 195mm x 105mm x 200mm, weighs about 2kg, and comes with a 1.8 metre cable ending in a UK plug.

The drive belt is toothed and nylon reinforced, so it won't slip or wear out quickly. The rubber barrel revolves quietly; the drum lid has a leak-proof easy-to-fit lid with a seal and a retaining collar; the tumbler has rubber feet to stop it creeping across the worktop and falling off when you're not there; and the rubber rollers and rollerball end-stops keep the drum in the correct position.

As you can see in the photo, a 950gm drum uses the full width of the tumbler body, although you could use two 510gm drums if some work needs a long tumbling time and other pieces just need a quick freshening up. The 950gm is often called a full-size or 3lb drum, and the 510gm a half-size or 1.5lb drum.

To make sure that the manual is always up-to-date, we don't put one in the box. The latest version is free, and can be printed here, using the link below the menu bar.

To look at a larger photo, hold your mouse over the zoom button below. The photo is 480px x 360px and about 64KB so, if you're not on broadband, it'll take a short while to download.

Zoom: Kitiki Tumbler Kit 2.

Plastic drum lids need to stand in hot water to make them easier to push on. To free the lids, the whole drum needs to stand in hot water. There's a slight risk that, as you pull the lid off, you'll spill your work, shot or grit, and soapy water.

Rubber drums use a different lid mechanism: at one end there's an inner metal lid, a rubber sealing ring, a metal outer lid, and a retaining threaded collar. They're easier to work with than plastic drums, and much quieter in use.

The stainless steel shot, included in some of the rotary tumbler kits, is not just round but a selection of shapes, such as pins, planetoids, and spheres, designed to deal with the range of contours on jewellery.

Although the shot is 100% stainless steel, don't leave it lying around wet: either leave it immersed in the tumbler mix of water and cleaner, or rinse it and dry it carefully.

If you need to replace the shot, don't economise and buy plain or mixed steel: unless you're meticulous about cleaning and drying them every time you use them, they will soon rust, make a mess, and ruin your work.

Grit, included in the craft rotary tumbler kit, is the generic name for the particles used to grind and polish: usually silicon carbide, a hard, sharp, angular material. In use, it fractures into smaller angular particles, so is a very effective abrasive. Grit sizes are confusing, for example: 400 grit particles are not twice the size or half the size of 200 grit particles. You'll soon learn which grit to use for different materials, shapes, and finishes.

A silicon lubricant is used during the manufacture of rubber drums. Before use, clean the drum with a scouring pad and some washing-up liquid.

To learn more about working with metal clays, buying and using kilns and tools, or choosing a course, look at The Art Clay Club, using the The Art Clay Club link above the menu bar.

The Art Clay Club is an information resource, not a shop, providing free on-line help, 24 7 52: you don't have to register, log on, or remember a password.