How to clean old and antique bottles! The easy way! Cleaning old or antique bottles with a homemade bottle tumbler! TUMBLER FOR CLEANING: amzn.to/31rhrPg
I know a guy that built a home made rock tumbler out of ordinary pieces. Bearings rods and a old motor with a gear reduction mad it about 6 feet long. Mage his own tubs like you did. I'm sure don't cost as much as going out and buying one just some time. If you want more info I may be able to find more info Michael
Well that's a funny coincidence, I just asked you earlier today on way to clean my bottles, then just now I find this awesome video here and the best part is that I have a rock tumbler. Thanks again for sharing such entertaining and educational videos , I'll be checking out more from your channel.
Thanks for the tip on the pvc tube. I have the same tumbler. I need to upgrade. I used the chain and copper bb's hand method on bottle cleaning. Takes forever.
thanks for video, my fiacce wants to use some antique bottles for a flower display for our wedding later this year and I'm going to have to make something like this to clean them up.
That is a cool idea it Better then scrubbed it with just a bottle brush and a number 7 copper wire but I have a trick try putting rain x on it, it will make it shine good
Brilliant way to clean bottles. I bought a cold mineral water bottle which has a pinched neck and a glass marble in the neck. It wasn't to dirty but adapted a cotton bud with elastic band to long plastic stem. Sprayed stem with white vinegar was bit awkward but did get some muck off.
Hey there good idea , have the same set up but I use 3-4” rubber end caps which work Very good and also I have PCV pipes bored from the inside for bigger bottles and press down on the rubber end caps that keeps the Bottle centered and if the tube is too long I use plastic lids to bring the bottle up so it sticks up over the Canister about 1/8 to 1/4 inch then press dwn and it will keep it centered
If you dont have access to copper shavings, I've always went and just bought me a box of BBs for a BB gun. Emptied them out in a washcloth or coffee filter of a small bottle.
Several of your bottles appear cloudy. I suspect your copper is too course and causing micro pitting. You are also filling your canisters too full of copper. If you substitute glass pellets like used in weighted blankets instead of copper you will have to tumble a bit longer but have better results
Great idea I would have never thought of a tumbler...I wonder if using copper bbs for a pellet gun would work, maybe easier to get in and out of bottles? Thanks for the idea!
Exactly what I was thinking metal polishing media. I would think the copper BB is a perfect polishing media for glass bottle and a mild soapy solution or CLR break down the monorail deposits.
I just use a tooth brush and steel wool and a pipe cleaner for small bottles then after completely cleaned I use MR Sheen polishing spray, couldn’t be anymore perfect and shiny
I was thinking about making a bottle tumbler, seems easier to buy a rock tumbler and use it for bottles. But for bigger bottles you need a custom machine. I'm thinking you can use copper wire, strip off the insulation and chop it up.
Have you had a problem with any of the bottles wearing down from rubbing the sides of the container were it is not tight inside of it or is that why you basically embed the whole bottle in copper
when I'm cleaning the inside of small neck bottles, i put rock salt and a splash of water and shake it for a few minutes . it gets the majority of gunk out.
Have you tried pre-soaking bottles in vinegar to make it easier to remove mineral deposits? I've had success doing that with stuff around the house. Also, do you know of a way to use a Dremel, perhaps with wool tips and a rubbing compound, to remove stubborn mineral deposits without scratching the glass? Thank you, Peter
Just a question. At the very beginning of the video when you're showing the before and after of how the bottles will look. What are the two dark blue/green glass objects that are the same? I saw those recently and was wondering what they were.. they're up in front of the bottles when you shift from the old bottle to the clean bottle on both sides.
Machine shops want to recycle their copper scrap for money, so you may have to pay the scrap rate. I cut up copper wire scraps into "Gravel" and use it inside with water & shake. Chore Boy brand dishwashing.pads are copper scrubs. I've even dug them up.
Have you tried a vinegar bath for the bottles? Mud is calcium and vinegar should break that bond with the glass. Then use the tumbler to polish the glass
Brass pellets for a BB gun may work as well and would be easier to fill, and how long do you tumble them for, before you even look to see how there doing?
Hey there - I have an old bottle that has corrosion or cement material to Sela it and not I want to open the bottle put the top is stuck- it’s all glass and the sealant is cemetery of some kind
I did the same modification but my Clorox bottle doesn’t spin when I put it on the tumbler. It’s too slick and it doesn’t spin. How’d you get your Clorox wipes bottle to spin?
I've just started learning about bottle cleaning but I cant find why everyone is using copper? I have used walnut, corncob, sand, coal slag, crushed glass, baking soda for many different projects. Sometimes in a small ball mill, vibrational tumbler or in a big cement mixer. So now I'm curious what the benefits to using copper is? Is there any negatives using it? I haven't seen any explanation in any videos yet either. Thanks for the great video and $ saving idea.
Copper is just the right amount of aggressive. It actually will remove layers of glass to get past imperfections. The only downfall of copper is the expense and if you run the tumbler too long you may weaken embossing.
Hey buddy i have the same tumbler, question is …. Do u cut before you polish n do you add more water then copper or more copper then water , i usually cut for 3-5 days and Polish 3 days ? Any suggestions would be appreciated, THANK YOU 🙏 , Jim
Okay. Couple questions. How long to you tumble your bottles? Is there any other media that works besides copper that's not so expensive like sand for instance? I scuba dive rivers and i find hordes of old bottles every single time. I'm starting to get an obsession with them. Problem is I need a fast way to get these babies clean. Let me know what you think
Usually a few days in the tumbler will do it. I havent found anything better than copper currently. But I will keep you posted if I find something better!
I see the new PVC setup has raised lines on the caps for gripping. Don't those cause the container to rotate unevenly, as well as make more racket? Can you just shave them off?
Hey bud could you tell me how this works n does the shaft spin the PVC and how does it rotate on there ?what size tumbler from HF Did you order ??? Have you ever tried to add Bars Keeper with the copper
@@adventurearchaeology Thanks! I have tried everything on my ten gallon jug. It just stays cloudy, when I wash it, seems clean for the day then turns cloudy once it dries. I now finally tried bleach. What would you recommend for pure cloudy 1943 wine glass carboy? If the bleach does not work should I do the lime away one or the amonia. God I hate using these lol
Hey bud it’s me again lol I’m trying to get this down I’ve done 2 bottles so far they where sick on the outside and inside but I tumbled it for 24 hours and it hazed up what chemicals do you use? What is your thoughts or how do you go about loading the tube and bottle other than that man it works very well glad you shared this
Hey bud how is the upgrade tube I went and bought the tumbler and made the same tube as you but when you put the cooper and bottle in the tube the tumbler will not turn the tube so I’m not sure what I’m doin wrong or what what is your thoughts
Daniel Welch I will say that i had to put some rubber bands around the pipe to make it grip the rollers. But that clorox wipes container is still just as easy.
The wipes container may be easier to be honest! Now that ive been using it a couple weeks i dont see a lot of benefits. The duct tape part is a little frustrating but really does keep it sealed better.
You say you are lazy but all that work of loading the large copper a pinch at a time and unloading it with all of that shaking seems work/time consuming to me lol. But what do I know you are the pro. I like that little bike myself. Continue on professor !!! @@adventurearchaeology
I know a guy that built a home made rock tumbler out of ordinary pieces. Bearings rods and a old motor with a gear reduction mad it about 6 feet long. Mage his own tubs like you did. I'm sure don't cost as much as going out and buying one just some time. If you want more info I may be able to find more info
Michael
Well that's a funny coincidence, I just asked you earlier today on way to clean my bottles, then just now I find this awesome video here and the best part is that I have a rock tumbler. Thanks again for sharing such entertaining and educational videos , I'll be checking out more from your channel.
Nice vid. I just made one of these using an old paper shredder with plug current control, so far so good 😂
thank you for this amazing hack!! Ive used alcohol( distilled would work best ) and coarse kosher salt. works wonders on gunk!
Don't know how I missed this one . Very interesting , does a really good job !
Thanks for the tip on the pvc tube. I have the same tumbler. I need to upgrade. I used the chain and copper bb's hand method on bottle cleaning. Takes forever.
thanks for video, my fiacce wants to use some antique bottles for a flower display for our wedding later this year and I'm going to have to make something like this to clean them up.
Grind off the bumps(ridges on the clean out adapter) for smoother operation.
Definitely...... I ran into a issue with that haha
That is a cool idea it Better then scrubbed it with just a bottle brush and a number 7 copper wire but I have a trick try putting rain x on it, it will make it shine good
I learned a lot by watching this. I’m planning to clean all the ones I found this summer. Thanks for this video
I'll be setting one of these up myself! Really helpful video!
I am going to try this, thanks for sharing
Brilliant way to clean bottles. I bought a cold mineral water bottle which has a pinched neck and a glass marble in the neck. It wasn't to dirty but adapted a cotton bud with elastic band to long plastic stem. Sprayed stem with white vinegar was bit awkward but did get some muck off.
I'm a lazy bottle cleaner. Definitely need to hit harbor freight to get that Rock tumbler. Thanks for the tumbling idea. Great instructional.
Relicfinds with Baltimorebottledigger Any time!
Nice hack on that rock tumbler. Another digger I follow uses cut-up stainless flatware + sand. Both yield great results.
Charlie O hmmm ive never heard of using stainless. I would figure that would scratch the glass instead of polish!
Charlie O maybe ill try some stainless on my next bottle! Haha
I think the mix of sand and water helps. I'll hafta watch his bottle-tumbling video again and make sure I'm getting the details right.
Hey there good idea , have the same set up but I use 3-4” rubber end caps which work Very good and also I have PCV pipes bored from the inside for bigger bottles and press down on the rubber end caps that keeps the Bottle centered and if the tube is too long I use plastic lids to bring the bottle up so it sticks up over the Canister about 1/8 to 1/4 inch then press dwn and it will keep it centered
About to start at my first bottle dump. I’ve got a tumbler so I can modify that. Thanks for the idea. New sub from the UK
If you dont have access to copper shavings, I've always went and just bought me a box of BBs for a BB gun.
Emptied them out in a washcloth or coffee filter of a small bottle.
We use thicker gauge copper wire and rigged up a cutter using a simple drill press cuts copper wire in to perfect size bits in no time.
I see other folks using those tumblers as well... they seem to work well👍👍⛏⛏
I need to get a bottle tumbler
Great Video
Dig On
I’m building one now but right from scratch. Have the frame figured out and then motor. Just waiting on parts for the rollers.
Definitely gonna have to get one of those rock tumblers, awesome man.
Travis Wyant yah it does the job!
Excellent video SD! Thanks for all the great info!
Russ Balbirona Thanks!
Several of your bottles appear cloudy. I suspect your copper is too course and causing micro pitting. You are also filling your canisters too full of copper. If you substitute glass pellets like used in weighted blankets instead of copper you will have to tumble a bit longer but have better results
many old bottles come out of the ground cloudy. calcium deposits most likely and nearly impossible to completely remove.
Great methods
Great idea I would have never thought of a tumbler...I wonder if using copper bbs for a pellet gun would work, maybe easier to get in and out of bottles? Thanks for the idea!
I have a friend that used copper bbs and he said they worked great!
@@adventurearchaeology Do you think bead blasting beads would work or are they too small?
Exactly what I was thinking metal polishing media. I would think the copper BB is a perfect polishing media for glass bottle and a mild soapy solution or CLR break down the monorail deposits.
I just use a tooth brush and steel wool and a pipe cleaner for small bottles then after completely cleaned I use MR Sheen polishing spray, couldn’t be anymore perfect and shiny
Nice. Thanks for the information on a tumbler.
I was thinking about making a bottle tumbler, seems easier to buy a rock tumbler and use it for bottles. But for bigger bottles you need a custom machine. I'm thinking you can use copper wire, strip off the insulation and chop it up.
I see bottles from the Pratt City bottling company. I grew up in Pratt City.
Great and informative video. I am going to make a tumbler as soon as I can.
Yes. But how to clean for instance the stopper and top on the old school water jugs of glass and milk. The kind with stoppers. Thanks
Copper BB's mixed with walnut shells work great
Use a old blender to make you chips.motr fine???🤷♂️just a thought lol I'm biulding a tumbler today I gotta figure out a fuselage to hold the bottles
Have you had a problem with any of the bottles wearing down from rubbing the sides of the container were it is not tight inside of it or is that why you basically embed the whole bottle in copper
Daniel Welch No problems with wear. I typically I only leave it running for 24 hours. The copper does help as a buffer too though.
Any suggestions on how to clean up old coke (soda) bottles without damaging the screen printing?
I did something similar for rifle and pistol brass except I used the 4” PVC and a treadmill. I love it. The wife hates it.
when I'm cleaning the inside of small neck bottles, i put rock salt and a splash of water and shake it for a few minutes . it gets the majority of gunk out.
try rubbing alcohol. salt does not dissolve
You learn something new everyday....soooooooo cool!😀
I think your idea is a good one, but I think I’d swap out for a carton or two of BB’s.
How do I clean a clay or stoneware bottle i just pulled from the river? Will the acid kill the clay?
aint that somethin - sweet little Kaw and all we care about is getting and cleaning bottles =i used to ride/ work on somethin every day
Can you show how you hole the bott still of do the shavings hole it in place?
Have you tried pre-soaking bottles in vinegar to make it easier to remove mineral deposits? I've had success doing that with stuff around the house. Also, do you know of a way to use a Dremel, perhaps with wool tips and a rubbing compound, to remove stubborn mineral deposits without scratching the glass? Thank you, Peter
I have used vinegar. It works. As for a dremel I have never done that haha!
Great video ❗💯🔥👍
How do you locate these bottle dumps. Thanks i also want that kawasaki motor cycle
Ian Cameron I have a video on finding dumps. Its one of my first videos I made.
Ice chips with salt works good
Nice solution!
925inder Thanks! It works well for me!
Can you use aluminum instead of copper in the tumbler
Just a question. At the very beginning of the video when you're showing the before and after of how the bottles will look. What are the two dark blue/green glass objects that are the same? I saw those recently and was wondering what they were.. they're up in front of the bottles when you shift from the old bottle to the clean bottle on both sides.
The blue green objects are insulators. Sometimes marked Hemingray. The squat blue bottles look like ink bottles.
Machine shops want to recycle their copper scrap for money, so you may have to pay the scrap rate. I cut up copper wire scraps into "Gravel" and use it inside with water & shake. Chore Boy brand dishwashing.pads are copper scrubs. I've even dug them up.
Genius
Have you tried a vinegar bath for the bottles? Mud is calcium and vinegar should break that bond with the glass. Then use the tumbler to polish the glass
Mark would that work using a ultrasonic cleaner too?
@@bridgethaig8923 yes. Maybe add dish soap to break the petroleum based bonds as well.
Brass pellets for a BB gun may work as well and would be easier to fill, and how long do you tumble them for, before you even look to see how there doing?
Hey there -
I have an old bottle that has corrosion or cement material to Sela it and not I want to open the bottle put the top is stuck- it’s all glass and the sealant is cemetery of some kind
Great video! Good info!
Diggin With Deej Thanks!
Fantastic! Thanks :)
I may have missed it in the video, but how long do you typically tumble them for?
Same way I would of done it too!!
I did the same modification but my Clorox bottle doesn’t spin when I put it on the tumbler. It’s too slick and it doesn’t spin. How’d you get your Clorox wipes bottle to spin?
Ive never had any issues. Thats odd.
Elastic bands would do it
Awesome informative video. Thanks for sharing.
I've just started learning about bottle cleaning but I cant find why everyone is using copper? I have used walnut, corncob, sand, coal slag, crushed glass, baking soda for many different projects. Sometimes in a small ball mill, vibrational tumbler or in a big cement mixer. So now I'm curious what the benefits to using copper is? Is there any negatives using it? I haven't seen any explanation in any videos yet either. Thanks for the great video and $ saving idea.
Copper is just the right amount of aggressive. It actually will remove layers of glass to get past imperfections. The only downfall of copper is the expense and if you run the tumbler too long you may weaken embossing.
Hey buddy i have the same tumbler, question is …. Do u cut before you polish n do you add more water then copper or more copper then water , i usually cut for 3-5 days and Polish 3 days ? Any suggestions would be appreciated, THANK YOU 🙏 , Jim
Hey is there a way to share an image I found in my yard? Trying to find out what it is. Thanks
I just bought a vibrating tumbler so you have any experience with a vibration tumbler?
I have a dirty old Ships decanter. Really hard to clean. Looks like crap. Any advice?
So clever !
nice
Where can I best gauge values of my bottle collection online.
Check previous sells on Ebay.
I’m trying to make the same tumbler you have. Already have the rock tumbler. How much copper is needed to tumble a bottle?
Okay. Couple questions. How long to you tumble your bottles? Is there any other media that works besides copper that's not so expensive like sand for instance? I scuba dive rivers and i find hordes of old bottles every single time. I'm starting to get an obsession with them. Problem is I need a fast way to get these babies clean. Let me know what you think
Usually a few days in the tumbler will do it. I havent found anything better than copper currently. But I will keep you posted if I find something better!
i like to get the inside junk out with some aquarium gravel and detergent.
Have you ever found a Meadow Gold milk bottle? I
I see the new PVC setup has raised lines on the caps for gripping. Don't those cause the container to rotate unevenly, as well as make more racket? Can you just shave them off?
Yes they ended up being a problem. I would recommend interior caps.
This is great for smaller bottles but what about large jugs ???
All by hand on the large stuff!
Hey bud could you tell me how this works n does the shaft spin the PVC and how does it rotate on there ?what size tumbler from HF Did you order ??? Have you ever tried to add Bars Keeper with the copper
Smart! Gonna make one
Couldn't you use a funnel to put the copper chips into the bottle you are cleaning?
I do with my fine shavings. Not with these they’re to stringy.
I thought u dipped them in lsd?
So copper doesnt scratch the glass? I have a large jug I am wondering about.
Copper does not!
@@adventurearchaeology Thanks! I have tried everything on my ten gallon jug. It just stays cloudy, when I wash it, seems clean for the day then turns cloudy once it dries. I now finally tried bleach. What would you recommend for pure cloudy 1943 wine glass carboy? If the bleach does not work should I do the lime away one or the amonia. God I hate using these lol
WOW!
Hey bud it’s me again lol I’m trying to get this down I’ve done 2 bottles so far they where sick on the outside and inside but I tumbled it for 24 hours and it hazed up what chemicals do you use? What is your thoughts or how do you go about loading the tube and bottle other than that man it works very well glad you shared this
The hazing maybe due to uneven polishing of the bottle and grinding away the glass.
This is a great idea but sadly does not appear long enough to tumble my 13 -13.5oz beer & soda blobs... Am I mistaken ?
It's possible with modifications to accommodate size and shape.
Wonder how copper BB's would work?
Ive heard well but have never tried it!
How long do you normally tumble the bottles for?
Dan Q. I do 24 hours just to clean. I know some guys with professional tumblers who leave them in for 5 days.
We use bird shot instead of copper.
Remember to wash it out lead residue is useing buckshot.
@@MattStMarie-bm5sq yes we do , people use them for all kinds of thing so better safe then sorry.
Southern Diggers, lol. Thanks for the video.
Hey bud how is the upgrade tube I went and bought the tumbler and made the same tube as you but when you put the cooper and bottle in the tube the tumbler will not turn the tube so I’m not sure what I’m doin wrong or what what is your thoughts
Daniel Welch I will say that i had to put some rubber bands around the pipe to make it grip the rollers. But that clorox wipes container is still just as easy.
The wipes container may be easier to be honest! Now that ive been using it a couple weeks i dont see a lot of benefits. The duct tape part is a little frustrating but really does keep it sealed better.
Can you use steel shavings.
Too Harsh of a material. It will just scratch the glass.
@@adventurearchaeology Glass is harder than steel though.
Yes you could as long as it's a soft steel like spring steel you don't want to remove too much of the glass.
Instead of copper shavings would bb shot work as in a bb gun ammo
Ive heard of a few people doing that and it supposedly worked. But I have never tried it.
You say you are lazy but all that work of loading the large copper a pinch at a time and unloading it with all of that shaking seems work/time consuming to me lol. But what do I know you are the pro. I like that little bike myself. Continue on professor !!! @@adventurearchaeology
I'm worried about breaking my bottles or scratching it
Use a different method
i have a hudson bottle,with hudson's printed in the left and right side,also on the bottom.I dont have the cap.I wonder what bottle is that
Really not sure, it is very hard to keep up with all of the different bottles so I only focus on the bottles from my state.
stone polishers bottle polishers we don't polish turds Genesee Ten Horse beer NYC
I think you pack too much copper in there... No room to move around...
Like!
I buy bottles
"I put all of those chips in there by hand one pinch at a time"... bro... have you heard of a funnel
Those chips were too stringy for a funnel hah that’s why I have since upgraded my setup. I really should take this video down haha