We use "THUMBLERS" tumbler. It is about a 1 gallon size. I use green Ivory soap, about a 1/8 cup, old screws #4 or larger, about 1 cup full, fill tumbler half full w/ water, throw in items to be tumbled, can be brass or nickel wheels, etc. Do not mix heavy items such as driver wheel gears, or steel truck frames w/ the brass items, or the brass items will take a beating. I leave tumble for about 8 hours. Next, open tumbler, drain off water in a 'sifter', rinse thoroughly, remove the tumbled parts from the screws, and set out on a towel to dry. If doing wheels, make sure to allow at least 24 hours to allow water in wheels to completely dry. If not dry, it will ruin the polishing media. This completes the "CLEANING" stage. We use walnut shells for polishing. I found the cheapest place to buy is at "Bass Pro Shops", or "Cabellas". The walnut shells are green in color and come in gallon jug size. To polish: Put your 'completely' dry items in tumbler and pour in about 5 cups of the walnut shells. I let this mixture tumble for about 3 - 4 days. I then pour all items into the strainer, sifting the walnut shells into a cardboard soda box, ( these are about 14" X 18") , to catch the walnut shells. You can reuse the walnut shells over & over for about a dozen times before changing or adding new. The parts come out beautiful. Harry 
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