The initial cost outlay is a little high. If you do very many small item pieces or severely hate doing it by hand then it's worth it. The media cost will depend on the size of tumbler you get. You'll need coarse, medium, fine ceramics and either charged walnut shell or corn cob. The 4.75 gal needs 15 lbs. of each ceramic and 10 lbs. of walnut or cob. The media is reusable. Caswell has the additive to recharge the walnut or cob.
Each media type gives an approximate run time
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/...y_tumblers.htm
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