Rock Tumbler Instructions

The most common type of rock tumbler is a rotary drum tumbler. It polishes rocks by simulating the action of the ocean waves. Rotary tumblers polish rocks much more quickly than the ocean, but it still takes some time to go from rough rocks to polished stones! Expect the process to take at least a month from start to finish.

Use these instructions as a starting point for your tumbling. Keep records of the type and quantity of rock and grit/polish, and duration of each step. Use this information to refine your technique for the best results.

Materials List

* Rotary tumbler
* Rocks (all the same approximate hardness in a load)
* Plastic Pellets
* Silicon Carbide Grits (You may add a 400 mesh SiC step, if desired, before polishing)
* Polishing Compounds (e.g. alumina, cerium oxide)
* Lots of Water

Procedure

* Fill the barrel 2/3 to 3/4 full of rocks. If you don't have enough rocks, you can add plastic pellets to make up the difference. Just make sure to use those pellets only for coarse polishing and use new pellets for the polishing stages. Keep in mind that some plastic pellets float, so make sure you add them to the proper volume before adding water.
* Add water so that you can see it between the stones but do not completely cover the stones.
* Add grit (see chart below).
* Make sure your charged barrel falls within the weight allowance for the rotor to be used.
* Each step runs for at least a week. For the first step, remove the barrel after 12-24 hours and open it to release any gas buildup. Resume tumbling. Don't be afraid to open the barrel periodically to make sure a slurry is forming and to check the progress of the process. The tumbler should have a uniform tumbling sound, not sound like tennis shoes in a dryer. If the tumbling is not uniform, check the level of the load, formation of slurry, or mixture of rock sizes, to make sure these things are optimal. Keep notes and have fun!
Further Reading:
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