Rock Tumbler Grit

Rock Tumbler Grit

What can I use in a Rock Tumbler?

I have a 'rock tumbler'and I wondered if I could use some grain besides'coarse'.

You can use anything that is as hard or harder than what polishes. The grinding media characteristics have a major effect on what results. If you use sand, it will work very slowly. If you use beach sand, is a very very slowly because the individual grains are already "smooth" themselves, ie, the points have already been demolished. You get better results and faster when using abrasive again. good luck

B1A1 Rock Tumbler 175 pounds 1 of 2

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2 ROCK TUMBLER POLISHING ABRASIVES GRIT PACK 300 POLISH $32.90

rle LORTONE 3A ROCK TUMBLER WITH FULL-SIZED LORTONE GRIT KIT, NEW, MADE IN USA! $95.50

Rock Tumbler SiC Grit Kit Polish Up to 15 Lbs of Rocks! $34.99

Rock Tumbler SiC Grit Kit Polishes 1.5 Lbs of Rocks ! $8.99

5 lbs 500 Grit Silicon Carbide Rock Tumbler Polishing $34.78

1 lb ROCK TUMBLER 220 GRIT SILICON CARBIDE POLISHING TUMBLING MEDIA LAPIDARY $11.50

Rock Tumbler SiC Grit Kit Polish Up to 15 Lbs of Rocks! $34.99

Tin Oxide Polish Tumbler Cabs Rocks Grit One lb BJs $35.00

Thumler's Tumbler Rock Polisher AR-1 #102 for Rock Tumbling Set + Grit Pack NEW $129.50

Red Rouge Polish Brass Rock Tumbler Grit Lapidary 1 lb BJs $12.50

Prepolish Aluminum Oxide Rock Tumblers Grit Lapidary Supplies 1lb BJs $8.50

2# Medium Rock Tumbler Grit 220 Grits Lapidary BJs $9.00

Thumlers Tumbler Accessory Kit-Grits/Rocks/Jewelry THU709 $47.47

1 LB COARSE ROCK TUMBLER 36 GRIT SILICON CARBIDE LAPIDARY TUMBLING $4.95

2 LB COARSE ROCK TUMBLER 36 GRIT SILICON CARBIDE LAPIDARY TUMBLING $8.95

3 LB COARSE ROCK TUMBLER 36 GRIT SILICON CARBIDE LAPIDARY TUMBLING $12.95

4 LB COARSE ROCK TUMBLER 36 GRIT SILICON CARBIDE LAPIDARY TUMBLING $15.95

2 THUMLERS ROCK TUMBLER POLISHING ABRASIVES GRIT POLISH $35.75

Rock Tumbler SiC Grit Kit Polish Up to 15 Lbs of Rocks! $34.99

Rock Tumbler SiC Grit Kit Polish Up to 40 Lbs of Rocks! $69.99

NEW ROCK STONE GLASS JEWELRY POLISHING TUMBLER GRIT SET $11.99

2 ROCK TUMBLER POLISHING ABRASIVES GRIT PACK 300 POLISH $32.90

1 LB Medium120/220 Grit Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $10.95

3 LB Coarse 60/90 Grit - Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $21.00

Lortone ROCK TUMBLER with Grit Kit $127.50

3 LB Coarse 46/70 Grit - Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $21.00

1 LB Coarse 60/90 Grit - Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $10.55

1 LB Super Fine Polish for Stones Rock Tumbler Grit $12.25

1 LB Coarse 46/70 Grit - Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $10.15

3 LB Medium120/220 Grit Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $23.50

1 LB Coarse 46/70 Grit - Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $4.55

1 LB Fine 500/600 Grit Pre-Polish Stones Rock Tumbler $11.50

Lortone ROCK TUMBLER with Grit Kit $145.50

Large Rock Tumbler Grit Kit for Polishing Stones $30.00

1/2 LB Super Fine Polish for Stones Rock Tumbler Grit $6.95

1 LB Coarse 60/90 Grit - Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $4.55

1 LB Medium120/220 Grit Tumble Stones in Rock Tumbler $4.95

1 LB Fine 500/600 Grit Pre-Polish Stones Rock Tumbler $5.50

Jade's Grit Pack for Polishing Stones Rock Tumbler $87.50

Grit Kit to Tumble and Polish Stones in Rock Tumbler $11.95

Lortone ROCK TUMBLER with Grit Kit $145.50

Rock Tumbler SiC Grit Kit Polish Up to 15 Lbs of Rocks! $34.99

3/4lb barrel Rotary rock tumbler complete grit kit to polish 3/4lb of your rocks $7.25

6lb Rotary Rock tumbler complete grit kit-to polish 6lbs of your stones $11.25

12lb Rotary Rock tumbler complete grit kit-enough to polish12lbs of your stones $19.95

A rock tumbler is a tool commonly used by rock collectors and geologists to polish rocks. It is amazing to see a rough rock transformed into a beautiful gem, just be spending time in the tumbler. This article explains how to use a rock tumbler to make it perform its’ magic.

For an aspiring geologist, gemologist, or mineralogist, a rock tumbler can be both a toy and an educational tool. However, there are many types suited to different purposes, and not all of them will work for an amateur.

A standard rock tumbler kit can be found at most toy stores. This rock kit usually contains the tumbler along with some rocks, grit, and a few jewelry findings. With proper care, a good rock kit can be used over and over and can last indefinitely. However, the small size and small power of the motor will limit the size of rocks that can be used. Should the tumblers break, it may be difficult to find replacement parts. More than likely you would be looking at buying a new rock kit.

The type of rock kit available from toy stores includes rotating or rotational Rock Tumblers. In a rotating tumbler, the rocks fall over and over, rolling around and polishing them as they collide with one another, similar to the way mountain rocks are polished by the steady collision with a mountain stream. It is advisable to choose a rock kit made by a company that has been around for a while in case you need a replacement part.

Vibration (or “agitating”) tumblers are higher quality and generally more expensive form of rock tumbler. Instead of physically rotating the rock, vibration tumblers either use ultrasound or spin around the vertical axis. They work much more quickly, one to two weeks, as opposed to about a month for a rotational tumbler. They also maintain the essential shape of the rock, rather than producing a uniformly round rock. So unless you want all of your rocks to have the same basic round shape, you will need to consider a vibration rock kit. They are a bit quieter as well.

Size is extremely important. Rock tumblers are sized according to the weight of the load they can continuously bear. Since it can take a month or more for a rotary tumbler to polish a rock, it is important that the tumbler can handle the weight of the rock. The most common cause of rotor failure or broken belts is an overloaded barrel. Large barrels can hold both large and small rocks, but small barrels can only hold small rocks. This seems logical, but on the day that your tumbler breaks, you will regret purchasing a small barrel!

At the same time, large barrels generally cost more money (no surprise), and you will need to balance your budget against the size and type of rocks you hope to polish.

Once you’ve chosen and purchased your tumbler, you will also purchase a few accessories for your polishing. You will need Vaseline to seal the barrel against leaks- an ordinary store brand of petroleum jelly is fine. You will also need extra grit, unless of course you want to use the grit purchase as an excuse to buy a nicer tumbler! Keep in mind the time that will be required to tumble (a week or two for vibration or a month for rotational tumblers) and the noise that will be generated by the tumbler. If noise is a concern, you may want to purchase a large cooler to insulate and minimize the sound.

A basic rock tumbler can inspire a future career in the geology or gemology. It can also lead to the purchase of a larger and nicer rock kit!  Some children may be satisfied with a simple rotary tumbler as a supplement to their rock collection, while others may seek better tumblers in their quest to collect amazing rocks. Regardless of what kind you get, a rock tumbler will inevitably be an educational and entertaining toy.

About the Author:

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about rock tumbler sets plus many other science kits and educational materials. Click here to download our free rock kit guidebook filled with helpful tips, ideas and information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Use a Rotary Rock Tumbler Kit

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Rock Tumbler Refill Classic $21.1 Rock Tumbler Refill kit includes, 8 oz. of Precious Stones, .63 oz. of Coarse Grit, .81 oz. of Polish and 1.02 of Medium Grit and .17 oz. of White Glue.