Rock Tumbler Supplies

Using the right rock tumbling supplies with your rock tumbler is important. The information below will help point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing rock tumbling supplies for your own projects, whether you're a professional or an amateur tumbler. Grit The grit used by rock tumblers is what causes the wearing down of the rock's surfaces. Commercial rock tumbling grit is made from silicon carbide and is available in varying degrees of coarseness. Traditionally, rock tumbling is done by first running a cycle with the coarsest grit, and working your way to the finest grit for the final stages. Some people prefer to use rocks and grit that they find in nature when tumbling their rocks. This isn't necessarily recommended, since commercial grit is designed to be uniform in size and hardness and gives you more predictable and successful results.

Polishes

If you're looking for a shiny finished rock, you'll need to invest in some rock polish for use after the final tumbling step. Many common commercial polishes are made from titanium dioxide- the same material used in making toothpaste. There is a wide selection of polishes and burnishing agents available today, and each one is ideal for use with a certain type of rock. Consider what rocks you will be polishing before you purchase.

Plastic pellets

Plastic pellets are used as rock tumbling supplies in order to cushion the rocks during the tumbling process. They can also act as a filler if you are tumbling less than a full load of rocks at once, and they help prevent chipping from the stones hitting against each other.

Screens and buckets

These rock tumbling supplies are used for cleaning the stones after the tumbling process. The screen should be placed over the bucket and used as a strainer to remove all grit from the rocks' surfaces. Try to use a screen made from polyethaline or another material other than metal, since metal screens can scratch or mar the surface of your rocks.