Rotary Rock Tumblers

Often referred to as standard rock tumblers, rotary rock tumblers are the most commonly used tools among hobbyists and professional rock tumblers alike. Designed for ease of use and beautiful results, rotary rock tumblers are a great way to create smooth polished stones and jewelry for retail or personal use.

How do rotary rock tumblers work?
Rotary rock tumblers usually consist of a metal cylinder, which is attached to a base with a rotating barrel. The cylinder is filled with small rocks or "grit," and the rocks or material to be tumbled is then poured in. When the tumbler is turned on, the cylinder rotates on the barrel, allowing the rocks and grit to fall against each other in simulation of the way rocks roll over each other in rivers and streams. The tumbler turns very slowly, allowing the rocks to climb the cylinder walls and collect grit as they move. Gradually, the surfaces of the rocks are smoothed away, resulting in round polished stones.

What should I look for in rotary rock tumblers?
If you're looking at rotary rock tumblers, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. Good quality, heavy duty rotary rock tumblers should be made almost entirely of metal, and should have cylinders that are large enough to hold the amount of rocks you plan on tumbling at one time. Rotary rock tumblers come in a variety of sizes. Most smaller models will have enclosed motors, which are somewhat quieter to run.

Ensure that your rotary rock tumbler comes with a warranty and has replaceable parts, since some parts of the tumbler will have a tendency to break down before others. Rotary rock tumblers are fairly inexpensive compared to other types of tumblers, such as vibrating ones. You shouldn't have to spend a lot of money to get a good quality tumbler that suits your needs.