Raytech Tumbler Instructions

Preparation and Stage One

• 1

  Remove the second bowl from the metal shaft. The second bowl is used for final polishing to avoid grit contamination. Attach the rubber lined nut, included in the Raytech kit, on the metal shaft to lock the attached bowl in place against the base. A fully tightened nut bulges rubber at the connection point.

• 2

  Locate the four bags of grit included with the tumbler. Identify the first bag of grit. This is the most coarse material and is comprised of silicone carbide in the 100 grit to 120 grit range. Set the other three bags of grit aside.

• 3

  Open the first bag of grit. Spoon 2 tbsp. of grit into the bowl on the rock tumbler. Add up to 3 pints -- or 4 lbs. -- of rock to the bowl. Rocks should be free of debris and dirt. Add 4 tbsp. of water to the bowl if the rocks are dry. If the rocks are recently rinsed, add 2 tbsp. of water to the bowl.

• 4

  Place the clear plastic lid onto the top of the bowl. Secure the lid to the bowl with the second rubber nut provided in the kit.

• 5

  Turn on the tumbler. Operate the tumbler for five to ten days before advancing to the next stage.

Stage Two and Three

• 6

  Turn off the tumbler. Unscrew the lid from the tumbler bowl. Drain the sludge from the bowl and discard. Rinse the rocks until the grit is removed. Pour out any remaining water.

• 7

  Add 2 tbsp. of fresh water. Add 2 tbsp. of grit from the second bag. The second bag contains fine grit silicone carbide. Attach the lid. Turn on the tumbler for one to two days.

• 8

  Turn off the tumbler. Remove the lid and discard the sludge. Rinse the rocks and bowl to remove remaining traces of the second coarse abrasive.

• 9

  Add 2 tbsp. of the pre-polishing grit, typically "lolox 50." Add 2 tbsp. of water. Attach the lid and operate the tumbler for one day.

Stage 4: Polishing

• 10

  Turn off the tumbler. Remove the lid from the tumbler. Rinse the rocks and bowl to clear the sludge. Pour out the rocks onto a plastic sheet. Rinse the rocks with water while scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush to remove any trace of grit.

• 11

  Remove the nut securing the bowl to the base of the tumbler. Replace the bowl with the second bowl reserved for fine abrasives. Attach and tighten the nut to secure the bowl in place.

• 12

  Add 2 tbsp. of polish from the fourth bag to the bowl. Add 2 tbsp. of water to the bowl. Add the rocks. Attach the lid with the rubber nut.

• 13

  Operate the tumbler for one to two days. Examine the rocks every eight hours during the operational maintenance. When the rocks are polished to the desired sheen, turn off the tumbler.

• 14

  Rinse and dry the stones.

Operational Maintenance

• 15

  Pause the tumbling every eight hours during any operational cycle. Perform operational maintenance in every stage of tumbling.

• 16

  Remove the lid from the bowl.

• 17

  Add water to the bowl to compensate for any evaporated water and to restore proper tumbling action.

• 18

  Replace the lid. Tighten the nut. Turn on the tumbler.