Sanding Equipment for Stones

Tumblers

• Tumblers toss stones with polishing rock, grit or polish to smooth them. Rotating tumblers turn the stones inside a rubber-lined barrel, vibrating tumblers use a cyclone effect to move the stones around a bowl and down the center, and sonic tumblers use interrupted electrical currents to rotate the load with vibrations.

Cabbing Machines

• Cabbing machines use either carbide or diamond wheels to sand, grind and polish stones, a carborundum or diamond belt for final sanding and a polishing disc for final polishing. A water system keeps the belts wet during grinding and sanding.

Laps

• Laps produce smooth surfaces on geode halves and stone slabs. The weight of the rock holds it in place on the flat sanding surface while the lap pan vibrates underneath to sand and polish the stone.

Other Equipment

• Safety glasses and a dust mask protect against stone chips, shards and rock dust. A dop stick holds the stone during grinding and shaping. Stone carvers use wet/dry silicone carbide sandpaper to finish soft stone or intricately carved pieces.