Rock Tumbler Tips

Clean the Barrel

• Clean the barrel after every use and between the stages of use. If the barrel is not cleaned, it can lead to excess grit and stones in the barrel. The grit can then grind against the other stones, leading to a poor polish. Inspect the barrel between uses and use water and paper towels to clean out any of the grit.

Just Add Sugar

• According to the Rock Tumbling Hobby website, adding a little sugar to the final polish stage can give your stones an extra shine. A tablespoon should be more than enough. Any more may cause the machine to collect extra grit, which can lead to scratches instead of a fine polish.

Super Glue

• Using super glue with your stones can help fill up cracks and prevent grit from getting into these areas and ruining your polish. Dip them in the glue and spread it using a toothpick. The coat should be thin enough to be invisible. Let the stones sit until the glue is dry and then begin your polish.

Oil the Brushes

• Oiling the brushes on the tumbler can help keep them clean. It can also help keep the polishing process running smoothly. Use a syringe to apply the oil to each brush lightly. Putting too much oil on the brushes can cause it to splash when you start the tumbling process. Apply enough to make the brushes damp. If the brushes are dripping, you have applied too much oil.

Barrel Balance

• Rock tumblers need water to keep the grit watery. If the barrel is under-filled with water, the grit can become thick slurry that can slow down the polishing process. If it becomes thick enough, it can even damage the tumbler's motor as it struggles to work. If you do under-fill, add water between the tumbling processes to break apart the slurry.

Use Round Stones

• Polishing nearly round stones speeds up the polishing process. It also helps to avoid excess waste, like grit and slurry. Limiting your waste helps your machine operate more smoothly. The Rock Tumbling Supplies website suggests going to beaches to find round stones. Beach stones are often round due to the erosion of water and wind.