Home >> Science & Nature >> Rocks & Minerals

How to Build a Vibrating Rock Tumbler

Building your own vibrating rock tumbler can be a fun and educational activity for you and your children. It can also be cheaper than purchasing a new rock tumbler at the store. Vibrating rock tumblers bought in some stores can cost up to $200.

Things You'll Need

Sturdy metal or wood base
Drive belt
Metal or plastic jar
Small rotary motor
Wheels
Pulleys
Mounting brackets

Instructions

- 1
  Take a heavy piece of wood or metal and place it on the table or workbench where you plan to operate your rock tumbler. This should be a sturdy area and the wood or metal platform should sit evenly. It can be as large as you need - but at the least should be 1 foot long by 1 foot wide.
- 2
  Mount the wheels and pulleys on top of the baseboard using the mounting brackets. Depending on the size of your rotary motor, you will need several sets of wheels and pulleys to hold both the motor and the jar in place.
- 3
  Mount the metal or plastic jar on top of the wheels and pulleys so that it is firmly in place.The jar should rest between the wheels comfortably and be sitting a few inches above the baseboard.
- 4
  Mount the small rotary motor and drive belt on the opposite end of the baseboard. This will power the tumbler and allow the rocks to move around the jar.
- 5
  Hook the belt from the motor around the jar. This will allow the jar, on top of the wheels to vibrate and tumble the rocks inside the jar.

Rocks & Minerals