How to Use a Rolling Stones Rock Tumbler
Rock tumbling is an excellent hobby for rock collectors of all ages. It is an easy way to demonstrate the process of natural erosion and can produce semiprecious gemstones worthy of display in jewelry, home decor pieces or in a rock collection. The Rolling Stones rock tumbler is an excellent beginning rock tumbler for children as well as adults. Using it is simple, but the process is loud and can take a few weeks to complete.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Coarse rock tumbler grit
- Medium rock tumbler grit
- Polishing compound
- No-suds scouring powder such as Ajax
- Old toothbrush
Instructions
-
-
1
Rinse 1/2 lb. small stones and place them in the barrel of the Rolling Stones rock tumbler. Add 1 tbsp. coarse grit to the barrel, then add enough water to cover the stones. Place a small drop of vegetable oil on your finger, then wipe the barrel's rim and the lid's inside rim. Replace the lid, then start the machine. Put the barrel into the base and let it run for 48 hours. The water in the barrel should be sludgy and gray. Add more water to cover the stones if necessary. Replace the barrel and allow the tumbler to run one to two days or until the stones lose their deep pits, large gashes, and rough points.
-
2
Open the barrel, then pour the rocks into a bowl or pail of water. Rinse the stones with water to remove all of the coarse grit. Carefully rinse the barrel and lid to be sure that all of the coarse grit is removed.
-
-
3
Place the rocks back into the tumbler and add 1 tbsp. medium rock tumbler grit. Add enough water to cover the rocks. Place the barrel into the base and turn on the machine. Allow it to run for 12 to 14 days before moving on to the next step. Then rinse the rocks and barrel as in step 2.
-
4
Scrub the inside of the barrel with soap and an old toothbrush, cleaning away as much of the gray color as possible. Place the rocks back into the tumbler and add a small amount of non-sudsing scouring powder, such as Ajax. Add water to cover the rocks, then put the lid back on the barrel. Place the barrel into the base and let it run for about 2 hours to remove all of the grit that may be left in the barrel from previous steps.
-
5
Remove the rocks, then rinse the rocks, barrel and lid thoroughly. Place the rocks back into the barrel and add 1.5 tbsp. polishing grit. Add water to just under the stones, then replace the barrel's lid. Place the barrel into the base, and allow the tumbler to run for at least seven days. Remove the rocks from the barrel, then rinse and dry them.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Buy refill kits for your rock tumbler at any online hobby or geology store.
Never allow rock tumbler grit to go down your drain. It may harden and clog the drain.
References
- Photo Credit precious stones image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
