How to Use a Vibrating Rock Tumbler
Rotary rock tumblers are often the first introduction people have to the art of polishing rocks. Vibrating rock tumblers are a rock-polishing option that can achieve results in less time. Each vibrating rock tumbler will use a different number of grit and measurement of water. However, for all rock tumblers, the key to achieving beautiful polished rocks is to maintain a creamy consistency of grit mixture and to check on the tumbler often.
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Things You'll Need
- Bag of grit mixture 180-220
- Water
- Large container
- Dishwashing detergent
- Tin oxide
- Rapid polish
Instructions
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Steps to Use a Vibrating Rock Tumbler
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1
Rinse a large assortment of rocks with water. Rocks can be a mixture of sizes from small to large. The total amount of rocks should equal to four and a half pounds.
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2
Fill the barrel of the rock tumbler with the rocks. The barrel should must be full during the tumbling process. If the barrel is not full after the grinding process, add more rocks.
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3
Fill the cap of the rock tumbler half way with water, and add it to the barrel. Add two tablespoons of 180-220 grit to the barrel, as well.
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4
Place the barrel firmly into the frame of the rock tumbler. Turn the rock tumbler on.
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5
Stop the tumbler every 12 to 24 hours to add water. Remove the cap from the barrel, and submerge the barrel in a container of water.
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6
Remove the rocks from the barrel, and clean them off in the container of water.
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7
Return the rocks to the barrel, and add fresh grit, as well as another half cap-full of water.
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8
Return the barrel to the tumbler, and let it run. Continue removing the barrel, rinsing the rocks and adding fresh grit every 12 to 24 hours. Repeat for five to seven days, depending on the hardness of the rock, as well as how much agate you want removed to achieve a particular rock shape.
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9
Thoroughly rinse rocks, once they have reached their desired shape. Return the rocks to the barrel and add a half teaspoon of 600 grit to the barrel. Turn the tumbler back on, and run for 24 hours.
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10
Remove the rocks from the barrel and thoroughly clean both the rocks and the barrel. Return the rocks to the barrel and add a half teaspoon of Tin Oxide and Rapid Polish. Lusterite Polish can be substituted for Rapid Polish. The polish will help achieve an even, polished finished to the rocks. Run the tumbler for 24 hours.
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11
Remove the rocks from the barrel, and thoroughly clean the rocks, as well as the barrel.
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Tips & Warnings
Each time you remove the rocks from the barrel, add a few drops of dish detergent 15 minutes before removal to make cleaning the rocks easier.
Always make sure the grit mixture stays at a creamy consistency. Thick mixtures will not do anything to the rocks and can damage the tumbler.
Do not pour used grit mixture down the drain. The grit mixture will settle and clog drains.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
