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Call the Rock Experts 1-888-762-5746
Rock Tumbler Instructions at the Bottom of the Page |
Thumler's, Lortone,
& Covington Quality
Rock Tumblers Make
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& Supplies |
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*Estimated ship dates, are just an estimation and do not guarentee that items will be shipped on or before that date. Items with an estimated ship date next to the description indicate we are currently waiting for our shipment of these items.
Rock Tumbling Basic Instructions
1. Fill the rock tumbler barrel 2/3 to 3/4 full of rocks.
2. Add water to just below the top of the rocks (so you can see it between the rocks, but not covering the rocks).
3. Add grit. (Grit is listed in tablespoons.)
|
Barrel Size |
Step 1 |
Step 2 |
Pre-Polish |
Polish |
|
1.5# |
4 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
3# |
4 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
4.5# |
8 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
|
6# |
10 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
12# |
20 |
20 |
25 |
25 |
4. Let each step run 7-10 days.
5. Make sure there is no grit transferred from one step to the next.
What are Plastic Pellets For?
Rocks wear down during the tumbling process. Because of this, a filler is needed to bring the barrel back to 3/4ths full level. Plastic Pellets are the perfect filler. Besides providing volume, they protect your rocks from chips and scratches. Use Plastic Pellets in the "polish" stage to help achieve a professional gloss! We include them in our kits to ensure your rock tumbling success.
Rock Tumbling Expanded Instructions for 3 lb Capacity Rock Tumbler
Adjust Silicon Carbide Grit Quantity Using the Chart Above for Other Tumbler Sizes
*Fill the barrel ¾ of the way full with rock.
*Add water to the level of the rock in the barrel.
*Add 4 tablespoons of the Step 1 grit.
*Close the barrel and let it run for 5-7 days. We recommend choosing a day of the week and changing it the same day every week.
*At the end of the 5-7 days, take everything out and wash it--preferably outside. It will not hurt your grass, animals, or plants, however it can cause your drain pipes inside to clog.
*Put the rock back into the barrel.
*Add water to the level of the rock in the barrel.
*Add 4 tablespoons of Step 2 grit.
*Close the barrel and let it run 5-7 days.
*At the end of the cycle take everything out and wash it.
*Put the rock back into the barrel.
*Add water to the level of the rock in the barrel.
*Add 6 tablespoons of Step 3 grit.
*Close the barrel and let it run 5-7 days.
*At the end of the cycle take everything out and wash it.
*Put the rock back into the barrel. You should realize it is about half full of rock now even though you started with it ¾ of the way full.
*Add water to the level of rock in the barrel.
*Add plastic pellets into the barrel until it is back to ¾ of the way full.
*Add 6 tablespoons of Step 4 grit.
*Close the barrel and let it run 5-7 days.
*At the end of the cycle take everything out and wash it.
At this point you should see very shinny rocks! The following last step is 100% optional.
*Put the rock back into the barrel.
*Add water to the level of the rock in the barrel.
*Add 2 tablespoons of dish soap flakes to the barrel.
*Close the barrel up and let it run for about 2 – 4 hours.
These instructions work for our 4-Step Grit Kit. You can use them with any hobby quality tumbler and any grit kit that is comparable. These instructions will not work for rock tumblers and grit kits that use pre-rounded rock, Tripoli polish, or other major variations in components.
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