Usage Instructions for Rock Tumbler Plastic Pellets
After you load your stones in your barrel, fill the remainder of the barrel with plastic pellets to the level recommended by the tumbler manufacturer. Generally, this is usually about ¾ full.
When used, these pellets will help cushion your stones, improve tumbling action and help quiet the process.
Be sure to use a fresh batch of pellets with every grit size or polish change since the pellets can never be perfectly cleaned once embedded with a particular grit size.
You can reuse the pellets - just make sure you mark which grit you used with them so when you re-use them, you use with the same grit size.
Usage Instructions for Rock Tumbler Ceramic Cylinders
After you load your stones in your barrel, fill the remainder of the barrel with ceramic cylinders to the level recommended by the tumbler manufacturer. Generally, this is usually about ¾ full.
When used, these cylinders will help cushion your stones, improve tumbling action and help quiet the process.
Since these are ceramic, you can reuse the cylinders by washing them thoroughly before the next grit stage.
In Steps 3 &4, don’t use fresh ceramic. Only use ceramic that has already been tumbled in earlier steps (so edges will be knocked off). Run the tumbler for another 7 days.
Usage Instructions for Rock Tumbler Grit Kits
Follow these instructions for using a 3 lb. tumbler. Remember to Keep Out of Reach of Small Children. Wear protective eye wear and respiratory mask when working with fine powders. Wash eyes thoroughly in case of contact.
Select the rocks you are going to polish. All of the rocks should be about the same hardness. Use a mixture of smaller and larger rocks, if you have them.
STEP 1 COARSE - Clean your tumbler before you fill it. Fill the barrel about 2/3 full with rocks. If you don’t have enough rocks to fill it this full, you can add plastic pellets or ceramic cylinders to make up the difference. This will protect and cushion the rocks that you have in your tumbler. Add 2 tablespoons per lb. of rock of Step 1 coarse 60 grit media. For instance, add 4 tbs. for a 2 lb. tumble. Finally, fill the barrel with enough water to just cover the rocks and seal the barrel. Run the tumbler for 7 days.
After 7 days, rinse the rocks with water by straining through a colander over a bucket and discard outside. Do not put anything down your drain. Wear safety glasses. Discard any broken or fragmented rocks. If you notice some rocks are not tumbled enough, repeat Step 1 Coarse Tumble again. Don’t use materials from Step 1 in Step 2. You can save your Step 1 plastic pellets – just wash and dry them and place them in a bag labeled ‘Step 1’ for next time. You can wash ceramic cylinders along with the rocks and then use them again in Step 2.
STEP 2 MEDIUM - After getting off all the coarse grit from your stones, refill the clean barrel with rocks, 2 tablespoons per lb. of rock of Step 2 medium 180/220 grit media, water and plastic pellets or ceramic cylinders (if you have them). Run the tumbler for another 7 days.
After 7 days, rinse the rocks again, along with ceramic cylinders, if you are using them. Save any broken fragments for tumbling later in Step 1. If using plastic filler, save your Step 2 plastic pellets in a bag for later Step 2 uses.
STEP 3 PRE-POLISH – After getting off all the medium grit from your stones, refill the clean barrel with rocks, 1 tablespoon per lb. of rock of STEP 3 fine 500 grit media (3 tbs. per full 3 lb. barrel), water and plastic pellets or ceramic cylinders (if you have them). In Steps 3 &4, don’t use fresh ceramic. Only use ceramic that has already been tumbled in earlier steps (so edges will be knocked off). Run the tumbler for another 7 days.
After 7 days, rinse the rocks again, along with ceramic cylinders, if you are using them. Set aside any broken/fragmented rocks. If using plastic filler, save your Step 3 plastic pellets in a bag for later Step 3 uses.
STEP 4 FINAL POLISH – After getting off all the fine grit from your stones, refill the clean barrel with rocks, 1 tablespoon per lb. of rock of STEP 4 Aluminum Oxide polish media (3 tbs. per full 3 lb. barrel), water and plastic pellets or ceramic cylinders (if you have them). Run the tumbler for another 7 days.
At the end of this step, your rocks should be bright and shiny. If your stones have some scratches, repeat Steps 2-4. If they have a dull finish, burnish them by placing the stones in the barrel with the normal amount of water and ½ tablespoon of Ivory Soap slices for every lb. of stones. Run up to several days but check them periodically to see if they are ready.
In order to keep track of your tumbling progression, record what you tumble, the amount of time, grit type and amount, and notes about the tumble.
