What You Need to Know About Rock Tumbling Supplies.

You have decided to start something new and different for a distraction from the daily grind. The problem is that you are not sure where to begin. This should help you at least with the basics of the rock tumbling supplies you need first.

If you are going to tumble rocks it makes sense that you should get a tumbling machine. It does it exactly what it says, it tumbles. Scout around a bit before buying one, though. They do come in many sizes and you want to get the best one for your needs.

Barrels are the very essence of rock tumbling. They hold the rocks while in the tumbling machine. They will only last about a year with heavy use. They are mainly made using plastic, so getting beat up by rocks can wear them down fairly quickly.

Since the rock tumbling process consists of four steps, you will need one barrel for each step. So, plan on starting with four barrels.

Now, we get down to the nitty gritty. Well, really just grit. Silicon carbide abrasive grit is used next. There are different sizes, but you will only need three to start with. Hardware, home improvement and rock or mineral stores are where to find this.

The three sizes you need are two hundred twenty, four hundred, and eighty. Just one tub of each grit will be plenty to get you started. Don’t be afraid to ask a store employee for assistance if you are confused.

We are almost done with our list. We cannot forget the cerium oxide polish. After all that rough and tumble is done, you place the rocks, polish and water into a fresh barrel. This will make them glossy. You can get just a small amount of this at the store. You just use a tiny bit at a time.

Okay, pellets are last. You must have round and plastic pellets. They protect the rocks from damaging each other while tumbling. They get tossed in at the beginning of the process and really help keep chipped rocks to a minimum.

So, there you have it. You are on your way to become a fantastic rock tumbler!