A rock tumbler is a useful instrument for aspiring metal detectorists to clean and polish discovered material, giving it the gleaming appearance that makes it suitable for exhibition. These devices are also useful for polishing brass and creating jewelry.
Adding rocks, water, and grit to a barrel that gently tumbles is how to rock tumbling works. It is powered by a tiny motor that wears away all of the stone’s sharp and rough edges over a period of a few weeks, leaving you with a smooth silky finish.
The 4-step tumbling procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1: coarsely grind the ingredients.
Step 2: Grind on a medium setting.
Step 3: pre-polish / fine grind
Step 4: polish
1. Dan&Darci Advanced Rock Tumbler
The Dan&Darci Advanced Rock Tumbler has complex features that help you achieve the greatest outcomes while still making it simple to use. You may pick from three different speeds and a timeframe that ranges from one to nine days. There are even two LCD panels that are crisp and easy to see that show the speed and the number of days left on the timer. You may halt the process at any moment without having to worry about your settings being erased.
The barrel is designed to be leak-proof and includes rubber material that aids to decrease noise. Aside from that, this package includes all of the equipment you’ll need to get started on your project right away.
Features:
- Display displays with LCD technology
- 3 speeds to choose from
- 9-day countdown
- Motor with a lot of torque
- Stainless steel cover on a low-noise barrel
- The pause/resume button is located on the right side of the screen.
Pros:
- Simple to set up and use
- Because of its small size, it’s easy to put up any place.
- The barrel has a good seal and looks to be waterproof.
Cons:
- The barrel may slide off the rollers at higher speeds.
Also Read: 6 Best Metal Detecting Sand Scoop In 2022
2. Tumble-Bee TB-14 Rotary Rock Tumbler
The Tumble-Bee TB-14 tumbler can easily handle stones, glass, and metals. It has a well-made broad barrel with rubber material to reduce any unwanted noise. This is backed up by a strong fan-cooled motor with thermal overload protection that allows it to tumble 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a considerably lower danger of overheating.
Starting with the brightly illuminated on/off switch, the Tumble-Bee TB-14 is simple to use. Because this is a four-step kit, you’ll have everything you need. It includes pre-measured pebbles, as well as three grit kinds (coarse, medium, and fine) and polish.
Features:
- AC motor, 115V, fan-cooled
- Rubber barrel with a capacity of 4 lbs.
- The bottom is made of ABS plastic with metal reinforcement.
- Barrels with built-in guides.
- On/off power switch with illumination.
- Housing that is devoid of rust.
Pros:
- The motor is simple to maintain.
- The set includes a considerable number of starting rocks.
- Work is completed at a good rate.
Cons:
- It’s possible that you’ll have to put in less weight than the recommended limit.
3. Tru-square Metal Products Single Barrel Rock Polishing Tumbler
The Tru-square AR-1 Rock Tumbler is designed to perform at a professional level. It’s a strong machine that’s also compact for simple travel, so you can easily transfer it and set it up wherever you need it. The barrel is large enough to allow you to tumble many boulders at once without difficulty. Along with the tumbler, you’ll get a large supply of pebbles to play with, which is perfect if you’re just getting started and need some time to gain your bearings.
This also includes jewelry findings, so you can start making something straight away. There’s also no need to acquire anything additional to get started because this contains a four-step procedure.
Features:
- The motor is 110V/60Hz.
- It has 1 gallon rubber barrel.
- Comes with 3 pound capacity
- A guide for rock polishers
- grit (two packages)
- polish (two packets)
Pros:
- The tumbler has a strong and trustworthy feel about it.
- The barrel has a good seal.
- Because the motor has sealed bearings, it does not require oiling.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have an on/off switch, so you have to plug it in and remove it for it to function.
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4. Leegol Electric Vibratory Rock Tumbler
Leegol’s Electric Vibratory Rock Tumbler is suitable for both wet and dry materials. As a result, if you prefer to use a wet medium, it comes with a drain hose for ease of usage. It tumbles at a faster rate than rotary tumblers because it is vibratory. As a result, this may be better suited to those who already have some rock tumbling experience. It’s much more so because it’s a professional-grade item.
Features:
- Electrical input: 120V/60Hz/0.5A.
- Motor casing made of 18-gauge steel.
- Vibratory bowl, 18 lbs.
- ‘Sewer hose’.
- Rubber-soled shoes.
- Drum and lid made of polyethylene.
Pros:
- A powerful motor is included.
- The barrel is large enough to store a lot of liquid.
- In a short amount of time, he manages to tumble.
Cons:
- The bottom plastic material may be made of a more durable substance.
5. National Geographic Rock Tumbler Kit
You don’t simply receive the tumbler with this product because it’s a whole kit. You’ll also get 3 pounds of rocks. Because there are nine distinct types of gemstones found in these rocks, the ultimate outcome will be unique. A strainer and four different degrees of grit are also included to get you started. This kit also includes 5 jewelry fastenings if you want to make anything. The accompanying GemFoam may be used to provide a nice sheen to your rock collection. The 3-speed control system makes controlling this tumbler a breeze. It may also be programmed for 1 to 9 days, so it can last as long as you need it to.
Features:
- A long-lasting motor
- Stainless steel cover on a leak-proof barrel
- The operation that reduces noise
- Timer for automatic shutdown
- LCD displays
- Changing the speed
Pros:
- For safety, it stays cold to the touch.
- Process of rapid tumbling
- It’s easy to use
Cons:
- If a large number of rocks are utilized at the same time, it may shut down.
6. Leegol Electric Rotary Rock Tumbler
The Legal Electric Rotary Rock Tumbler is one of the cheapest rock tumblers on the market that does an excellent job. It has a twin-barrel design that allows you to tumble more rocks at the same time. The rubber barrel is also designed to be quiet and leak-proof, so you won’t have to clean up any spills throughout the process.
Beginners should be able to use this device with ease because it is simple.
Features:
- The motor is 120V/60Hz.
- barrel capacity of 3 lbs (x2)
- V-Belt
- The aluminum lid on a rubber barrel
- Body made of sheet metal
- walnut shell media (0.5 pounds) (x2).
Pros:
- Comes with clear instructions for a quick set-up.
- It is quieter than anticipated.
- Cleaning the drums after each step is simple.
Cons:
- If the belt snaps, it might be difficult to replace.
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Tumblers Buying Guide
When selecting which rock tumbler is ideal for you, there are a few things to look for and consider:
Barrel Size:
When picking a tumbler, one of the most important considerations you’ll have to make is the barrel size.
When buying a tumbler, you’ll find that the sizes are measured in pounds, with 3 lb being the most popular size for beginners and enthusiasts.
The size you pick is mostly determined by two factors: the number of rocks you want to tumble on at one time and the size of the rocks you want to tumble.
If your barrel is too big, you may have to make up the difference with grit and other media.
Always attempt to fill your barrel with your rocks to around 65-75 percent capacity. If you buy too big, you’ll have to buy additional pebbles to fulfill the tumbler’s minimal requirements.
Barrel Material:
Barrels were originally constructed of items such as paint cans and were noisy enough to wake your neighbors in the middle of the night!
For the best rolling of the pebbles and noise reduction, barrels are now generally composed of plastic or high-quality rubber.
The amount of noise the tumbler creates is one of the main worries individuals have while considering whether or not to go into rock tumbling. After all, these machines are on for weeks at a time, running 24 hours a day. Rubber barrels also aid in the rolling of your rocks and provide a more cushioned surface to protect them from harm.
Multiple Barrel Configuration:
Simply sort your rocks into different barrels according to their hardness.
Another significant advantage of a multi-barrel tumbler is the ability to run batches in phases — let me explain. You won’t be able to tumble other batches until the current batch has completed its cycle, which might take many weeks.
Brands:
If you’re buying something other than a toy tumbler for a child, you’ll want to go with one of the more reputable brands, which have the superior build quality and longer warranties.
Remember that your tumbler will be running 24 hours a day, seven days a week for weeks at a time, thus the motor and belt (among other components) must be of excellent quality if you want it to last.
Greater brands will have better warranties as well. A one-year parts and labor guarantee will be included with most Lortone and Thumler tumblers.
Rotary vs Vibratory Tumblers
The most popular form of rock tumbler is a rotary tumbler, which is what most people think of when they think of a rock tumbler. However, there is another type of tumbler that may be used for a variety of purposes and is worth addressing in this article.
They’re known as vibratory tumblers, and they’re best employed for the tumbling process’ latter, polishing phases. Without getting into too much depth (I have covered this in my rock tumbling tutorial), a vibratory tumbler should only be used to polish rocks, not to shape them.
