When beginning a new hobby, it is important to know where to start. The best place is to get to know what sort of equipment you will require. Hopefully, I can offer you a few tips on the correct rock tumbling supplies.
You need a tumbling machine. It rotates the barrels that we will discuss later. They come in all different sizes, so be sure to do a little research before purchasing your first one.
Barrels should be next on your list. These hold the rocks throughout the process. The one negative aspect of the barrels is that they need to be replaced at least once a year. Rocks are banging around in them for a very long time and the barrels are made of plastic!
Buy four barrels to start with. There are four basic steps in rock tumbling and you need a barrel for each one.
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.
Now we have reached the point when you need cerium oxide polish. When the tumbling is done and all of those rough, sharp edges are removed, you need to put them into a fresh, clean barrel. Then you add the cerium oxide and some water. You know that part of the process when the stones appear to be shiny and a resemble glass? Well, this step is what makes that happen. Since you only need a tiny bit of polish for each batch, you can buy a very small container at first.
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!
You need a tumbling machine. It rotates the barrels that we will discuss later. They come in all different sizes, so be sure to do a little research before purchasing your first one.
Barrels should be next on your list. These hold the rocks throughout the process. The one negative aspect of the barrels is that they need to be replaced at least once a year. Rocks are banging around in them for a very long time and the barrels are made of plastic!
Buy four barrels to start with. There are four basic steps in rock tumbling and you need a barrel for each one.
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.
Now we have reached the point when you need cerium oxide polish. When the tumbling is done and all of those rough, sharp edges are removed, you need to put them into a fresh, clean barrel. Then you add the cerium oxide and some water. You know that part of the process when the stones appear to be shiny and a resemble glass? Well, this step is what makes that happen. Since you only need a tiny bit of polish for each batch, you can buy a very small container at first.
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!
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