Lapidaryforum.net

Rock Art => Tumbling => Topic started by: HoosierGuy on December 13, 2022, 06:12:09 PM

Title: Tumbler Grit/Media Recommendations
Post by: HoosierGuy on December 13, 2022, 06:12:09 PM
New guy here seeking a general recommendation for grit and media.  I have a dual rotary tumbler and a Lot-O.   I plan to start my batches in the rotary and take them to the Lot-O for subsequent polishing.

I realize that the recommendations may need to know what kinds of stones are being tumbled, but I'd like to be smart about what types of media/grit I buy, and how much.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Tumbler Grit/Media Recommendations
Post by: bilquest on December 13, 2022, 08:13:03 PM
To save some finger strain on the keyboard, here's a link to a page that has a good recommendation for how much and what types of grit to use:

https://rocktumbler.com/grit.shtml

Then, for about a 50% savings, buy your grit from:

https://www.johnsonbrotherslapidary.com/Silicon_Carbide_Grit.html

Tumbling can be rewarding and disappointing.  Like all things lapidary, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't... the fun in in the journey.  The above links should get you off to a good start.  Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
Title: Re: Tumbler Grit/Media Recommendations
Post by: lithicbeads on December 14, 2022, 11:34:00 AM
Thats a good plan . I find increasing the time  that you tumble the fine grits works well. I normally do everything twice over from 600 grit up with any vibe tumbler. Corncob bits  with diamond grit is a fabulous way to get an excellent pre polish on dedicate items , again for an extended time. I love ceramic media all the way through for agates and jaspers in a vibe. The corn cob is  used without media.