Rock tumbler

[Addlepated]

My girls got some polished rocks for Christmas and they would love to do some themselves. Has anyone ever used a rock polisher? Have any recommendations for a good one? I know where to find quite a bit of rose quartz, plus who knows what else, in South Texas. I thought it might be an interesting thing to do. Not necessarily like buying emeralds and rubies, but heck, this is the colored gemstones forum.

 

[The Joker]

It takes quite a bit of time to tumble polish gemstones. It is something that is not done in 5-10 minutes, it''s more like 3-7 days of tumbling. Here is a vibrator rock finisher from an auction on eBay. The vibrator works faster than a tumbler, but costs more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7308&item=7126219490&rd=1


Hope this information helps.

Joker....

 

[strmrdr]

I know several people who have this one and are happy with it:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46376

 

[widget]

Date: 1/10/2005 7

3:45 AM
Author: The Joker
It takes quite a bit of time to tumble polish gemstones. It is something that is not done in 5-10 minutes, it''s more like 3-7 days of tumbling. Here is a vibrator rock finisher from an auction on eBay. The vibrator works faster than a tumbler, but costs more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7308&item=7126219490&rd=1


Hope this information helps.

Joker....

Joker...is a vibrator rock finisher any quieter than a tumbler??

Years ago I bought a cheapo rock tumbler, but gave up almost immediately. Not only because it took so long, but because I was worried the neighbors might sue me for disturbing the peace!!

widget

 

[Addlepated]

Author: strmrdr
I know several people who have this one and are happy with it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46376

Ooh, Harbor Freight. I might send my husband, but then again I won''t see him for hours after.

From the little reading I''ve done it looks like the ones that vibrate are quicker, but need less jaggedy rocks. I know that whatever we get will take several days to a month to do a batch.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/10/2005 2:22:34 PM
Author: Addlepated

Author: strmrdr

I know several people who have this one and are happy with it:


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46376

Ooh, Harbor Freight. I might send my husband, but then again I won''t see him for hours after.


From the little reading I''ve done it looks like the ones that vibrate are quicker, but need less jaggedy rocks. I know that whatever we get will take several days to a month to do a batch.

I dont know of a list online but they are also more likely to shatter some types of stones.

 

[Addlepated]

Thanks to strmrdr''s suggestion, I checked out Harbor Freight, and it turned out that they had a double tumbler on same for the same price as the single one, so he bought it today. Now I guess I need to get some books to figure out what those hunks of rock might contain! Thank you for your thoughts on this, folks.

 

[The Joker]

Date: 1/10/2005 12

7:23 PM
Author: widget

Date: 1/10/2005 7

3:45 AM
Author: The Joker
It takes quite a bit of time to tumble polish gemstones. It is something that is not done in 5-10 minutes, it''s more like 3-7 days of tumbling. Here is a vibrator rock finisher from an auction on eBay. The vibrator works faster than a tumbler, but costs more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7308&item=7126219490&rd=1


Hope this information helps.

Joker....

Joker...is a vibrator rock finisher any quieter than a tumbler??

Years ago I bought a cheapo rock tumbler, but gave up almost immediately. Not only because it took so long, but because I was worried the neighbors might sue me for disturbing the peace!!

widget

Widget:
Sounds like the containers were metal

, that would make a lot of noise.
IMHO I think the vibrator models are noisier, but then, I haven''t tested every model.

Addlepated:
Have fun with your new toy.

Joker....