Rock tumblers are rotary machines which work on glass,rocks and metals as well as certain gemstones. They also serve for polishing stones,cutting facets and make tumbled cabochons. While many people enjoy using the top rock tumbler for decorative and hobbies,some use these for more serious jewelry-making and lapidary (stone cutting) work. The most reliable tumblers are durable as well as powerful and quiet. They also have the capacity to tumble a huge variety of materials at the same time.
There are several types of rock tumblers accessible to customers,such as vibratory and the rotary. The majority are small and most tumble about several pounds of rock at each time. There are also larger,more professional models intended for commercial or jewelry-making uses. The first tumblers were made out of steel,but the majority are now made from plastic or rubber for greater durability and less noise. The majority of rock tumblers come with two or three barrels which can be used to tumble various materials simultaneously as well as for a subsequent process of polishing. Certain tumblers come with outlets and inlet ports that allow the user to add water or other cleaners to the barrel as required.
If you are a home-based hobbyist one-barrel tumbler is likely to suffice. It will be less expensive than a dual-barrel tumbler and most of these are made from rubber or plastic material that is designed to reduce the noise produced by the stones tumbling across each other in the barrel. Some of the latest tumblers have a wider barrel and a speedier motor than earlier models that can help them create a greater level of polish.
Certain manufacturers offer tumblers that have a dual barrel design however it is crucial to note that these will require some extra maintenance. Based on the model,there will be distinct openings for the inflow and outflow of water. These openings are to be controlled carefully so that the rocks do not get damaged by splashing.
The most sought-after rock tumblers that are available are from two companies which emerged from the hobby industry’s early days: Lortone and Thumler’s. Both companies produce a variety of models designed for both professional and home use and some models have two or more barrels,which allows for greater flexibility.
While it is possible to buy a simple,inexpensive tumbler,which uses paint containers as the barrel,they are noisy and can quickly wear out. The rough surface of the cans easily scratches and dents the rock when it hits the cans.
The Tumble-Bee TB-14 is a sturdy,quiet rotary tumbler that is suitable for novices and children of all different ages. It has a brightly lit on/off switch and comes with pre-measured rocks with three kinds of grit and four packages of polishing grit. The kit also comes with a sifter and full-color learning guide.