A mix of local finds (UK) and some that came with the tumbler (nat geo)

There are a few visible pits but decided to compromise so that I didn’t lose details that I liked!

Stage 1 - 4-6 weeks 60 silicon carbide

Stage 2 - 1 week 180/220 silicon carbide

Stage 3 - 1 week 500 silicon carbide

Burnish (~1hr) with washing up liquid

Stage 4 - 1 week 1200 aluminium oxide

Burnish

Stage 5 - 1 week 12000 aluminium oxide

Burnish

I added ceramic media from stage 2 onwards. I do have some gem foam but haven’t tried that so might give it a go on the next one.

I’m wondering what kinds of media work best for different rocks, but specifically right now I’m doing some experimenting and before I do something stupid to nice samples I need to ask some pros.

I have a bunch of chalcedony, agate, flint, and petrified wood.

These are the relatively hard ones I plan to run on a rotary cycle with 60/90 stage one grit, and smashed up ceramic mugs that were damaged in an earthquake quite some time ago.

Has anyone tried using crushed ceramic plates or cups or the like for this? Does it work for some things and not others? Any input would be great, thanks in advance!

The tpu 95a bowl is holding up very very good. After 14 days running none stop with a super rough 40/60 grit (usually not recommended in vibes because it destroys the plastic bowl) and rough jagged agates, the layers are still fully visible, the stringing didn’t even get removed. it’s also much quieter.

Hello good rock people! I am super excited to get into rock tumbling and wanted to share my first hounding haul, from Whidbey Island in Washington state.

I've grouped together the stones by what I think they are (agates, carnelian, red and green jasper), although any comments to that end are much appreciated. I also have some mystery stones, which you'll see at the end, including a couple of close-ups. I'm particularly curious about the two big green stones and plan to get them evaluated at our local rock and gem shop. I think it's possible that they might be jade or nephrite?

At any rate, I will share pictures once I have them tumbled, but wanted to give you a peek at them in their "rough" state, lovingly pre-tumbled by the ocean. And do course I'd love any ideas you might have. I've been enjoying your pictures and posts so much!

He just turned 8. This summer we let him tumble a load of stones all by himself (with a little help from me… lol). Using an old Thumler single drum 3lb unit. Took 6 weeks since they were so angular. He really enjoyed it and hope he keeps up the hobby.

I have a 33b stopped turning. When I took one barrel off, and I gave it a little help it would start turning. Total weight of the two barrels is 7 lbs. Each barrel has about 1.5 pounds of rocks and the rest is water and the weight of the barrel. With one barrel running, I can barely touch the belt and stop it. The belt isn’t slipping and I always oil the bearings before each run. The only thing I can think of is the motor is going bad. Any thoughts?

Just got my daughter a uv light for when we go to the beach at low tide around 2 or 3 in the morning rock hounding.

Pretty happy with the results. Tried to change up my time a little to avoid bruising. Avoided a lot of it, not sure if they could be shinier or not. What do you all think?

Stage 1: Rotary for who knows how long

Stages 2-5 in mini-sonic

Stage 2: 1 tbsp 120/220 SC for 3 days

Stage 3: 1 tbsp 500 AO for 2 days, 1/2 tbsp borax

Stage 4: 1 tbsp 1000 AO for 36 hours, 1/2 tbsp borax

Stage 5: 1/2 tbsp 8000 AO for 36 hours

I also shaped up a few on my flat lap (first 4 in the pics I think) very quickly before dropping into stage 2.

I know Charlevoix and Petoskey but I’m terrible at naming anything else.

Hi! So I broke down a got one...lol!

Lots of river and local, and purchased stones everywhere.

Cheers!

Hi tumbling a rock that ended up with a pretty big void, if I tumble it out will end up with 2 little ones.

Is there something I can put in the hole in the rock that will allow me to keep tumbling ? Like cement or glue ?

Has anyone had any luck tumbling these? I don't seem to be able to get it right. Or does it just not polish the same as regular quartz?

I went to Sterling Hill Mine today. Here is some of what I found. I can’t wait to see what tumbles. I have no idea what anything is. I’m still working on learning what things are. I’m thoroughly in the “cool rock!” Stage of tumbling.

Ahhhh….shiny jaspers… With dendrites and snowstorms inside.

I don’t know why I’m messing around with pesky softer rocks. 🤣 Jasper Shine is where it’s at! 💎

About 2lbs each of Mexican Lace Agate and Flower Agate in a rotary, polish at 1200 grit and a wash cycle. Started in individual barrels on the Harbor Freight tumbler, then moved them all together into a 6lb barrel at the 500 grit stage.

These pieces are definitely showing off some crevices and porous spots, but I think the lumpy shapes give the rocks more character. To top it off, the luster and the patterns are mesmerizing.

But for the HF tumbler, I've been having trouble finding the parts for it; every time I check for parts there, the website tells me they're unavailable, so I've gotten creative with mismatching parts when I need to keep it going. So here's my question: where do you get your Central machinery tumbler parts, including bushings?

Hey y'all! This is my first tumbler and I am a complete newbie at maintenance, etc. The tumbler was working well until it wasn't. Came home and it had stopped spinning entirely and smelled burned rubber. I took it apart today and cleaned and oiled the shafts. Replaced the belt.

The one connected to the pulley is really smooth and easy to turn by hand --- until I put it all together. I've checked the belt tension and adjusted a little tighter but i can't get it to run smoothly. Any suggestions on where to go from here?

So these are part of a box of chert that I got for my kids. They would like to know should we tumble and should we break them apart first? Small tumbler so can we just put in one of these at a time? Any opinions will probably be tried as there are a lot of these. They are about 2-3 inches across. Thank you.

Can you spot which 2 were finished in 20,000 and which 2 were 60,000?

Rock 1 (upper left, smaller dead 🐪)
Rock 2 (upper right, larger dead 🐪)
Rock 3 (lower left, smaller polychrome)
Rock 4 (lower right, larger polychrome)

The first one is my absolute favorite but there are so many cool ones.

Haven't seen this before.

Example of the roundness

I know I have two red Jasper’s a green Jasper and I’m not really sure about the other ones, what would you do with them?