Rock tumblers are rotary devices which work on glass,rocks metals,certain gemstones. They also serve to clean stones and cut edges,and produce tumbled cabochons. While a lot of people love using the top rock polisher for decorative and hobby purposes,others use them for more serious jewelry-making as well as lapidary (stone cutting) work. The best tumblers are sturdy as well as powerful and quiet. They also have the capacity to tumble a large quantity of materials at a time.
There are various types of rock tumblers available for consumers,including vibratory and circular. Most are small,and they typically tumble a few pounds of material at one time. There are larger models,which are more professional and designed to be used for jewelry-making or commercial use. These first tumblers made from metal,but they are made of rubber or plastic to provide greater endurance and less sound. Most tumblers feature three or more barrels that can be used to tumble different materials at the same time,or for a second step of polishing. Some tumblers feature outlets and inlet ports that allow users to add clean water or other solutions into the barrel when needed.
For the hobbyist at home the single-barrel tumbler can suffice. It will be less expensive than a dual-barrel tumbler and the majority are made from plastic or rubber material made to lessen the sound produced by the stones tumbling over each other inside the barrel. Many of the newer tumblers have a wider barrel and a much faster motor than older models that can help them create a greater level of polish.
There are a few companies that make tumblers that feature a dual barrel design,but it is important to remember that these need a substantial amount of maintenance. According to the model,there will be separate openings for the inflow and outflow of water. They are to be controlled carefully so that the rocks are not damaged by splashes.
The most sought-after rock tumblers in the market come from two firms that grew out of the early hobby industry: Lortone and Thumler’s. Both of these manufacture a variety of models for both the professional and residential use,with some having more than two barrels to give greater versatility.
Although it is possible to purchase a low-cost,simple tumbler,which uses paint cans for the barrel,these tumblers are noisy and can quickly wear out. The rough finish of the cans easily scratches and dents the stone when it is pushed against them.
The Tumble-Bee TB-14 is a well-built and quiet rotary tumbler. It is perfect for beginners as well as children of all ages. It has a brightly lit switch for on/off and comes with pre-measured rocks and three different kinds of grit and four packages of polishing grit. The kit also comes with the sifter,as well as a full-color instruction guide.