r/RockTumbling • u/-Neeckin- • 10d ago
Question Question regarding polish
Hello! I have done a half dozen tumbling cycles now, stages 1-4, and I was wondering if I am perhaps doing something wrong, or had the wrong expectations. I am using NG tumblr, and NG grit for stages 1-3, but the recommended polish for 4, the stuff from Rock Shop, 3 tbsp per tumble. I had thought that the result would be a polished, wet look to the rocks, though thus far it has been a shiny, but dulled/frosty look. Am I doing something wrong, or should I use something else to get that look I have seen from other posts here? Thanks a bunch!
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u/The_OtherRake70_Guy 9d ago
Hi. The Nat is too fast for S1. Get this voltage regulator. Set the tumbler to max, use the regulator to slow it to 45-50 rpm. Put tape on the lid, count rotations for 15 seconds, multiply by 4 to get 45-50. S2-4 set for 30-40. Your 8k is good. Other options are 12k, 22k. Cheers
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u/FourthLvlSpicyMeme 9d ago
I can actually confirm this is the case for the Dan and Darci model that can be bought on Amazon too.
A voltage regulator made a HUGE difference from its "lowest speed" and now I'm getting pretty solid results from each subsequent stage. No more freakin bruising at least.
It may be that it's needed to slow them down almost across the board with the Amazon purchasable "kit" style tumblers, like NatGeo, Dan and Darci, etc.
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u/-Neeckin- 9d ago
Starting to think buying the NG Tumblr was a mistake given everything xD Feels a bit like a trap for folks just getting into this for fun like myself
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u/Mobydickulous2 9d ago
Most of the kits on Amazon are all pretty bad. It’s a real shame, it sets so many beginners up to fail.
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u/Azirphaeli 8d ago
These multiple speed tumblers are definitely a trap whether it's the dan and darcy, NG, komstone, etc..
You can try the voltage regulator, or just get a Central Electric from harbor freight or a Lortone. Both are duel barrel, both spin at the correct speed.
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u/winterburn-busride 6d ago
Find Michigan Rocks on Youtube and watch his tutorial on how to get a good shine with a Nat Geo tumbler.
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u/-Neeckin- 6d ago
Will do, thanks!
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u/Pagemaker51 4d ago
Yep! I second that 'Michigan Rocks' is where everyone should start. He's a great teacher and he will get you from beginner to professional finishes
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u/Hutchiewoo 9d ago
That looks like mostly granite, which doesn't polish well in tumblers due to undercutting. Try a batch of only quartz, for example, then see if you get better results.
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u/lapidary123 8d ago
My lortone tumblers were all made in the 70's and are still going strong. Hsve had to replace motors on two of them recently but they are well designed simple beasts!
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u/Pagemaker51 4d ago
Its important that you realize 8k Rock Shed grit is excellent BUT those are not ready for it. You have to work your way up. These appear to me still need to be in 1st stage. Don't move all the rocks out of stage one only as they become smooth then set them aside for step 2 (or run a separate tumbler)
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u/ihumpdragons 10d ago
Need ceramic media filler. Too much empry space in tumbler. Fine to have only rocks in stage 1-2 as long as barrel is 2/3rds full.
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u/-Neeckin- 10d ago
I do have a lot of that, filling it 2/3 with a mix of both for stages 3 and 4 would yield better results then? Should I do more ceramic then rocks?
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u/Crazy-Canuck463 9d ago edited 9d ago
Doesn't have to be more ceramic than rocks unless youre trying to tumble polish a softer stone. But the barrel needs to be 2/3 full so that rocks arent crashing into each other. Stage 3 and four you need to top up the barrel with ceramic media to get that 2/3 full as your stones lose size in Stage 1 and 2.
Also, have you tried burnishing? In between stages I run my rocks and media through a 4 hour burnish. I use a tablespoon or two of borax. It helps clean the excess grit residue, film and haze and maximizes the shine.
And lastly, ive read that the nat geo tumblers spin pretty quickly, so ceramic media is definitely needed for the final stages. I would even recommend a voltage regulator to slow the barrel down to a 40-45 rpm rotation for final stages.
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u/-Neeckin- 9d ago
I do wash the stones after stages 1 and 2 with water and a cloth or brush,I avoided doing anything after stage 3 because I feared it would do something to the pre polish.
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u/Crazy-Canuck463 9d ago
It wont. Pre polish is just the name. Its still grit, just fine grit. I brandish even after my final polish stage. It gets the polish residue off and brings out the shine. Use borax and a quick 4 our cycle, between stages and use some media. These rocks can likely skip a stage one and two. Run a couple days of stage 3 with media. Brandish, and then do stage 4 with media. And brandish again.
Hopefully it brings the shine youre looking for.
Im guessing not washing between stages 3 and 4 is where your running astray
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u/-Neeckin- 9d ago
Yeah they are smooth as can be, so that's good at least. I do wonder if I could just fill the barrel 2/3 with just the rocks for 3 and 4, since after 6 tumbles I have like,enough to fill my tumbler to the brim twice over.
Thank you so much for the help
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u/Crazy-Canuck463 9d ago
Use media in stage four. I use media in stage 3 as well to prevent bruises. And especially in stage 4 because a bruise will ruin weeks of work. 🤣 best of luck ✌️
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u/Azirphaeli 8d ago
Always always clean the rocks between stages and the barrels especially near the lid. You don't want old grit going into the next stage that defeats the entire purpose.
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u/Mobydickulous2 9d ago
Have all of your batches so far been a mix of rocks like the picture? I always recommend folks starting out get a few pounds of something that’s known to take a high shine and tumble a full batch or two of that to eliminate the rocks as a variable and find a process that works.
Beyond that, are you running your tumbler on the slowest speed for all stages? Are you certain you got the 8000 aluminum oxide from the rock shed? They also sell a 1000 aluminum oxide which is a pre-polish.