- How long does a batch take?
- Rotary tumbling runs through coarse, medium, fine and polish stages, each taking days. Expect several weeks from rough stone to a polished finish, with the barrel running most of the time.
- Can it handle a full 3 kg drum?
- Fill the barrel about two-thirds with stones, grit and water, leaving room for the load to tumble. Running it packed full or overloaded strains the small 16 W motor.
- Do I need to buy grit separately?
- Yes. The machine is the tumbler only; you supply the coarse, medium, fine and polishing grits plus a burnishing step if you want a final shine.
- Is one drum enough?
- It works, but you finish each grit stage before starting the next, so a batch takes longer than with a multi-drum setup. Some owners buy a second barrel to keep stages moving.
- What can I tumble in it?
- Hard stones such as agate, jasper and quartz work well. Soft or porous material wears away too fast, and mixing hardness levels in one batch gives uneven results.
- Where is the Hobby Rock Tumbler Machine Single Drum Jewelry Polisher cheapest?
- At Amazon, for $55.99, as of our latest check.
- Where can I buy the Hobby Rock Tumbler Machine Single Drum Jewelry Polisher?
- 2 stores we checked sell it, including Amazon, Walmart.