Using a tumbler is an effective way to polish a variety of items, including jewels, metal, and rocks. The only downside is that there is a learning curve so it is pertinent to learn the trade before diving in headfirst. If the user doesn’t use the right media or settings, there is a high risk that they’ll damage the items in question. In some cases, they could crack the rocks they’re trying to polish.
Thankfully, it is possible to prevent this from happening by following a few basic rules. Familiarize yourself with the tips below to avoid this issue.
Can Tumbling Crack Rocks?
The tumbling process is rough and extensive. It is common for people to tumble rocks for hours and hours. During this time, the rocks are going to be knocked around so there is a risk that they’re going to be seriously damaged. It is common for rocks to be noticeably smaller once they’ve been tumbled. Furthermore, rocks can become cracked after a lengthy tumbling session.
Underfilling the tumbler is one of the main reasons for cracked rocks, but there are other potential causes. More about the possible causes can be found below.
Avoid Underfilling The Tumbler
One of the main problems is underfilling the tumbler. When someone purchases a tumbler, they’ll notice that the device will have a specific capacity threshold. Most beginners are not going to fill the tumbler to the threshold before tumbling. Unfortunately, this may cause the rocks to become damaged. Surprisingly, underfilling can be more problematic than overfilling.
When the tumbler is underfilled, the rocks are going to have more space to move around. Therefore, they’re going to be crashing into other rocks with more force. While it is never a good idea to overfill the tumbler, it shouldn’t be underfilled either.
Tumbling For Too Long
The tumbling process usually spans many days and can sometimes take multiple weeks. It is always best to be patient to ensure that you get the best results. However, there is a fine line since tumbling for too long can lead to damaged rocks. If the rocks aren’t tumbled long enough, they won’t be properly polished. If they’re tumbled for too long, they may become brittle and cracked.
The exact time needed will depend on several factors, including the type of tumbler you’re using. Other factors to consider are the weight of the rocks and the media used. Vibratory tumblers typically run for 12 to 24 hours. Once this has concluded, the rocks should be washed thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, and grime.
Then the process should be repeated. It is common to tumble stones for two weeks or longer. Just remember to keep a close eye on the rocks to ensure that they’re not being damaged. If they’re starting to develop cracks, it is best to stop.
The Wrong Media
To prevent your rocks from developing cracks, it is vital to make sure that you’re using the correct media. Today, you’ll have more options than ever. Traditionally, plastic was primarily used during the tumbling process. It is also possible to use ceramic. Although there are other options, polypropylene pellets are great for polishing rocks. These plastic pellets are tough so they’re going to last for much longer than polyethylene.
Make sure that you don’t add too much because that could lead to issues as well. After each stage of the tumbling process, it is wise to carefully inspect the stones to ensure that they’re not being severely damaged.
Using A Bad Tumbler
Although all tumblers serve the same purpose, they’re not equal in terms of performance. If you’re adamant that you want to polish rocks, you’ll need to buy a good quality tumbler. A low-quality tumbler will produce more noise when in operation. Furthermore, it’ll have parts that will break much sooner. As the tumbler wears down, it may not work effectively or gently.
Pick a better quality tumbler to protect the precious stones.
Thorough Inspection
Newly polished rocks are ideal for indoor decorative planters. Rock-tumbled quartz, aventurine, jasper, and agate rocks tend to be the cheaper option to store-bought. Many gardeners and florists find rock tumbling the best alternative to commercially polished rocks for many reasons. The mere rock-tumbling process can be exciting enough without actually saving money. Whatever the case may be, a thorough inspection is vital for the integrity of rocks.
Visually inspect each rock to determine if it is durable enough to endure a tumbler. Rocks with extremely rough, jagged edges may not be suitable for tumbling. If you decide to go through with it, you should know the risks in advance. Imagine, spending several days tumbling a rock only to have it crack into pieces. Not only would it be a waste of time but also precious resources like media, electricity, and wear-and-tear on the rock tumbler.
Avoid Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are generally softer compared to hematite, moonstone, and Dalmatian stone. Regardless of how tempted you are to tumble a sedimentary rock, such as siltstone, shale, Lucite, and claystone, it may not be worth the effort. Besides, there are ample hard rock options that are guaranteed to transition into a glistening, smooth rock.
Sedimentary rocks will crumble within a few minutes of starting the tumbling action. The best way to determine the durability of a rock is through a visual inspection. If sand, tiny stones, or fossils can be seen on the surface, it is a sedimentary rock.
Experts recommend never tumbling limestone or conglomerate as they are both soft rocks.
Recommended Speed
Quality, diverse rock tumblers have multiple speeds. While the experts are knowledgeable and experienced, consumers should consider the most important factors when determining the best speed for tumbling rocks. The brand, weight, type of rock, and time.
Summary
While you’ll want to carefully polish your rocks, you don’t want to damage or break them. Unfortunately, it is common for new tumblers to run into problems since they’re not familiar with the process. Underfilling the tumbler, using the wrong media, and picking the wrong rocks can cause cracks to develop. Learn how to avoid these issues so you can polish your rocks effectively and make them look better than ever.