scootermacg
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by scootermacg on Dec 25, 2023 11:58:23 GMT -5
My wife is working on an art project that requires pebbly-sized polished rocks (say 1/4" spherical-ish). We have rotary and vibratory tumblers, a flat lap and saw. Right now - she's busting up scrap rocks with a sledgehammer and I'm taking the rubble to the flat lap with a pair of needle nose pliers and then into a tumbler to polish. We can't help but think that there's got to be a better way!! We're not tumbling one particular type of stone but a variety. Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated!
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,987
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Post by Tommy on Dec 25, 2023 12:04:30 GMT -5
My wife is working on an art project that requires pebbly-sized polished rocks (say 1/4" spherical-ish). We have rotary and vibratory tumblers, a flat lap and saw. Right now - she's busting up scrap rocks with a sledgehammer and I'm taking the rubble to the flat lap with a pair of needle nose pliers and then into a tumbler to polish. We can't help but think that there's got to be a better way!! We're not tumbling one particular type of stone but a variety. Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated! Welcome to the forum and Merry Christmas! Yeah that sounds like a lot of work  My first thought was The Rock Shed has all sizes of tumble ready rocks - maybe it would be easier to buy a bulk bag from them and hand pick out the kinda sorta spherical pieces for tumbling? www.rockshed.com/rock-shop/rock-tumblers-supplies/crushed-rock-for-tumbling/mini-mixed-rock/Edited to add: Or the "small" size might work better? www.rockshed.com/rock-shop/rock-tumblers-supplies/crushed-rock-for-tumbling/small-mixed-rock/ |
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Post by velodromed on Dec 25, 2023 12:16:05 GMT -5
Welcome! Smaller aquarium agate may work. I’ve seen them roundish and polished for fairly cheap.
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Post by chris1956 on Dec 25, 2023 12:44:45 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri. If you figure out how to easily make those little roundish stones, please let everyone know.  This topic came up not too long ago, and other than shaping on a saw (which to me sounded like more work than I wanted to do), I don't think there was a good way to do it. Getting small, already rounded rock like for aquariums or landscape rock may be the way to go. I have tried the leftover chips but once they have squarish edges, they don't seem to round for the most part. |
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 25, 2023 17:22:31 GMT -5
I use my rock chips as fill for the regular tumbling. The chips polish up with the rest of the stones. After the rotary I throw everything in the vibe tumbler.
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Post by pebblesky on Dec 25, 2023 20:31:10 GMT -5
My suggestion would be pebble in pebble out. Here are some of my gravel pebble tumbles:  They are cheap, if not free, and easy to tumble. They might lack variety in color but I think it should be easy to source different colors of gravel pebbles. |
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 288
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 25, 2023 22:38:12 GMT -5
Some carnelian is available in pretty small sized individual nodules. They tumble well and end up similar to what you’re looking for, but it’s not quick. In a rotary it’s like 4 months start to finish. How much rock like this does she need?
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,158
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Post by dshanpnw on Dec 26, 2023 8:10:43 GMT -5
I have been tumbling a lot of chips lately and I do get some small pieces out of the batches. The shape and size might not be what you're looking for. But, I fill a rotary barrel with all the trimmings, chips, and run them in 60/90 until I think most of the sharp edges are gone and then proceed to the vibe for the rest of the stages.  |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Dec 26, 2023 14:26:28 GMT -5
get a hold of small Berber agates. some are perfectly round  |
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scootermacg
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by scootermacg on Dec 26, 2023 15:27:21 GMT -5
You all have been so kind and generous with your advice and we really appreciate it! It's important to my wife that everything included in her project came from our own efforts - so purchasing pre-shaped and polished 'mini' stones is kind of out of the question I've just spent the better part of 3 hours turning rocks into julienne strips and then chopping them into tiny cubes heading for the tumbler. Hoping that this will produce acceptable results. Again, thanks to all for your input! |
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scootermacg
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by scootermacg on Dec 26, 2023 15:36:38 GMT -5
and... by the way... if we (through our blind efforts) come across a technique that works - we'll be sure to clue y'all in! It gives us a very warm feeling that all of you (connected only by our love of rocks) took time out from your holidays to respond to little-ol-us... it's really cool. Also... a shout out to Rob (aka Michigan Rocks) who responded to an IM on Facebook giving me his two cents. Love that guy!
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Dec 27, 2023 10:18:30 GMT -5
Robs the best! Hope you find an acceptable method!
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This topic came up not too long ago, and other than shaping on a saw (which to me sounded like more work than I wanted to do), I don't think there was a good way to do it. Getting small, already rounded rock like for aquariums or landscape rock may be the way to go. I have tried the leftover chips but once they have squarish edges, they don't seem to round for the most part. 
