Thumlers Tumbler Instructions

Came across this when trying to figure out what sizes the grits/polishes are in the Thumblers polishing kits.  

It helps understand why many who are relatively new to tumbling are disappointed with results.  
I had to laugh while reading.  Especially about adding sawdust to the final cleaning stage.  It might works for some, but what a mess to clean up.

Was thinking, that others could chime in with how their techniques are different than below.  

The original document is in pdf format and I was unable to copy/paste the chart mentioned correctly.  Maybe someone with a pdf converter could do that, as some of the recommended amounts of grit/polish do not seem right to me.  

My changes from below are to use water to just below the surface of rocks/media.  To run until I am happy with how the rocks look, sometimes a month in coarse.  To do some shaping of the rocks prior to tumbling.  

Dunno if this would be better in the Tutorials section.  


Here we go.....

Polishing rocks in the Thumlers Rotary Tumblers to include the Model T, AR1. AR2 Rotary Tumblers and Model B

1. Fill barrel 1/2 to 5/8 full of stones. Pour in package marked COARSE (60-90 grit) as per chart below. Add water even with top stones. Run tumbler with this mixture for approximately 7 days, 24 hours a day, or until smooth. WASH STONES AND BARREL WELL. (Kitchen colander is ideal for washing stones, but do not wash into sink drains.)

2. Place stones back into barrel. Pour in package marked FINE (120-220) as per chart below. Add water even with top of stones. Run tumbler with this mixture for approximately 7 days, 24 hours a day, or until rocks are shiny when wet. WASH STONES AND BARREL WELL.

3. Place stones back into barrel. Pour in package marked PRE-POLISH (500F) as per chart below. Add water even with top of stones. Run the tumbler with this mixture approximately 3 days, 24 hours a day, or until rocks show a luster when dry. WASH STONE AND BARREL WELL.

4. Place stones back into barrel. Pour in package marked POLISH as per chart below. Add water even with top of stones. Run tumbler with this mixture approximately 7 days, 24 hours a day, or until rocks show a luster when dry. WASH STONES AND BARREL WELL.

5. Place stones back into barrel. Add enough powdered detergent to make stiff suds. Add water even with top of stones. You may also add sawdust or some similar material to cushion the rocks during this clean-up stage. Run tumbler with this mixture overnight. WASH STONES AND BARREL WELL. SPREAD OUT ROCKS ON DRY SURFACE AND INSPECT YOUR FINISHED GEMSTONES.


The chart that did not paste correct:

Model Model T, A-Rl Model T -2, A-R2 Model A-R6 Model A-RI2 Model B

Capacity l-qt, barrel, 3 lbs. 2-qt, barrels, 6 lbs. 9 lbs. 12 lbs. 15 lbs.

Amount per Barrel Coarse ...................... 4 oz. Fine …………………4 oz. Prepolish ..................... 2 oz Polish ......................... 2 oz Coarse ....................... 8 oz. Fine ........................... 8 oz. Prepolish .................. .4 oz Polish .......................... 4 oz

Coarse ........................ 1 lb. Fine ............................. 1 lb. Prepolish ...................... 1/2 lb. Polish .......................... 1/2 lb. Taken from A Guide for Rock Polishers