Hi Cher,
I know that you have to start somewhere and buying a book on tumbling is a very good idea.
I did exactly the same when I started.I also searched the web,,,,as you're doing!
To my knowledge there is no video, book or web group that will tell you about the "little" things you need to know and if you try to absorb all that's out there you'll get VERY confused as tumbling is a "craft" and everyone that tumbles has his or her own techniques and tumbling "recipes" (grits,polishes,soaps,etc).
I would suggest that you follow the instructions, the techniques and recipes in your new book to a "T".
Then,by trial and error,(and help from others here) you can refine all of the info you've gathered to create your
own techniques and recipies.
Another idea would be to join a local rock club which not only will lead to a world of hands on knowledge but also be a great place to buy all of your tumbling products and supplies.Clubs get a VERY good price on lapidary equipment and supplies and will extend them to members!!Some clubs will sell you silicon carbide grit for $0.50/lb or even less in quantity lots!!
Does it sound like I'm trying to get rid of you?? LOL
"Ah,,,send her off to a club,,,,,Let them teach her!!"LOL
After you've used a couple of starter kits ,as Krazydiamond suggested,you can start buying grit and polish as you need.Again as KD said "there are all sorts of vendors out there" and if you look in the "Venders" section of this site you'll get a good idea of who's good and who to stay away from.
Now for a tumbler.
I have suggested the Lortone Model 3-1.5B before and I'll do the same here.
I have found that the cheapest online dealer is Eloxite @
www.creditcardcastle.com/cgi-bin/template.cgiI just bought this same unit from them and am very satisfied with "it" and their service.
This tumbler has 3 ,,1-1/2 lb barrels which will provide you a VERY good way to go through the tumbling cycle and not have to spend money for extra barrels and also tons of rough rocks to fill.
This way "when" you make a mistake,,,,,it'll be a small one you can recover from with the least amount of time,effort and money.Oh yea,,,,aggrevation tooooo!!LOL
The unit "usually" comes with a tumbling instruction book for that unit as well!!(i have absolutely nothing to do with Eloxite,,,just found it there for less)
KD also mentioned getting some "plastic pellets".
These are used to "cushion" the load mostly in the pre-polish and polishing stages and sometimes for adding volume too.
Don't buy any pellets.Email me your snail mail addy and i'll send you 5 lbs ,,,,,,,,,,free as a welcome gift!!
Tom