I bought this unit back in August '23 but didn't try it out until February '24. It was very easy to set up and worked flawlessly through the first run (4 days) with the coarse grit. After that run, using the supplied rocks and grit, the rocks had lost their sharp edges - very pretty at that point in the process. Yes, the machine is noisy but it's tumbling rocks around in a rubber barrel. Much quieter than the tiny, metal paint can that came with the tumbler that I had when I was a kid.
I followed the instructions to clean the contents, load up the 2nd grit and water and set the timer for 5 days. After the first day, the motor shut off and "Er" was displayed. I tried the steps suggested (unplug, replug; remove 1/2 the contents, etc) but no joy. I tried multiple iterations over 3 days. In desperation, I contacted customer service via email, with very low expectations. Well, to my shock, Candi answered me in less than an hour! After just a couple of emails, we decided that the unit was beyond help but Candi explained that there was a warranty and sent me several courses of action, any of which were perfectly fine.
I'm looking forward to completing my project with my new tumbler when it arrives, thanks to amazing customer service!
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Product Description
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0:07
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Customer Review: Belt broke on second step of tumbling.
Denise Lewis
Videos for this product
0:11
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Customer Review: Designed to self destruct.
Melissa Loveland
Videos for this product
1:29
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1 year of use, lots of beautiful rocks later, honest review.
EmmEvolving
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1:39
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This Rock Tumblr is my new favorite product on amazon
Lessons Learned
Reviews with images
Quiet, Easy to Use and Fun Little Rock Tumbler Kit!
I just got this rock tumbler kit today, and so far I am very pleased with it!It is quiet, and doesn't take up too much space, and it comes with rocks to tumble, a jewelry-making kit, an extra pully band, foam and grit, and a nice booklet on the rocks included with the tumbler.A very nice little kit from Nat Geo, for a good price!It definitely does not come with enough grit though.I purchased additional 120 grit aluminum oxide to use with for my future rock tumbling.I might get a different grade of grit later, but to start out 120 aluminum oxide seemed most likely to give my rocks the best shine, without grinding them into dust.I can also say that the wheel looks a bit wiggly, but it doesn't seem to hinder the machine at all.I am trying an experiment right now where I soak my rocks for 24 hours prior to tumbling them, and then I am going to add just a bit of mineral oil to the water, grit and foam.I am testing my rocks in; vinegar, mineral oil and water/ mineral oil and water/ water.I will update this review of the results, after I have results to post.UPDATE: DO NOT USE DARK COLORED/BLACK GRIT/SAND/POWDER WITH LIGHT COLORED STONES!It grinds into the stones, and changes their color, based on the grit/powered/sand you're using!After 3 days of tumbling to each batch of stones, these are my results:- The vinegar, mineral oil and water mix:Shined and cleaned the rocks, and seemed to soften them, creating a visible effect in their polish.- The mineral oil and water:Also shined the stones, and seemed to soften them, without much difference in their cleanliness, and added a visible effect in their polish.- Water:Did not soften or clean the stones, and had less of an effect on their polish.OVERALL RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT:I think pre-soaking the stones in mineral oil and vinegar had the most noticeable effect on the stones polish.They seem to soften in the mineral oil, and the vinegar does get them clean pre-polish.I also tried tumbling the stones in mineral oil and water, with the aluminum oxide powder, and found that the dark colored powder ground into the stones, specifically the Tigers Eye....Which is NOT the result I wanted.Upon further experimentation and research, I have decided to use clean/white sand and colored sand as grit, to see if those work better as a polishing medium than the aluminum oxide.If my theory is correct, pre-soaking the stones in mineral oil and vinegar and then tumbling with the color sands should grind the sand color of my choice into the rocks.Will update later with pictures, if/when possible.So far, it's a going well and I'm having fun experimenting with geology!Yay, shiny rocks! Thanks Nat Geo!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
It is quiet, and doesn't take up too much space, and it comes with rocks to tumble, a jewelry-making kit, an extra pully band, foam and grit, and a nice booklet on the rocks included with the tumbler.
A very nice little kit from Nat Geo, for a good price!
It definitely does not come with enough grit though.
I purchased additional 120 grit aluminum oxide to use with for my future rock tumbling.
I might get a different grade of grit later, but to start out 120 aluminum oxide seemed most likely to give my rocks the best shine, without grinding them into dust.
I can also say that the wheel looks a bit wiggly, but it doesn't seem to hinder the machine at all.
I am trying an experiment right now where I soak my rocks for 24 hours prior to tumbling them, and then I am going to add just a bit of mineral oil to the water, grit and foam.
I am testing my rocks in; vinegar, mineral oil and water/ mineral oil and water/ water.
I will update this review of the results, after I have results to post.
UPDATE: DO NOT USE DARK COLORED/BLACK GRIT/SAND/POWDER WITH LIGHT COLORED STONES!
It grinds into the stones, and changes their color, based on the grit/powered/sand you're using!
After 3 days of tumbling to each batch of stones, these are my results:
- The vinegar, mineral oil and water mix:
Shined and cleaned the rocks, and seemed to soften them, creating a visible effect in their polish.
- The mineral oil and water:
Also shined the stones, and seemed to soften them, without much difference in their cleanliness, and added a visible effect in their polish.
- Water:
Did not soften or clean the stones, and had less of an effect on their polish.
OVERALL RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT:
I think pre-soaking the stones in mineral oil and vinegar had the most noticeable effect on the stones polish.
They seem to soften in the mineral oil, and the vinegar does get them clean pre-polish.
I also tried tumbling the stones in mineral oil and water, with the aluminum oxide powder, and found that the dark colored powder ground into the stones, specifically the Tigers Eye.
...Which is NOT the result I wanted.
Upon further experimentation and research, I have decided to use clean/white sand and colored sand as grit, to see if those work better as a polishing medium than the aluminum oxide.
If my theory is correct, pre-soaking the stones in mineral oil and vinegar and then tumbling with the color sands should grind the sand color of my choice into the rocks.
Will update later with pictures, if/when possible.
So far, it's a going well and I'm having fun experimenting with geology!
Yay, shiny rocks! Thanks Nat Geo!
Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
Quiet, Easy to Use and Fun Little Rock Tumbler Kit!
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
I just got this rock tumbler kit today, and so far I am very pleased with it!Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
It is quiet, and doesn't take up too much space, and it comes with rocks to tumble, a jewelry-making kit, an extra pully band, foam and grit, and a nice booklet on the rocks included with the tumbler.
A very nice little kit from Nat Geo, for a good price!
It definitely does not come with enough grit though.
I purchased additional 120 grit aluminum oxide to use with for my future rock tumbling.
I might get a different grade of grit later, but to start out 120 aluminum oxide seemed most likely to give my rocks the best shine, without grinding them into dust.
I can also say that the wheel looks a bit wiggly, but it doesn't seem to hinder the machine at all.
I am trying an experiment right now where I soak my rocks for 24 hours prior to tumbling them, and then I am going to add just a bit of mineral oil to the water, grit and foam.
I am testing my rocks in; vinegar, mineral oil and water/ mineral oil and water/ water.
I will update this review of the results, after I have results to post.
UPDATE: DO NOT USE DARK COLORED/BLACK GRIT/SAND/POWDER WITH LIGHT COLORED STONES!
It grinds into the stones, and changes their color, based on the grit/powered/sand you're using!
After 3 days of tumbling to each batch of stones, these are my results:
- The vinegar, mineral oil and water mix:
Shined and cleaned the rocks, and seemed to soften them, creating a visible effect in their polish.
- The mineral oil and water:
Also shined the stones, and seemed to soften them, without much difference in their cleanliness, and added a visible effect in their polish.
- Water:
Did not soften or clean the stones, and had less of an effect on their polish.
OVERALL RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT:
I think pre-soaking the stones in mineral oil and vinegar had the most noticeable effect on the stones polish.
They seem to soften in the mineral oil, and the vinegar does get them clean pre-polish.
I also tried tumbling the stones in mineral oil and water, with the aluminum oxide powder, and found that the dark colored powder ground into the stones, specifically the Tigers Eye.
...Which is NOT the result I wanted.
Upon further experimentation and research, I have decided to use clean/white sand and colored sand as grit, to see if those work better as a polishing medium than the aluminum oxide.
If my theory is correct, pre-soaking the stones in mineral oil and vinegar and then tumbling with the color sands should grind the sand color of my choice into the rocks.
Will update later with pictures, if/when possible.
So far, it's a going well and I'm having fun experimenting with geology!
Yay, shiny rocks! Thanks Nat Geo!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
It tumbles fast, so I suggest you check step one of your polish after 3 days. Small rocks might grind to nothing in a week. The included grits won’t make rocks shine, but if you replace the pre-polish and polish grits with quality aluminum oxide grits you can get nice results.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Shanna Vermeeren
Nice, easy, fun!
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2023Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
E. Bishop
Good but upgrade your grit
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2024Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
Martha M
Great response from seller and a cool gift
Reviewed in Sweden on January 4, 2024Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
GILLET Audrey
Pas de pierre
Reviewed in France on December 2, 2023Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
Cliente Amazon
Mi sto appassionando ma...
Reviewed in Italy on September 21, 2023Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
