This is my first rock tumbler ever so please take that into consideration. I had it in my "saved for later" until I saw it on sale. It took me a while to do this review because I wanted a successful batch first.
It's small which is perfect for my small (crafting/beading/jewelry making/lapidary) workspace. I live in a tiny one-bedroom studio apartment. I was expecting the noise to wake the neighbors; however, it is very quiet..I believe it's due to the rubber barrel. (I'm one that has ran dishwashers at night to help me sleep...so I actually like the constant sound.) No noise complaints so far..lol.
After running the small batch of rocks that came with it...using the sample grits & polish that also were included, I read many reviews & did a lot of YouTube-ing as the rocks never got shiny. I found that National Geographic brand tumblers are good, but the grit/polish...not so much. On my second try, using silicon carbide grits & aluminum oxide polish, (I couldn't find any information about what kind the Nat Geo was) the stones & gems came out nice & shiny. So you may want to spend a little more to get better results. I do use the National Geographic brand ceramic media & have been pleased with it.
I only run it on level 1 speed as, according to my research, most comparable models/brands have a slower rotation speed than this National Geographic one on level 1.
The included instructions are clear & helpful & will tell you running times & speeds to use. If you purchase another brand of grit/polish, it may also come with instructions regarding running times & such. The settings on this tumbler are very simple & easy to use.
I'm very happy with my National Geographic rock tumbler & would recommend it.
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This item: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Professional Rock Tumbler Kit - Complete Rock Tumbler for Adults & Kids with Durable 2 Lb. Barrel, Rocks, Grit, and Patented GemFoam Finishing Foam Polish, Rock Polisher
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Product Description
Be patient- it’s worth it!
We didn’t think about how long it will take when Santa got this for our 6 year old boy. That being said, the instructions do say it will be approx. 4-5 weeks until the finished product is ready.The photo I included is from Step 1, before and after running it for 5-6 days.It’s not super loud- just sounds like a dishwasher that wasn’t designed for quietly running. We plug it in to the playroom and it is easy to forget it is running.Other models and complaints of not enough automation and run time being too much. This was worth the cost. Such a huge difference from when we put it in!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023Edition: ProfessionalVerified Purchase
This is my first rock tumbler ever so please take that into consideration. I had it in my "saved for later" until I saw it on sale. It took me a while to do this review because I wanted a successful batch first.
Small & durable rock tumbler/polisher I got on sale for great price. Works well.
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023
It's small which is perfect for my small (crafting/beading/jewelry making/lapidary) workspace. I live in a tiny one-bedroom studio apartment. I was expecting the noise to wake the neighbors; however, it is very quiet..I believe it's due to the rubber barrel. (I'm one that has ran dishwashers at night to help me sleep...so I actually like the constant sound.) No noise complaints so far..lol.
After running the small batch of rocks that came with it...using the sample grits & polish that also were included, I read many reviews & did a lot of YouTube-ing as the rocks never got shiny. I found that National Geographic brand tumblers are good, but the grit/polish...not so much. On my second try, using silicon carbide grits & aluminum oxide polish, (I couldn't find any information about what kind the Nat Geo was) the stones & gems came out nice & shiny. So you may want to spend a little more to get better results. I do use the National Geographic brand ceramic media & have been pleased with it.
I only run it on level 1 speed as, according to my research, most comparable models/brands have a slower rotation speed than this National Geographic one on level 1.
The included instructions are clear & helpful & will tell you running times & speeds to use. If you purchase another brand of grit/polish, it may also come with instructions regarding running times & such. The settings on this tumbler are very simple & easy to use.
I'm very happy with my National Geographic rock tumbler & would recommend it.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
I just got this rock tumbler kit today, and so far I am very pleased with it!
Quiet, Easy to Use and Fun Little Rock Tumbler Kit!
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 January 1, 2025Edition: ProfessionalVerified Purchase
We didn’t think about how long it will take when Santa got this for our 6 year old boy. That being said, the instructions do say it will be approx. 4-5 weeks until the finished product is ready.
The photo I included is from Step 1, before and after running it for 5-6 days.
It’s not super loud- just sounds like a dishwasher that wasn’t designed for quietly running. We plug it in to the playroom and it is easy to forget it is running.
Other models and complaints of not enough automation and run time being too much. This was worth the cost. Such a huge difference from when we put it in!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- Rebecca CarlsonReviewed in Canada on February 4, 2025
Great tumbler
Edition: Pro 3 with GemFoamVerified Purchase
So I bought this item back in March 2023. I was so excited when it arrived as I had amassed a small hoard of rocks to polish. I ran it, basically non-stop for over a year and a half, until the motor stopped working. I am extremely happy with how many rocks I was able to polish and the with the way they would turn out. I have had tumblers in the past and they never came out this shiny. I don't mind there being a fourth stage of tumbling as the last stage is the most exciting. I would do the final tumble with ceramic beads, polisher (grit#4) and the gem foam for 3 days on low speed an the results are amazing. The picture above is of some agates that I tumbled with this tumbler and "WOW!!", what a beautiful shine they have. I would love to know if there is a replacement motor I can purchase for it. If I can't get it going I will have to get a new one and I hate the thought of having to get rid of it. I don't like to throw stuff away. I'm sentimental and a bit of a penny pincher. I would rather get my investment back up and running than have to re-invest. Roxy the rock tumbler is tried and true she just needs a new motor.Rebecca CarlsonGreat tumbler
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2025
This tumbler is also extremely quiet but I still kept it in a cool corner of the basement and put a cardboard box over it to keep the noise down and unit cool. I live in a townhouse so I wanted to be respectful of the neighbors. I also really enjoyed the ability to set it and forget it. I would change the cycle when I couldn't hear it running. I got so many amazing results with this tumbler. It's a great product and so much fun to use. My kids always loved looking at the finished product with me. I totally recommend buying this if you are in the market for a really great beginners tumbler and want to get your money's worth. Great value. I would give it 10 stars if could. I'm very happy with this purchase and would buy again. ☺️
Images in this review
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- MishariReviewed in Saudi Arabia on November 16, 2024
Missing rocks
Edition: ProfessionalVerified Purchase -
