Page 5
SKU 46376
Operation (continued)
Check the2. Belt (#37) tension. It must be kept as loose as possible without allowing it to
slip on the Driving Pulley (#35). Check before each use.
Make sure the exterior of the3. Rubber Barrel (#22) is clean so that it doesn’t slip on the
rollers. Wipe it with a soapy cloth, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth, and dry thoroughly.
Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
Make sure that the Stop (#6) is lightly touching the Barrel Lid (#28). This will prevent the4.
Barrel Lid from rubbing against the housing and will reduce friction.
General Use.
To open the1. Rubber Barrel (#22), remove the Knurled Nut (#24) and the Washer (#26).
Next, remove the Barrel Lid (#28).
Note: It is imperative to load the Tumbler with the proper amount of materials, or the process
will not be successful, and the motor could be damaged. An underloaded barrel will not lift
rocks up the inner side walls allowing the cascading effect. Also, the abrasive material in an
underloaded unit will tend to form a slurry and will not be effective. An overloaded Tumbler
will not allow the rocks to cascade. Lastly, too much water will cause the abrasives to oat
and not do their job.
“Charging” a barrel means loading it. Charge your barrel from 1/2 to 3/4 full. More pointed 2.
or abrasive rocks or stones will require closer to 3/4 full, leaving a 1/2 full barrel when it
comes time to polish.
Note: During tumbling, the stones will be reduced approximately 20% in size.
Choose stones that have a similar surface condition. They should have a mix of sizes3.
ranging from small (3/16” to 3/8”) to large (3/4” to 1”). 25% of the stones should be in the
smaller range. Split the remaining volume between medium sized (3/8” to 5/8”) and large
sized (5/8” to 1”) stones.
For best results use a four step polish process. First, use a silicon carbide grain, 60-904.
grit size. Second, use a ne silicon carbide grain, 220 grit or a little ner. Next, use a 600
grit silicon carbide grain or a pre-polish. Lastly, use a polish of Tin Oxide, Cerium Oxide,
or Titanium Dioxide. When tumbling hard materials, it might be necessary to repeat the
steps.
Note: More specic instructions for each step are covered on the next page under “Specic
instructions”.
Amounts of abrasive (for 3 Lbs. Tumblers):
Coarse Grind Medium Pre-polish Polish Burnish(soap)
4 Tbls. 4 Tbls. 6 Tbls. 6 Tbls. 1 Tbls.
Note: An Abrasive Kit (not included) is available at Harbor Freight Tools, Item # 30956.
This kit includes 4 oz. of coarse grit abrasive, 4 oz. of ne grit, 2 oz. of pre-polish abrasive,
and 2 oz. of polish.
Add enough water to reach the bottom of the top layer of rocks.5.
Seal the6. Rubber Barrel (#22), and replace the Barrel Lid (#28), Knurled Nut (#24) and
the Washer (#26).
Set the7. Rubber Barrel (#22) on the rollers and turn on the Power Switch (#13). Make
sure you check during the rst ten minutes to make sure the tumbler isn’t leaking.
Note: Although this manual primarily deals with rock/gemstone tumbling, you can use this
Tumbler to work with metal and metal jewelry (without gemstones). This Tumbler may be
REV 02i,02k
