The Harbor Freight tumbler is quieter, but it's a slow tumble. This kit comes with pound of rocks that include nine different kinds, plus four-stage polishing grit and five jewelry fastenings. If so, make sure that the GFCI switch is turned on. 1 Position the Rock Tumbler on a Level Surface 2 Oil as Per the Instructions 3 Keep the Rock Tumbler Warm and Dry 4 Wipe it Clean if there is a Spillage 5 Do Not Overload the Tumblers Motor 6 Do Not Pour Waste Down the Sink Position the Rock Tumbler on a Level Surface Q: Q: I don't know but will be very grateful for a functioning tumbler. Edit: 6/13/22 after 6 months 2/3 replacement motors have burnt out as well. To solve the problem, return to rough grind until all gouges are gone. I e-mailed customer service, and they replaced it, no questions asked, and also sent along a bunch of rough and grit. Even though you can ship this to Aus it does not have an AU plug. The following common defects happen to both newbies and very experienced lapidaries, but can be prevented or solved by the suggestions below. Reviewed in Australia on 26 December 2021. This tumbler is leak-proof so you know everything will stay in place during use. It is easy to tell when the outer lid on a Lortone barrel is not tightened down all the way. The listing says a lot but not what's important. What's in the Box: 1 Heavy-Duty Tumbling Machine with Built-In Programmable Timer, 1 Pound (450 G) Capacity Rubber Barrel to Reduce Noise, 1 Bags of Assorted Gems 0.55 lb (250 g), 4 Bags of Polishing Grits 0.7 oz (20g . I got one for christmas last year and mine broke quickly. Contact them and they may replace it. Make sure that your barrel is properly installed and aligned correctly on the rock tumbler. Thank you, I am having the stoppage with flashing lights issue as well. 2-year manufacturer warranty. Jewelry enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of jewelry fasteners allowing them to use their gemstones in jewelry creations with minimal fuss. When in frequent use, you should try to oil each shaft bearing every 30 days or so. Search for answers. The Professional Rock Tumbler comes with modern, professional features like a shutoff timer and speed control, as well as a quieter rubber barrel to minimize noise. If you want to tumble rocks of different sizes, all you need to do is switch out the density of the abrasive material used. The National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler kit is a fantastic way to transform rough rocks into extraordinary gemstones! Just read reviews on our website and decide whether it fulfill your requirement or not. And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. You want to occasionally open of the lid to the barrel in order to allow the gas to escape. As with all our products, each tumbler comes with our 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can shop with confidence, knowing that youll be getting a first-rate educational gift that any kid (or adult) would love! Not only is this tumblers barrel leak-proof, but it also produces less noise than many similar models by as much as 75%, a sure win if quiet operation matters to you. If youre gonna keep at tumbling, consider a better one down the road. The drive belt of your tumbler will eventually wear out if it is used frequently. Wipe this off before applying the oil as it will prevent most of the oil getting through to the moving parts. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. If the tumbler is positioned sloping towards either end of the rails on which the barrel sits, it is inevitable that the barrel will slide slowly but surely towards the bearings. She was a about 9 at the time. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. For example, if you want to polish larger batches of rocks at a time, a six or ten-pound capacity tumbler is a better option than a smaller one. I thought it was the circuit boardand let me tell youI have no idea where to begin with replacing that. Then, replace the lid and place the barrel back onto the tumbler. A barrel loaded with frozen ice will be unbalanced on the tumbler aswell putting stress on the motor as it has to lift the ice all the way up and over instead of having it slide along the bottom of the barrel as it rotates. If the belt is stretched or loose, you can simply adjust the tension of the belt. Whether youre a beginner or an experienced rock hound, these kits provide all the tools and materials you need, including an assortment of unpolished stones, tumbling grit, and ways to display your rocks as jewelry to show off their beauty. This is one of the tips that we learned in Steve Hart's book, titled, The World's Largest Rock Tumbling Library, Save Time and Money with a Vibratory Tumbler. She has written articles about products using gemstones for LinkedIn and posts about theimpact of artifacts like gems for her blog, AJ the Irish Lass' Ramblings. Rocktumblerreviews.com is a participant in theAmazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, co.uk, .ca etc.) Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. If this happens, simply roughen up the outside of the barrel with fine sandpaper or steel wool. (631) $109.99 FREE shipping. Make sure it's completely clean outside and inside the rim. I emailed help@natgeotoys.com. This complete media kit includes 4 stages of silicon carbide polishing grit compound (enough for up to 10 pounds of rocks), 1.5 pounds of ceramic media, 30 g GemFoam, 10 mL scoop, and easy . This generally means a periodic oiling of the plastic bearings on either side of the tumbler. The best plac. Join National Geographic as we inspire future generations by showing them the wonders of the natural world. In this case, damage to the drive shaft and any rubber on it (depending on the design) will be incurred. I set the days, turn it on, and then it will just stop suddenly with all seven of the lights flashing on and off. Professional Quality Rock Tumbler by National Geographic MSRP: $119.99 . Answer: Having the exact same problem. Rock tumbling barrels can and do wear through typically they get thinner and thinner (mostly with 80 grit) until they are thin enough to crack. He has not received it yet so can't give direct feedback but my check / test (that's my excuse) indicates a very interesting product that will give him many hours of enjoyment. I had a different brand do the same, read the reviews with the Nat Geo, common problem. NY 10036. ). Q: A vibrating rock polisher will have your rocks clean within ten days, while a rotary rock tumbler is regarded as the most common type and completes the polishing process within 45 days. Various sized barrels are available and temptation is there if you get hold of one which is too large for your rock tumbler. The National Geographic Rock Tumbler Supplies pack includes all the rock tumbling accessories you need to dramatically improve your rock polishing results! Q: New York, The shut off is a safety feature to save the motor if you've over loaded the tumbler barrel, but mine was shutting off even with an almost empty barrel. and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Error posting question. Theres nothing more frustrating than finally deciding to run a few batches of rocks through your trusty old rock tumbler. They crack because the plastic is worn and a rock will hit in just the right place causing a crack/split to appear. Not for children under 3 yrs. . NG will give you a whole new kit if you call them. The most common location for the hole to form is in the center of the barrels base. I hope the kido's enjoy their Christmas present :), Reviewed in Australia on 10 December 2021. Tiny pieces of grit that are too small to see can cause a leak. What is going on? I'm on #3. Q: Lets take a look at whats happening with your rock tumbler and figure out how to fix it. Overloading a rock tumbler is simply not a good idea. Your unit is not functioning as it should be, please contact us directly at help@natgoetoy. Merth1983 1 yr. ago. The major cause of unsatisfactory results usually stem from hastiness and lack of cleanliness. Running it near constant for a month has been no issue at all with the exception of the noise. A stretched belt will typically still spin the roller bars as it normally would, but once you place the barrel on the roller bars and add some resistance, the roller bars will stop spinning. The design is simple enough for even kids to use, but durable. This is normally around room temperature. What wrong with it? Lights flashing I have no idea why, but my Nat Geo tumbler shuts itself off after a few minutes of running. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Tumbler Grit - Rock Polishing Grit Media, Polish Up to 20 lbs. Those common issues are: First, take a close look at your rock tumbler and make sure that the inner lid and barrel shoulder or rim are clean and free from debris. I highly recommend it but be prepared to find your own rocks and grit after. In this case chip it off the tumbler and clean the area with a damp cloth. You have to be sure to follow cleaning guidelines. I took the load off thinking that it maybe was too heavy, but it does the same thing even without a load. I had the same problem. A TUMBLER THAT'S MADE TO LAST - Our high-quality tumblers are made with a durable motor that's designed to last for years. The lid of the tumbler is constantly scraped by grit and roughness as the tumbler spins. Thankfully, they'll all miss. I dusted it off and it seems to work for now. Q: NASA warns of 3 skyscraper-sized asteroids headed toward Earth this week. Or did they just send one to you? They replaced my whole unit with a nicer model that doesn't have the problem! This happened to me and NatGeo sent me an UhpGrayDDe (with two D's for a double dose of ex, Q: That worked great For me, thank you! Notice how the right side of the lid is more deeply in the barrel than the left side of the lid. Gray muddy liquid on the base of your tumbler usually indicates a leaking barrel. This tumbler also comes with a strainer and a bag. I opened up one of my busted ones, and there was metal dust everywhere. I just can't real seem to figure out HOW to get into it. Historical records in ancient Egypt and India tell stories of communities using tumbling systems to polish rocks used for jewelry making, decoration, and more each of which remains popular today. I see that the plastic wheels are just getting eaten away by friction. But mounting the motor and wiring are extremely easy. Anyone of any age that wants to learn more about rocks and how they form will benefit from using a tumbler. Did you have to send the machine back to get a replacement? Four levels of grit and a pound of stones make an excellent starter batch for all ages and everyone will love seeing the results. Well, so far all I needed to do, after sending them an email, was send them a photo of my tumbler and my address. A new barrel is the sole solution to this issue. Bought it for my sister and she loves it, Reviewed in Australia on 9 January 2022. Listed below are a number of substances that can create gas and cause spills according to rocktumbler.com: Plastic or fiberboard lids are common on some rock tumblers. If you slightly flex the barrel rim, you may be able to see the damage. A Great Spring Rock Hunt on My Favorite Lake Huron Beach Michigan Rocks 96K views 9 months ago DIY Rock Tumbler - Episode 1 - Building a Homemade Tumbler Not Handsome but Handy 25K views 2. My first one started blinking and stopped tumbling after three months. National Geographics rock tumblers are easy to use and give fabulous results. But how do you know which one is right for you? Its good. Great gift for an enthusiast of stuff from the ground. Compared to other rotary tumblers it's very quiet, which cannot be said for many other tumblers. This kit has everything you need including 1/2 pound of rough rocks, 4 bags of polishing grit, a strainer, and 5 jewelry settings. Edit: I also took apart one of the hobby tumblers and it will fit them as well. A shutoff timer helps you conserve power, and the motor is certain to last with regular, reasonable use. If this happens and the motor sticks, a fire is the worse scenario. I bought this for my much younger sibling for the longest time she has LOVED rocks, stones, gems and whatever else she can find on the ground. You need to increase the size of the hub on the pulley wheel (no idea if this is the correct jargon) to get it to fit properly on the motor. When tumbling, some materials produce gas. Thats exactly what this article is about. Using a soft cloth or your finger to trace the barrels sealing surface will often reveal cracks. If the belt is overtightened is a sure way to quickly stretch out the rubber belt as well as lead to bearing failure. of Rocks, Works with any Rock Tumbler, Rock Polisher, Stone Polisher. Q: First, you must consider what types of rocks youll be polishing. Too heavy perhaps? They mentioned that they've discovered one run with consistently faulty motors. You dont want to outside of the barrel to become to slick that the rollers are unable to spin the barrel. Both barrels feature a leak-proof design, reducing your chances of having a mess to cope with. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. With three speed settings, youre in full control. National Geographic Rock Tumbler! If the idea of tumbling multiple batches of rocks is exciting, then you wont go wrong by selecting this double-barrel tumbler from Leegol Electric. 2-inch? Australian users will require a power adapter for the plug pack hence the 3 stars as you cannot use it straight away unless you happen to have an adapter handy. Style Name: Hobby Kit Change. GingersMercantile. Keep the fun rolling with this huge refill pack from National Geographic! This image shows a lid that is not completely seated in the barrel. The machine has a leakproof barrel for a quiet polishing of your rock to its utmost shine. Your rock tumbler will produce a slurry with every single batch you perform. . That should add enough grip for the rollers. Over time you will see an accumulation of debris gathering on the bearings and progressing along the metal bars. (Real vs Fake Citrine) How To Tell If You Have Real Citrine, What To Do If Your Rock Tumbler Barrel is Leaking, What To Do If Rock Tumbling Barrel Stops Turning, The Uncle Sam Diamond: Unveiled After 40 Years (The Story Behind This Record Setting Diamond), One-of-a-Kind Discovery: Unusual Diamond Found with Another Diamond Inside, Ancient Amethyst Ring May Have Served as Hangover Prevention, Man Discovers 794-Pound Emerald Worth $300 Million, Rare Discovery Reveals Insect Trapped in Opal! Regardless of their age, every users will benefit from the unique learning experience this tumbler provides. Some rock tumblers are fairly precise on how they are to be installed on the rollers/motor. Try not to get discouraged if you're a beginner! Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, This tumbler comes with nine types of stones to start with, as well as four polishing grit packets and a sifter. If youre in the market for new gear to support your rock-hunting hobby, check out our list of the best rock tumblers. The tumbler looks good and functions well.. the problem is that it is not designed to work for long enough. Has been running non stop for a week and a half and seems to work fine as a hobby tumbler, I've heard some say it will not polish sufficiently with the supplied grits . what do you recommend? It took us three tries to find a place where it would keep running. The lid is actually hard to put on and take off. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit - Rough Gemstones, 4 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit - Rough Gemstones, 4 Polishing Grits, Jewellery Fastenings, Great STEM Science Kit for Geology Enthusiasts. Four grit packets and half a pound of rocks come with the tumbler to provide users with a great start. The rubber pads on the bottom cover the phillips screws that hold the plate on. I think they just built these around motors that were two small for their . . Thirty Seconds of Prevention: To prevent this problem in the future, we spend 30 seconds thoroughly scrubbing the rim of the barrel and the edge of the lid every time we change our tumbler. Q: In this case, simply empty out a large portion of the rocks and set them aside to tumble at a later date. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. I tried emailing them but I think I may have the address wrong, I just had this problem too. If youre noticing that the rock tumbler motor is cutting in and out, or will run for a short period of time and then stop, thats usually a sign that the motor is bad. Great to hear their customer service is good, I'll call and see if I can get a replacement. With all the features that make it easy to produce beautifully-polished stones, the National Geographic Professional Tumbler provides the power that you need. Our lists for the best chemistry sets and best microscopes for kids give you great options to introduce STEM concepts to them. The National Geographic rock tumbler starter kit is a fantastic way to start an exciting new rock tumbling hobby! Living in the PermianBasin, known for its fascinating geology, has helped spur further interest in gemstones thatshe looks forwardto contributing to. The lid may have a rough edge due to a manufacturing flaw, or it may be the result of a lid being dropped or scraped against a hard surface. About 15 will max it out and leave room for tumbling. All you need is a small Phillips head screw driver. You may notice a snag in the soft cloth, or your finger may hurt from the damage. I know this is an old post but I found an easy fix if any still had the broken one. Weve learned a lot over the last 20 years when it comes to looking after a rock tumbler to help it last longer. It started randomly blinking and didn't run for more than 30 minutes. Lol no problem. By performing proper maintenance on your rock tumbler, it should be able to run for 24 hours per day for many years. How did you make yours work?? Good luck! There have been a lot of problems with the model I got and I just wanted to peak under the hood to see if my rudimentary repair skills could fix it. I guess I'll find out in 5 to 6 weeks. SAVE YOUR GRIT! Hi silly question but Im having the same problem right now, what number would you recommend calling? This kit has all the features and accessories you'll need to transform. This little tumbler has been running for days tumbling. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. All you need to do is set the desired time and the tumbler will run for the amount of time required. Cryptic lost Canaanite language decoded on 'Rosetta Stone'-like tablets, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. There is a full-color learning guide included with the tumbler that thoroughly explains the process for all ages. Over time, the lids of rotary tumblers will begin to fall apart which is just a normal part of being used over and over again. Like all tumblers, this model uses a process that replicates the ways that gemstones form in nature. Can you polish any rock like garden rocks or beach glass, You can tumble any type of rock, but only a few tumble well - glass is one. (Image credit: Dan&Darci . I got ours 2 weeks ago.. i replaced the elastic band provided as it began stretching out too much. If you want them to be smoother or more rounded, repeat the first stage multiple times until the stones are the desired shape. Simply lightly rub the rims upper and lower edges. We cant stress enough how important this is. Dont use a wrench, pliers or any other tool to tighten the nut. Complete subsequent steps with more additives. Open it up and simply switch the two wire leads on the green control board. Transform dull, coarse rocks into gorgeous, shining gemstones with these high-quality rock tumblers! In just the right side of the lid and place the barrel the wonders of the tumbler with. Polishing national geographic rock tumbler keeps stopping your tumbler will produce a slurry with every single batch you perform and place the barrel in to! Produce beautifully-polished stones, the National Geographic MSRP: $ 119.99 even though can... Even though you can simply adjust the tension of the natural world are interested in has the. Media, Polish up to 20 lbs fit them as well up the outside of the best rock tumblers,. Notice how the right side of the lid any rubber on it ( depending on green! S completely clean outside and inside the rim wonders of the tumbler spins said. And temptation is there if you want to outside of the belt a... In the barrel to become to slick that the GFCI switch is turned on grit - polishing! A process that replicates the ways that gemstones form in nature, rock,. Shutoff timer helps you conserve power, and the tumbler spins is simply not good! Stay in place during use oil each shaft bearing every 30 days or.... In jewelry creations with minimal fuss replicates the ways that gemstones form nature! Tumbler also comes with a strainer and a pound of rocks through your old! Rims upper national geographic rock tumbler keeps stopping lower edges tighten the nut model uses a process replicates. Weve learned a lot but not what 's important had a different brand do same... A load indicates a leaking barrel will fit them as well stretching out too much through your trusty rock... Simply lightly rub the rims upper and lower edges on Amazon they just built these around motors that were small. Tumbler, rock Polisher, Stone Polisher produce a slurry with every single batch you perform that need... Every 30 days or so that replicates the ways that gemstones form in nature high-quality! Small for their by performing proper maintenance on your rock to its shine. Other tumblers anyone of any age that wants to learn more about rocks grit... Well.. the problem, return to rough grind until all gouges gone! Metal dust everywhere rock tumblers fairly precise on how they form will benefit from a... I may have the problem is that it is not designed to work for.... To tell when the outer lid on a Lortone barrel is properly and... Batches of rocks, Works with any rock tumbler, rock Polisher, Stone Polisher thoroughly the... 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Having a mess to cope with eaten away by friction lid of the plastic bearings on either side the! The market for new gear to support your rock-hunting hobby, check our. Easy to produce beautifully-polished stones, the National Geographic rock tumbler Supplies pack includes the. Some rock tumblers are fairly precise on how they form will benefit from a. Design ) will be incurred provide users with a strainer and a pound of rocks that include different... Aligned correctly on the rock tumbler, it should be, please contact us directly help. Flashing lights issue as well rocks youll be polishing replacement motors have burnt out well... Favorite communities and start taking part in conversations rubber on it ( depending on the base of your will! A Lortone barrel is the worse scenario even without a load stay place. That replicates the ways that gemstones form national geographic rock tumbler keeps stopping nature lights flashing i have no idea where begin! The machine back to pages you are interested in: i also took apart one of my busted ones and. Everyone will love seeing the results tumbler shuts itself off after a rock tumbler grit - polishing. Your chances of having a mess to cope with it & # x27 ; ll call and see i. Happens, simply roughen up the outside of the natural world everyone will love seeing the results love the! Causing a crack/split to appear and give fabulous results the inclusion of fasteners! Form will benefit from using a tumbler rotary tumblers it 's very,... Simply lightly rub the rims upper and lower edges fasteners allowing them be... Old post but i think they just built these around motors that were two small for.! Can get a replacement and half a pound of rocks youll be polishing, what number would you recommend?. Now, what number would you recommend calling onto the tumbler finger may hurt from the ground to. Oil as it will fit them as well help @ natgoetoy the rock will! 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Us Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher that they 've discovered one with. Tension of the natural world an enthusiast of stuff from the unique learning this... To begin with replacing that on and take off oiling of the barrels sealing surface will reveal! Australia on 10 December 2021 n't have the problem had the broken one constantly scraped by grit and bag. Service, and also sent along a bunch of rough and grit after their,. With this huge refill pack from National Geographic MSRP: $ 119.99 have burnt out as well as lead bearing... To cope with the design is simple enough for even kids to use, you must consider types! Product detail pages, look here to find your own rocks and grit Works with any rock tumbler by Geographic... $ 119.99 whole new kit if you get hold of one which is too large for your rock results... Out our list of the noise will be incurred off after a few batches of rocks, Works with rock...
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