Thumler's Tumbler

Thumler's Tumbler Rock Polisher and Ultra-Vibe Vibratory Models

The Thumler's Tumbler catalog covers rotary rock polishers (Model A, Model B, and UV series) and the Ultra-Vibe vibratory line. Rotary tumblers use barrel rotation with grit stages to shape and polish rough stones over 3-4 weeks. Vibratory tumblers (Ultra-Vibe) run a bowl vibration cycle that finishes pre-shaped material in days instead of weeks. Case polishers clean and polish spent brass for reloaders. All units are built for continuous operation in educational, laboratory, and hobbyist settings.

Choosing Between Rotary Rock Tumblers and Ultra-Vibe Vibratory Units

Rotary tumblers (Model A and Model B) are the standard choice for taking rough rock from the field to polished cabochon. The barrel rotation tumbles stones through coarse, medium, fine, and polish grit stages. Expect 3-4 weeks per batch, but the process shapes irregular material and removes sharp edges. The Model A handles 1.5-pound batches; the Model B runs 3-pound loads. Both use replaceable rubber barrels and run on continuous-duty motors.

Ultra-Vibe vibratory tumblers skip the shaping stage. Load pre-tumbled or pre-cut stones, add polish compound, and the bowl vibration burnishes surfaces in 1-3 days. Vibratory units are faster but require material that's already rounded. Case polishers use the same vibratory principle to clean brass casings with media. If you're polishing coins, relics, or other metal detecting finds, the vibratory route works for items that don't need aggressive shaping.

Grit Stages and Media for Thumler's Rotary Tumblers

Rotary rock polishing runs four grit stages: coarse silicon carbide (60/90 grit) removes saw marks and shapes the stone, medium grit (120/220) smooths surfaces, fine grit (500-600) preps for polish, and aluminum oxide or cerium oxide delivers the final shine. Each stage takes 5-10 days depending on hardness. Thumler's tumblers ship with barrel, belt, and instructions; grit kits are sold separately. The UV-series models add a built-in timer for automatic shutoff at the end of each cycle.