Comments on: Lortone Rock Tumblers for Polishing Polymer Clay Jewelry Beads

By: Natalie H

Natalie H — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:07:27 +0000

What brand of vibrating tumbler do you use…I am so confused with different types out there.

By: Marion R

Marion R — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:13:38 +0000

Hi Cindy,

I wanted to buy some micro mesh polishing pads as shown in your video. One of the search engine results offered a video showing how these are used, imagine my surprise to find myself back on your website! As I already have this video I was able to watch it again, but this time noticed your comment about looking into a rock tumbler for polishing beads.

An article by Lisa Haney covered this topic in ‘Polymer Cafe’ magazine, Vol.5 No. 1 (Winter 2006/7). I decided to try this at the time but found cost of most tumblers out of my range. Then I discovered a ‘kid’s tumbler’ and thought it might be robust enough for polymer clay. It worked beautifully, only problems – 1. took rather a long time; approx 1 day for each grit, with 3 or 4 grits recommended. 2. Rather noisy, but if you have an outhouse or garage you won’t be disturbed. The result was fantastic and I can thoroughly recommend it.

You can find this kid’s rock tumbler here at this UK-based web site: brightminds.co.uk/offers/best-sellers/rock-tumbler-deluxe.htm – I recommend it as something inexpensive for people to try first before investing large sums of money.

Enjoying your tutorials Cindy, I’m wondering how long you can keep this up, coming up with new ideas every week. Amazing stuff, well done!

Best wishes – Marion

By: Cindy Lietz@Rock Tumbler Polymer Clay Beads

Cindy Lietz@Rock Tumbler Polymer Clay Beads — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:45:30 +0000

**PHOTOS ADDED: Some project pictures have just been added to a Spotlight Feature showcasing Rob Kerfoot, a member who is very much appreciated here at this supportive polymer clay community. Click on the “Rock Tumbler Polymer Clay Beads” link by my name above to have a look.

By: Cindy Lietz@River Rocks for Rock Tumblers

Cindy Lietz@River Rocks for Rock Tumblers — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:35:11 +0000

Welcome Ritzs – It’s great to have you here. The plastic tumbler on your beach tumbler should be fine.

There is actually a ton of information that has accumulated here at the blog about rock tumblers. There is a search box at the top of every page to make it easy to find stuff. Use the following keywords:

tumbler
kiddie tumbler
river rocks
lortone
vibratory

If you still have questions after reading through the articles and comments that have already been posted, then by all means post specific questions and some will be glad to help you further.

By: Ritzs

Ritzs — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:03:50 +0000

I am fairly new to this chat thing but i love your site it has given me so much help like all of you i am polyclay mad, made tons of beads and sold some in the local craft shop, but i live in the u k or at least wales my children say out in the middle of nowere my question is i have just ordered a beach tumbler as the postage for the lorton was to expensive. It has a plastic barrel is that o k and what would be river rock in the uk is it the same as in the U S I have never seen any to no what it looks like. i am trying to help my pore arthritic fingers with the small beads

By: Cindy Lietz@Hammered Copper Wire Hookmark

Cindy Lietz@Hammered Copper Wire Hookmark — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:14:42 +0000

Excellent advice Cathy! Thanks!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:08:40 +0000

Instead of river rock gravel, try plain aquarium gravel from a pet shop. A small bag is all you need. The weight of the small rocks keep the beads in constant motion.

By: Cindy Lietz@Rock Tumbler Cleanser Method vs River Rock

Cindy Lietz@Rock Tumbler Cleanser Method vs River Rock — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:15:13 +0000

Linda, the plastic pellets would be great to try if you have them already, but the method I have found to work the best so far is the River Rock Method.

Click the link by my name for an article on this method.

By: Linda Pollack

Linda Pollack — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:27:35 +0000

Hi Randee,

I plan to try your method of sanding polymer clay beads using the poly pellets. Is water added with the beads and soda like with other methods. Or is this way done with out water.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Linda Pollack

By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Tutorial | Pillow Beads

Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Tutorial | Pillow Beads — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:58:27 +0000

Fantastic Jocelyn! I will take a look for those materials and try them out myself! I have had some great success with the river rock as long as the beads are quite smooth going into the tumbler. The rocks don’t take off fingerprints and creases though. Does the grit remove small defects?

You’re right about being careful with the fabric sheet beads like the pillow beads. You wouldn’t want to wear away any of that beautiful design!