I wanted to make a home-made rock tumbler and I put some normal sized rocks into a Pepsi bottle(the kinds that you get out of the machines) and I screwed the cap on and taped it with packing tape. I also filled it with room-temperature water. Now I was wondering how long I should roll it back and forth. I've done it for over an hour now, and I still don't know when it wil turn smooth. The water was clear and is now, well, still sorta clear, but you can't see through it. There are also little chunks of rock floating in it. Hope this info helps you answer my question and may God bless you all!
2007-06-16 11:09:24 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
It's gonna take quite a few years at that rate. You need to put in an abrasive, something that will rub the rocks smoother than the water, faster. Sand should do it. Don't add so much water. After a certain point you must change the water and the sand. Still it will take you a long, long time.
2007-06-24 11:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by Ding-Ding 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have an electric rock tumbler and it takes about 7 hours to do a few small stones so you will be there a while!!
2007-06-24 07:58:30 · answer #2 · answered by Glitter Monkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, instead of just plain water, some sort of slurry is used.
Smooth stones, like river rock, is polished by years of water and natural grit (sand, silt, etc) working the stone to smooth it.
2007-06-16 22:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by strech 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋