If preserving the health and shine of your rocks is important to you, then you have probably heard of a rock tumbler. Rock lovers who care about how their rocks look know that it's essential to smoothen and shine the rocks often. However, commercial rock tumblers tend to be quite pricey and might end up not suiting your needs. If you have found this to be your case, then this article is what you need.
I will be showing 20 DIY rock tumbler projects that you can make to smoothen and shine your rocks. Rock tumbling makes rocks shine like new again without the effort of crushing or other complicated machinery. In fact, you can make a rock tumbler from nothing more than a bucket, some rocks, and a few simple tools. Whether you want to create a miniature pet fountain or a home-brewed mixture of drinks for your thirsty pets, these projects are an easy way to get creative and make your rocks shine. Let's dig in!
Table of Contents
1. How To Make A Rock Tumbler
Save costs with this beginner-friendly rock tumbling project. You'll need some plywood, PCB, wheels, a small barrel, and a few other supplies to make this. This DIY guide also contains lots of helpful information on how to achieve the rotary motion required for the tumbling process. It's also pretty straightforward to follow.
2. How To Make A Cheap Rock Tumbler
Rock tumbling is a great hobby that's even more fun when you have your tumbling machine. This DIY is perfect for you if you're on a budget but would still love to make your rock tumbler. This works well on metals and so can be used to clean your metals as well.
3. Building A Homemade Rock Tumbler
This is a beginner-friendly project that is super easy to follow. Even though you have zero rock tumbling experience, you will learn tons of helpful tips from this tutorial and avoid some of the mistakes made as well. Plus, most of the materials required to make this project can be found already lying around in your house.
4. Easy Homemade Rock Tumbler
This DIY project will rock your world if you want to make a rock tumbler for smoothening your rocks. Apart from being pretty easy to make, you'll need just a few supplies. All you'll need is a small plastic container with a screw lid, a gallon bucket, bolts threaded, nuts for the bolts, glue gun, aquarium rocks, electrical tape, drills and bits, 4 washers, and zip ties. Check out the tutorial if you want the accurate measurement of materials used.
5. How To Build A Rock Tumbler
It's no secret that a plain-looking rock if tumbled can turn out to be pretty beautiful and special. If this transformation sounds like something you would love to see, then check out this amazing DIY rock tumbler project. This project can be used to clean metal, rocks and to smoothen rocks. The good news is that if you have an old laser printer, then you will spend way less on this project because it has nearly all the parts needed to make the tumbler. The process is simple to follow through and the result is terrific. instructables
6. Rock Tumbler DIY
One great thing about rock tumbling is that it's a family activity (although young kids will require supervision. To make this project, you'll need Silicon Carbide Grit and Polish pack, a soil pipe joiner with 2 caps, and a laser or inkjet printer. If you have scraps lying around that you want to throw out, you might find they are useful for this DIY. When you're done with making this rock tumbler, you can finally polish that amethyst you have. And if you have scraps, all you'll need to spend is less than 20 dollars. instructables
7. Affordable Rock Tumbler
If you have been meaning to make jewelry but do not know what kind of beads or material to use, then why not tumble some rocks until they can be used to make jewelry. Rock tumblers would help you appreciate the hidden beauty around you. This project costs less than 40 pounds to make and should be possible even for a beginner to make as the process is broken into 12 steps with lots of tips on mistakes to avoid. instructables
8. Landscape Rock Tumbler
Do you have landscape rocks you want shining and smooth? Then try out this landscape rock tumbler. It's easy to use and great for cleaning or polishing your landscape rocks. With this DIY, you'll learn the dos and don'ts of rock and how to make a rock tumbler. You shouldn't pour the rocks before you start the motor. Rather, start the motor then dump your pile of rocks in them to prevent burnout. instructables
9. DIY Tumbler With Sewing Machine And Tire
Are you looking for a tumbling machine that works effectively, is easy to set up, and can be maintained with little work? Then you're looking for this DIY. This project is made from a sewing machine, some plywood, and a tire. The sewing machine pedal makes it easy to control the speed. It can be used to tumble rocks, glass, china, and wood.
10. How To Make A Rotary Tumbler Machine
Make this simple and affordable tumbler with this DIY guide. The materials needed to make this easy to get and the process Is straightforward. Afterward, your tumbler could be used to make art or decoration.
11. Homemade Rock Tumbler
Sometimes, store-bought products don't just work as you hope and you should know how to make yours If you need to. If your commercial rock tumbler takes too long to work and you don't want a drill-powered rock tumbler, then this is right for you as it can work for hours consistently.
12. DIY Rock Tumbler
You can make a rock tumbler for less than 20 dollars, using bits of scrap you may have already and a 10 dollar electric drill as your motor. This rock tumbler is highly effective, easy to assemble and maintain too.
13. DIY Rock Tumbler
Make your DIY rock tumbler with this simple-to-follow tutorial guide. All you need for this is the rock tumbler drums, RPM motor, pulleys and belts, rubber felts, and a motor speed controller. This DIY also contains information on how to tumble your rocks for optimum results.
14. Rock Tumbler DIY
Do you have a substantial amount of junk lying around? Before taking a trip to the hardware store for this DIY, you should find out if you cannot use what you already have. This original project cost the builder zero dollars because he already had the parts needed in his junk pile. Even if you don't, this DIY will be affordable and easy to follow through. Even beginner builders can manage this project just fine. instructables
15. Peach Jar Rock Tumbler
This is probably the easiest rock tumbler project on the list! All you need is a jar filled with sand, a drill, some bolts, and viola! You can make this DIY project. While it isn't very aesthetic, it is pretty effective and can be used to get the best out of your rocks. instructables
16. How To Make A Drill Powered Rock Tumbler
A rock tumbler doesn't have to be complicated to make and you don't have to break the bank either. A drill-powered tumbler is just as effective as a regular rock tumbler but costs way less to make. Plus, if you would love to skip the electronic process, this works just fine. wikihow
17. Make A Rock Tumbler In A Day
If you need a machine that will quickly and easily polish your 3D printed or metal parts, you need a rock tumbler and this DIY is just the thing to help you achieve that goal. The best part of this project is that it can be completed in a day and will work consistently for hours.
18. Quick Rock Tumbler Hack
This project is quick and easy to make. It is also made mostly from scraps but also uses a drill and a fan. If you don't mind the noise that this will give off and want a machine that tumbles a lot faster, then this is for you.
19. Homemade High Capacity Rock Tumbler
Do you have a lot of hefty rocks you want to tumble? Or do you need a high-capacity rock tumbler? Then this rock tumbler is ideal for you. It is easy to build even if you have no prior building experience. What's more? It's affordable and can tumble a large number of rocks at once. Plus, it can be made within a few hours.
20. Building A Huge Rotary Rock Tumbler
Check out this DIY if you need a machine that you can use for huge rocks. This DIY project is great if you'll be tumbling an enormous amount of rocks. Plus, you don't have to break the bank to make it too. Rock tumblers are a great way to clean your metals, rocks, or 3D materials and maintain their natural shine. Jump on any of these projects if you'd like to preserve your rocks and gems.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap guys! I hope you were able to find a suitable DIY rock tumbler for your needs. Most of the plans listed above cost less than $150 dollars to build and could even be cheaper if you already have a drill at home. Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions related to this article in the comment section below.
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