Rock Tumbler Media

Tumbling media has three functions: 1) it delivers grit to hard-to-reach rock surfaces; 2) it is used as a filler when tumbling a partial load; 3) it is used to cushion fragile rock materials during the tumbling process. Plastic pellets are to be used in rotary tumblers (they produce too much "bounce" in a vibratory). Ceramic pellets are used in vibratory tumbling but many people also use them in rotary tumblers. If you are tumbling a load of large rocks they will have very few points of contact. However, if you add enough small ceramic cylinders to fill the voids between the rocks there will be a lot more points of contact where grinding action can occur.

Large Ceramic Tumbling Media:

Large ceramic pellets work great as a filler and for delivering grit or polish to difficult-to-reach surfaces. These angle-cut cylinders are approximately 3/8" diameter x 5/8" long. They can be washed and reused along with your rock. When used in the fine grit and polish stages they will last through many tumbling cycles.

Small Ceramic Tumbling Media:

Ceramic pellets work great as a filler and for delivering grit or polish to difficult-to-reach surfaces. These angle-cut cylinders are approximately 3/16" diameter x 3/8" long. They can be washed and reused along with your rock. When used in the fine grit and polish stages they will last through many tumbling cycles.

Plastic Pellet Tumbling Media:

Use these plastic pellets to cushion fragile stones when tumbling in a rotary tumbler or as a filler. The pellets are about 3/16" in diameter and float for easy separation from rock. They can be reused multiple times in the same size grit. (Not for use in vibratory tumblers.)