ISO Rock polisher / tumbler

[jgenie]

I’m thinking of getting my DS a rock tumbler / polisher. Anyone have a recommendation? TÍA

[ChicagoNDMom]

Oh boy, have been down this path. Takes forever to “polish” (weeks/months) and kids lose interest really fast. Never, ever looks like the photo on the box. My 2 cents: Buy used or, better yet, spend your $ on a better activity.

[jgenie]

Oh boy, have been down this path. Takes forever to “polish” (weeks/months) and kids lose interest really fast. Never, ever looks like the photo on the box. My 2 cents: Buy used or, better yet, spend your $ on a better activity.

Thanks so much for the honest review! I’ll steer clear!

[KpbS]

If he is interested in geology, he might like some rock collection sets. DD has a few of these as she loves rocks.

[jgenie]

If he is interested in geology, he might like some rock collection sets. DD has a few of these as she loves rocks.

That’s a great idea! Do you have any recommendations?

[hbridge]

We bought a rock tumbler second hand, actually grandpa bought it as a project for them to do at his house. The thing was LOUD, took forever, and the rocks never came out the way they expected. Definitely buy used if he really wants one. Grandpa and DC used the one they had once...

I would look for something else...

[Snow mom]

Oh boy, have been down this path. Takes forever to “polish” (weeks/months) and kids lose interest really fast. Never, ever looks like the photo on the box. My 2 cents: Buy used or, better yet, spend your $ on a better activity.
We have a professional rock tumbler because apparently this is an appropriate gift according to SIL who doesn’t have kids of her own. It does take forever and is not very kid friendly for them to participate in. All the various grits/polishes can’t get into your drains and my memory is they also aren’t appropriate for just dumping outside? You are better off buying special rocks to tumble than finding random rocks around town which is what my kids always wanted to do. My vote is also to look for a different gift but I will say my nephew apparently has done a few loads and is still super into it. I think it’s because my brother is into it and he’s not always the most available parent, so having something that they both are excited about seems to be enough to keep DN hooked on the long, painstaking process. It’s like a pet in that way—there should definitely be the expectation that an adult is going to have to care for the tumbler.

[ncat]

I had one as a kid - I was super excited to get it. We ran one batch of rocks, a mix of rocks I had collected and rocks that came with the tumbler. It took forever and was very loud but the rocks came out well (except for some of the rocks I had collected that were a bit too soft). You would definitely want to run it in a garage or shed, not your house! So, I enjoyed mine as a kid but it didn't get a lot of use.

I gave mine away on our local "Buy Nothing" group and the recipient needed to purchase grit. Perhaps you could check to see if someone local to you has one to give away?

[KpbS]

That’s a great idea! Do you have any recommendations?

My mom bought this for DD and it was a hit.
ROCK ON! Geology Game with Rock & Mineral Collection – Collect and Learn with STEM-based Educational Science Kit in Carrying Tote - Amethyst, Rhodonite, Selenite Crystal, Unakite and lots more https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R6E8SK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GTG94W79JTQHDH0PJMV0

She purchased another collection with smaller stones, but I’m having trouble tracking that one down.

[KpbS]

It would be fun to pair a couple of books with this game/collection also.

Crystal & Gem (Eyewitness) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1409343774/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_C2XQ4EE47JBW896T74Y4
And
Rocks and Minerals (DK Eyewitness) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0744028965/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_86Q5PBD9G6K8DZNKQD6X

[jgenie]

My mom bought this for DD and it was a hit.
ROCK ON! Geology Game with Rock & Mineral Collection – Collect and Learn with STEM-based Educational Science Kit in Carrying Tote - Amethyst, Rhodonite, Selenite Crystal, Unakite and lots more https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R6E8SK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GTG94W79JTQHDH0PJMV0

She purchased another collection with smaller stones, but I’m having trouble tracking that one down.

Thank you!! This looks awesome!

[jgenie]

It would be fun to pair a couple of books with this game/collection also.

Crystal & Gem (Eyewitness) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1409343774/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_C2XQ4EE47JBW896T74Y4
And
Rocks and Minerals (DK Eyewitness) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0744028965/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_86Q5PBD9G6K8DZNKQD6X

Thank you! Thank you! A book hadn’t occurred to me!