I have a rock tumbler that I got as a present. It's neat, but this page is right - it takes a long time, and you end up using a lot of grit as well, and it must be done in order. Oh, and did I mention that it's noisy? Definitely not a hobby for ... me.
But! One thing I have found interesting is that you can make your own "sea glass", by breaking wine or beer bottles, and tumbling the big-ish chunks. The thicker the glass, the better, of course. I'm experimenting with just using some sand as the grit material; the glass doesn't come out shiny and smooth, but it definitely wears down the sharp edges.
(And I run the tumbler thing in our detached garage.)
I add ceramic fillers to make sure the barrel is at least 3/4 full. It makes very little noise that way; I can't hear it when standing outside the door of the room I'm running it in.
Thanks for this tip. I'm planning on buying a friend a tumbler for xmas, and if this works as advertised, I feel this would be a must have as part of the gift.
Edit: of course, TFA mentions this as well for those willing to click the link <facepalm>
You can pick up Silicon Carbide grit pretty cheap online ( impure moissanite ).
I have several tumblers, but have yet to finish the process of making polished gems- but it is still on my bucket list :). I have made lots of "sea glass: though. I have taken quite a bit to the local beach ( about 40 miles north of Palm Beach Fl. ) I toss it into the surf, figuring it will make some beachcombers happy. My logic is that once it has been in the ocean a few days, it will actually be sea glass. I would not make that claim for any of the glass that comes straight out of the tumbler though. Next time you visit a craft show and see folks with "Sea glass" Jewelry, note if they have separate displays for "real" sea glass, and man made.
But! One thing I have found interesting is that you can make your own "sea glass", by breaking wine or beer bottles, and tumbling the big-ish chunks. The thicker the glass, the better, of course. I'm experimenting with just using some sand as the grit material; the glass doesn't come out shiny and smooth, but it definitely wears down the sharp edges.
(And I run the tumbler thing in our detached garage.)