FAQ
Questions I get a lot
The recurring ones from comments, answered in full so I can just drop a link instead of retyping the same reply. Didn't find yours? Ask in the comments on YouTube and I'll add it here.
What tumbler should I buy?
Depends on your budget and patience. If you want to buy once and be done, the Thumler's Model B is the workhorse I still use. If you're just testing the hobby, the Vevor 4lb kit is the cheap way to find out if you like it. If you want faster results and don't mind spending more, a vibratory tumbler like the Diamond Pacific Mini-Sonic finishes in days instead of weeks. Full breakdown, with links, on the gear page
How long does tumbling actually take?
Plan on roughly a month for a full four-stage run — about a week per stage — though hardness, load size, and how rough your starting material is can stretch that. Full stage-by-stage timing is on the tumbling guide
Can I tumble a rock that has cracks, holes, or other flaws?
Yes, usually — it just takes longer and won't always come out flawless. Worth trying before you toss a rock that looks rough. I made a whole video on this exact question: watch it here
Where do you find these rocks?
Mostly creeks and riverbeds around the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia — the Rivanna River shows up a lot in my videos. I keep exact spots general on purpose (a popular spot gets picked clean fast), but for figuring out what to look for and where, I use the free USGS geologic maps and the Rockd app for identification — both linked on the gear page.
What saw do you use for cutting?
The Hi-Tech Diamond 6" Trim Saw — it's in nearly every cutting video on the channel. Details and links on the gear page
Do you sell your finished pieces?
Yes — polished stones and pendants are up on my Etsy shop
Is it okay to use your affiliate links?
Yes, and thank you — it costs you nothing extra and genuinely helps keep the channel going. Everything I link is gear I actually use myself; nothing is sponsored placement.