Silicon Carbide Grit For Tumbling, Lapping & Glass Work

Silicon Carbide Grit For Tumbling, Lapping & Glass Work

What do I use silicon carbide for?

• Silicon carbide grit is used in tumbling, lapping and also glass work.

What is the 1,500 silicon carbide grit typically used for?

• 1,500 silicon carbide grit can be used for tumbling and lapping, however, it is commonly used in glass work.

If I'm a beginner in tumbling, what silicon carbide grits should I purchase to start out?

• We recommend using 80, 400, 600 silicon carbide grit.
• If you don't have enough stones to fill your tumbling barrel, we do recommend using plastic pellets. Your rough stones should be nice and snug in the barrel. The rough stones should fill the barrel around 3/4 full, than you add the water and silicon carbide grit.
• You would also need to purchase a polishing compound for your final polish. We recommend using cerium oxide for your final polish.
• Please note - please don't use the same barrel for your silicone carbide grit and your polishing compound (cerium oxide). We always recommend having two separate barrels. This eliminates any chance of any cross contamination occurring.
• Plastic pellets, cerium oxide and replacement barrel can be purchased separately through our website.

What is the process of tumbling rocks?

1. Place rocks into your tumbling barrel. Don't fill the barrel right to the top, leave a gap. Add one tablespoon of your first silicon carbide grit (80) and then top it up with water to just cover the rocks. Secure the barrel lid and leave on for 5 - 7 days.
2. When ready, strain the rocks and discard the liquid and wash the barrel and rocks thoroughly. Then return the rocks and add you next silicon carbide grit (400) add water and repeat for the last silicon carbide grit (600).
3. Last stage is polish. Make sure your barrel is super clean and free from silicon carbide grit residue, as you don't want to cross contaminate the silicon carbide grit and the polish. Return the rocks, add 2 teaspoons of cerium oxide, then add plastic pellets as a filler plus water and repeat process. Remember you can recycle your polish water and reuse for polishing as it contains residue.

- Instructions suitable for a 3lb barrel. For larger barrels just add some more silicon carbide grit into the barrel.

What silicon carbide grit is available? Please see below.

• 16
• 46
• 80
• 220
• 320
• 400
• 600
• 800
• 1200
• 1500

What sizes are available for the silicon carbide grit? Please see below.

• 500g.
• 1kg.
• 2kg.
• 5kg.
• 25kg.

Please note:

• Please keep out of reach of small children.
• Please use appropriate safety gear when using silicon carbide grit.