Buying Guide for Tumbling Media
Tumbling media is often called mass finishing media, tumbler machine stone, or vibratory finishing media. It takes care of the different mass finishing processes of parts such as deburring, degreasing, deflashing, descaling, surface smoothening, and polishing. Different types of tumbling media are manufactured based on the material. Materials include plastic tumbling media, ceramic tumbling media, steel tumbling media, and organic media such as corn cobs and walnut grit. To know more about tumbling media, read through our guide below.
Benefits of Buying Tumbling Media
Provides Cushioning
Tumbling media made from ceramic or plastic will provide cushioning. While ceramic is hard, it can still absorb some of the energy inside the tumbler. The plastic tumbling media are excellent for cushioning even the most fragile stones.
Improved tumbling action
Tumbling media will produce better results and improve tumbling action. A variety of rocks of different sizes should be used in your mix for best results.
Helps in transporting grit and smoothens it
The tumbling media will pick up grit and carry it to hard-to-reach places in the rocks. The media surface will hold grit and rub it against the stones. Smaller media can get into the nooks and crannies and smooth them out.
Helps in quieting
Adding tumbling media to your tumbler will reduce shaking noises created when rocks mix. Tumbling with plastic media absorbs more sound than with ceramic media.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Tumbling Media
Material
Tubing media are made from a variety of materials, such as rice and glass beads. Most of the materials used for media are comprised of ceramic, plastic, steel, or organic compounds.
Media Shapes
Tumbling media come in a variety of shapes. They are available in pyramid, cylindrical, and round shaped media. Cylindrical media are famous for passing through small holes. Make sure to consider the shapes before buying the tumbling media.
Size
Make sure to select the right size of tumbling media. A larger tumbling media is needed for larger parts. Larger media allow for a rapid cut and a smoother surface on larger parts, but can damage smaller, more delicate parts. The size of the media must also not get lodged in the part.
Quality
The quality of tumbling media may vary depending on the manufacturer and price. Make sure to research all the brands and buy the one that is made up of best quality and also fits your budget.
Conclusion
Using tumbling media will improve your tumbling results for several reasons. It benefits your barrel, cushions fragile stones, improves tumbling action, and transports grit to the rock faces. We hope our buying guide will help you buy the best tumbling media. You can also take a look at our most reviewed and recommended selection of tumbling media in our featured section above.
