After having my beads tumble in the tumbler for 8 hours, using 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, I changed them over to the other barrel. This time I am using 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper. I found the finer grits at an auto supply store. I checked all of the beads before I closed the barrel. They where glossier and also smoother and none of them damaged. I am re-using the sandpaper in the first barrel to work on other beads. I am trying not to mix light and dark colored beads together. I have heard of them becoming discolored. In the second batch I started, I also added three barrettes that where made with the same cane as the beads. I will see how that works out. I will check both barrels after four hours and check on the beads inside. I think that I will allow the tumbler to run all night. It is very quiet and won’t keep any one up with the noise.
The other day my husband bought me new rock tumbler to use to polish my beads. A wonderful idea, even though it won’t make the bead polish faster. At least it will not be using my time to do it. I am currently playing with it and my first batch of beads (except the one I REALLY like). I have had it running for about 3 hours now. I bearly hear it in the background, which is good. I will be checking it in about one hour, just to see how things are going. I started the project by cleaning both of the barrels (although I am only using one). I then lined one of the barrels with wet/dry sandpaper, cutting pieces for the top and bottom. I added the beads and more pieces of sand paper for them to tumble with. Following the directions, I added water to cover everything and closed it all up. I will let you all know how things are going. It will take time.