Does anyone know anything about stone polishing? (Wasn't sure where to post this!)

[SherlockHolmes]

Just that really. DS is keen to polish up some stones he found on the beach, and I quite fancy doing it too.

I've seen some machines for sale for about £50 new, but don't know if they'd be any good.

I'll try Googling, but from experience it seems I always end up back at Mumsnet

Thanks.

Gosh, stone polishing / stone tumbling was a hobby back in my days (70s), I remember my brother having a stone tumbler. We were kids, so it wouldn't have been very expensive.

I've done it with a Dremel also known as a rotary tool. You can do much more than just polishing with a Dremel too like engraving metals, glass and wood.

Thanks both. We live near the coast and I've got some nice stones I've picked up and thought it would be cheap and easy to polish them. But it appears not.

Eggsy yes, I remember those lamp bases!

But a stone polisher (or rock tumbler) is going to set me back at least £50, then you have to buy the grit to go in it. So I'm beginning to think it will be a bit of a waste of money. Surprisingly, there are very few for sale second-hand on Ebay.

Whynam I think a Dremel will cost a fair bit too (and involve far more work .

Anyone fancy a polished pebble necklace? (thought not)

I bought a kit with 20/30ish different head for about £40.

Have just discovered a relative has one that they no longer want so have one for free! Thanks Whynam, will have a look at getting one of those second-hand also.