Hello! As a subject matter expert with extensive knowledge in the field of rock tumbling, I'm happy to address your question about reusing grit from a rock tumbler.

**Yes, you can reuse grit from a rock tumbler**, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Grit, like any abrasive, will wear down over time as it grinds away at the rocks in the tumbler. Here's a breakdown of the process and the factors to consider:


1. Coarse Grit (60-70 mesh): This is the first stage of tumbling and is used to remove any rough edges and shape the rocks. It wears down quickly and can become less effective after one use. If you choose to reuse it, you may not achieve the same level of smoothing.


2. Medium Grit (100-120 mesh): After the coarse grit, the medium grit is used for further smoothing. It will also wear down, but it can often be reused more effectively than coarse grit, possibly for two or three cycles.


3. Fine Grit (220 mesh): This grit is used to polish the rocks and give them a shiny finish. It wears down more slowly and can be reused several times before it needs to be replaced.


4. Polishing Grit: This is the final stage and is used with a polishing compound. It can also be reused multiple times.

When reusing grit, it's important to clean it thoroughly after each use to remove any rock dust or debris. This will help maintain its effectiveness. However, as the grit becomes finer and less effective, you will need to replace it to ensure the best results.

Remember, the effectiveness of the grit decreases with each use, so while you can save some money by reusing it, there will come a point where the quality of your tumbled rocks will suffer if you don't replace the grit.

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Because grit gradually breaks down as you're tumbling, you cannot reuse it. However, the slurry that your tumbler creates can be used from the previous stage to help the grinding action. For the polish stage, you do not want any slurry or grit in the barrel from your prior stage.read more >>