# Best coarse rock tumbler grit: 60/90 silicon carbide for step 1 Source: https://tumblegrit.com/best/best-coarse-rock-tumbler-grit Publisher: Tumble Grit. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://tumblegrit.com/how-we-pick Coarse grit (step 1, 60/90 silicon carbide) is the grade that runs out first. Step 1 is the only step that changes the shape of the stone, and hard, jagged rough often needs 2 to 4 one-week runs. Each run takes fresh grit, because coarse grit is spent after a week and cannot be reused. At about 2 level tablespoons per pound of rock, a 3 lb barrel takes about 4 tablespoons per run, so a kit-size packet goes quickly. The packs below are single-step coarse silicon carbide only. They differ mainly in weight (1 lb to 20 lb), in the container (jars, resealable bags, or not stated) and in grading: most are 60/90, a blend of mesh sizes, and one is a straight 60 grit. Lower mesh numbers are coarser, so 46/70 is a step coarser than 60/90 and leaves deeper scratches for step 2 to remove, while a straight 80 sits at the fine end of the 60/90 range. Nothing here was tested: every detail comes from the Amazon listings. For exact amounts per barrel, use the grit calculator on this site. ## Picks ### 1. 5 lbs Rock Tumbler Grit Step 1 Tumbler Media Grit,Rock Polishing Grit Media, Works with Any Rock Tumbler, Rock Polisher, Stone Polisher,COARSE 60/90 Silicon Carbide Grit, Step 1 for Tumbling Stones Grit: 60/90; Material: Silicon carbide; Weight: 5 lb; Container: Re-closable seal bags 5 lb of 60/90 graded silicon carbide for step 1, packed in re-closable seal bags. A mid-size refill for a hobbyist who has to repeat the coarse step on hard rough. What the listing offers: - The listing states 5 pounds of 60/90 graded silicon carbide grit for the first stage (step 1). - Packaged in re-closable seal bags, which the listing says prevent spills and store unused grit. - Listed as compatible with any brand of rock tumbler. Limits to know: - Bags, not rigid jars: the listing does not say how many bags make up the 5 lb. - No country of origin, usage amounts or instructions are given in the listing. ### 2. 10 lbs Rock Tumbler Grit - Tumbler Media Grit,Rock Polishing Grit Media, Works with Any Rock Tumbler, Rock Polisher, Stone Polisher,COARSE 60/90 Silicon Carbide Grit, Step 1 for Tumbling Stones Grit: 60/90; Material: Black silicon carbide; Weight: 10 lb; Container: Re-closable jars 10 lb of coarse 60/90 black silicon carbide for step 1, packed in re-closable jars. A bulk pack for larger barrels or for many repeated coarse runs. What the listing offers: - The listing states 10 pounds of coarse size 60/90 silicon carbide grit for rock tumbling step 1. - Packaged in re-closable jars, which the listing says prevent spills and store unused grit. - Described as graded black silicon carbide, compatible with any brand of rock tumbler. Limits to know: - The listing does not say how many jars the 10 lb is split into. - No country of origin and no usage amounts or instructions are given in the listing. ### 3. 5lb of MJR Tumblers Premium 60/90 Coarse Silicon Carbide Rock Polishing Grit for Step/Stage 1, MJR Tumblers is a Disabled and Veteran Owned Company Proudly Located in USA Grit: 60/90; Material: Silicon carbide; Weight: 5 lb; Container: not stated A 5 lb pack of graded 60/90 silicon carbide for step 1 from a US-based supplier. A mid-size refill for anyone who repeats the coarse step and wants more than a jar. What the listing offers: - The listing states 60/90 graded silicon carbide grit, the standard grading for step 1. - Sold as a single 5 lb pack, described as the first stage grit that gives stones their initial shape. - The listing says the company is American owned and located in Pecatonica, Illinois. Limits to know: - The listing does not say whether the grit ships in a bag, a jar or a tub. - The bullets are brief: no usage amounts or instructions are given in the listing. ### 4. Rock Tumbler Grit Step 1, 60 Grit Silicon Carbide Coarse Media Refill 5LB Grit: 60; Material: Silicon carbide; Weight: 5 lb; Container: not stated A 5 lb step 1 refill of straight 60 grit silicon carbide instead of a 60/90 blend. The listing gives a usage ratio, which helps when planning how many batches a pack covers. What the listing offers: - The listing states 60 grit silicon carbide for step 1 coarse grinding, in a 5 lb refill. - Gives a usage ratio: about 1 oz of grit per pound of rocks, for up to approximately 80 lb of rocks. - Listed as compatible with most standard rotary and vibratory rock tumblers. Limits to know: - Graded as a single 60 grit, not the 60/90 blend that most step 1 instructions name. - Container type and country of origin are not stated in the listing details used for this guide. ### 5. MJR Tumblers 60/90 Grit Silicon Carbide Rock Tumbler Grit, Extra Coarse Stage 1 Rock Polishing Grit, 20 lb Stone Polishing Compound for Rotary & Vibratory Tumblers, Lapidary Supply Grit: 60/90; Material: Silicon carbide; Weight: 20 lb; Container: not stated The largest pack in this guide: 20 lb of 60/90 silicon carbide for step 1. Suits large barrels, several tumblers, or a long run of repeated coarse cycles. What the listing offers: - The listing states 60/90 grit silicon carbide for the first stage of rock tumbling, in a 20 lb size. - Listed as compatible with most rock tumblers, including rotary and vibratory machines. - The listing says it can be used on stones, minerals and glass, including sea glass projects. Limits to know: - 20 lb is far more than one small 3 lb barrel is likely to use in a short time. - The listing does not state the container type or how the 20 lb is packed. ### 6. Polly Plastics Rock Tumbler Media Grit Refill, Coarse 60/90 Silicon Carbide Grit, Stage 1 for Tumbling Stones (2 Pack) (2 lb.) Grit: 60/90; Material: Silicon carbide; Weight: 2 lb (2 x 1 lb); Container: Re-usable jars Two 1 lb jars of coarse 60/90 silicon carbide grit for step 1. A small, tidy refill for a 3 lb barrel when a kit's coarse grit has run out before the other grades. What the listing offers: - The listing states two 1 lb jars holding 2 lb of coarse 60/90 silicon carbide grit in total. - Packed in re-usable jars, which the listing says prevent spills and store unused product. - Listed as made in the USA by an American company using American sourced materials. Limits to know: - At 2 lb in total it is a small pack for step 1, the step that is most often repeated. - Single step only: medium grit, pre-polish and polish have to be bought separately. ### 7. Fundamental Rockhound Rock Tumbling GRIT Coarse 1 lb 60/90 Silicon Carbide Grit: 60/90; Material: Silicon carbide; Weight: 1 lb; Container: not stated One pound of coarse 60/90 silicon carbide, listed for rotary or vibratory tumbling. The smallest pack here: a top-up when only the step 1 grit has run short. What the listing offers: - The listing states one pound of coarse 60/90 silicon carbide grit. - Listed as made for rock tumbling in either vibratory or rotary machines. - The listing states that the grit is made in the USA. Limits to know: - Only 1 lb, so it will not go far if step 1 has to be repeated on hard rough. - The listing has three short bullets and does not describe the container. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.