I have a little experience with hand polishing, but none with tumblers. Is there any way to get a mirror, or close to mirror finish with just a tumbler? I know IF it is possible, it would probably take 3 or 4 steps (media), and probably several hours(over 24?). But I haven't found any info stating exactly what kind of finish tumbling can actually achieve.
Or could tumbling just be used as a prep for hand polishing? Can it remove cutter 'swirls'? Or maybe even small scallops/cusps?