docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 19, 2009 17:06:52 GMT -5
Oh all wise and knowing RTH sages, I beseach your guidance!
i am about to make some pendant drops and would like advice on the best/cheapest way to drill holes in the stones, including machines, recommended bits, etc. I have a dremel and some diamond burrs but they are either too coarse or fragile and I want to do a really smooth job and not have to repolish the surface afterward. :help: :help: :help:
Mark H.
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Post by Bejewelme on Feb 20, 2009 13:44:21 GMT -5
My advice is to not drill!! Can you use wire and epoxy instead? I hate drilling into stones, and especially cabs, all that work to then see them break! So sad!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 20, 2009 13:59:22 GMT -5
I've used a Dremel with diamond bits in the past. The key is to go slowly and keep the stone under water. You want to use a pulsing action with the bit.
When this has come up before, others suggested drilling before polishing.
Hope that helps, Chuck
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Post by akansan on Feb 20, 2009 14:06:52 GMT -5
Zotika has an excellent tutorial on how he drilled his pendants. Let me see if I can dig it up in the Lapidary Tips.
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Post by akansan on Feb 20, 2009 14:15:55 GMT -5
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misguidedone
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2007
Posts: 94
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Post by misguidedone on Feb 21, 2009 11:58:40 GMT -5
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misguidedone
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2007
Posts: 94
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Post by misguidedone on Feb 21, 2009 12:37:47 GMT -5
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rockbottom
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by rockbottom on Feb 21, 2009 18:18:34 GMT -5
Steve, how many holes can you get out of the 2mm size, and are they the same price?
I've been buying 100 - 1mm drills from China for $25.00 and reaming the hole out with a 2mm drill. I only get about 2 holes to a bit, so core bits ought to save some money.
Bob
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misguidedone
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2007
Posts: 94
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Post by misguidedone on Feb 21, 2009 19:50:09 GMT -5
Bob, Their super small diamond core bits are $4.75 and are 1.5 - 3mm. Twenty holes with these bits on the average. Here is a link: www.dadsrockshop.com/diamond_drills.htmlI got a bit off topic as I drill my holes prior to the vibe. Very important to make sure the slug is clear from the core. Don't ever pick at the end of the bit or shove a close fitting nail into it to extract the slug. I use a thin, stiff, stainless steel wire and carefully push it out. I also would not use a core bit in a hand held device. Steve
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 21, 2009 21:21:17 GMT -5
Guys, thanks very much. I want to cut earring and pendant stones for a friend of my sister-in-law who makes jewellry. SShe does wire wraps and pendants liek steves. I an accumulating boxes of slabs and need to do something with them.
I checked out my new Lortone catalog and they have core bits, too- for over $30 each. Thanks for the lead. i need to save where I can.
Mark H.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 22, 2009 14:25:46 GMT -5
I.'ve been PMing Steve and he told me to run the core bits at 1500-2000 RPM. I was mistaken about the prices on the bits in the Prtone catalog. Dad's is a little cheaper but freight is higher. $13 by Fed Ex ground- no options offered at checkout- for for eight little bits and dome gem templates. Their grit prices were high too. They had some super deals on cabbing units, though.
mark H.
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rockbottom
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by rockbottom on Feb 24, 2009 12:57:59 GMT -5
Thanks Steve for all the information. I think I'll order a couple each of 4mm and 2mm. Sounds like best way to go.
Bob
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