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Post by rockjunquie on May 19, 2019 13:06:09 GMT -5
First impression- great quality. I've seen cheap hobby drill presses. This ain't one of them. It's about 5 lbs with holes for mounting, which I won't be doing. The pull down handle is nice and smooth and everything seems real solid and adjustable. I'm happy. I tried to drill a hole in a cab already, but I have the wrong kind of bits and had to order some. (Damn, I hate waiting.) I also ordered a allen driver for the foredom handpiece holder. You have to loosen 2 allen bolts to remove the handle and visa versa. That was tedious as I don't like using allen wrenches. It was like 7.00 so no biggie. Plus, it won't get lost or mixed up with any others. I saw a vid at Rio where they use the moldable plastic to drill a hole in stone. Since I already have some of it, I'm gonna try that first. I used waaaay to much plastic the first time. Good thing it's reusable. My only concern is the back blowing out- we'll see. Ordered some diamond ball bits, too, to start the hole. In the future, I'll try to drill the preform and not the cab. (Those needle thin bits pictured above are useless, but I had them on hand.) I'll update here after I make a successful hole with it.
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Post by taylor on May 19, 2019 14:00:55 GMT -5
Good for you! We really like our drill press. We use an old 8 x 8 glass dish under the item to be drilled. I haven't seen the plastic before. Where to you get it? Thanks
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Post by Pat on May 19, 2019 14:27:09 GMT -5
Be sure to have cab in water. Slowly lower drill bit and raise it repeatedly. Water will run in the hole and out, taking Stone dust with it. Also keeps drill bit cool. It’s fun to do. 😀
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Post by rockjunquie on May 19, 2019 14:57:48 GMT -5
Good for you! We really like our drill press. We use an old 8 x 8 glass dish under the item to be drilled. I haven't seen the plastic before. Where to you get it? Thanks I'm not sure where I got mine. Rio or Amazon. You can get it all over now and the prices vary. www.amazon.com/s?k=moldable+plastic&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
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Post by rockjunquie on May 19, 2019 14:58:41 GMT -5
Be sure to have cab in water. Slowly lower drill bit and raise it repeatedly. Water will run in the hole and out, taking Stone dust with it. Also keeps drill bit cool. It’s fun to do. 😀 The goal is to form a little well around the stone to hold the water. I used enough for 3 stones, but at least I had a well.
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Post by Rockindad on May 19, 2019 18:35:48 GMT -5
Certainly looks sturdy. I don't care what hobby you're talking about getting new gear is fun!
Al
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Post by rockjunquie on May 19, 2019 19:59:01 GMT -5
Certainly looks sturdy. I don't care what hobby you're talking about getting new gear is fun! Al Agreed! Now, I'm just waiting on that Lot-O. It'll be like Christmas!
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 19, 2019 22:17:58 GMT -5
Wow, all kinds of toys. Look forward to all the new creations to come out of all this gear. Really anxious to see how you use the Lot-O. Noticed Sid back there trying to bite a bracelet. Always into something, I imagine.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 20, 2019 0:10:52 GMT -5
Wow, all kinds of toys. Look forward to all the new creations to come out of all this gear. Really anxious to see how you use the Lot-O. Noticed Sid back there trying to bite a bracelet. Always into something, I imagine. I was wondering if anyone would catch that. He's cutting his molars, I think. He loves that bracelet. I think you'll hear ALL about my adventures with the tumbler. LOL!
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Post by grumpybill on May 20, 2019 7:06:56 GMT -5
I've been ordering bits, etc. from this outfit. Very good price/quality ratio. thk.hk/index.php
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Post by rockjunquie on May 20, 2019 8:05:02 GMT -5
I've been ordering bits, etc. from this outfit. Very good price/quality ratio. thk.hk/index.phpThanks, I'll check it out. I had a credit at Rio, so I got some there, but I'm open to someplace else.
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Post by grumpybill on May 20, 2019 8:28:24 GMT -5
THK is in Hong Kong, so it takes a while for things to get you. Anywhere from 10 to 14 days, so don't order at the last moment.
Edit to add: They also sell on eBay.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 20, 2019 8:33:30 GMT -5
THK is in Hong Kong, so it takes while for things to get you. Anywhere from 10 to 14 days, so don't order at the last moment. The quality is good? I hear good quality ones are hard to find.
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Post by grumpybill on May 20, 2019 8:52:37 GMT -5
MUCH longer lasting than others that I've gotten directly from China. On average I'd say I get 6 holes in hard stones and can still drill a hole or two in glass/obsidian...depending on how aggressive I get. The ones I'm using have larger diamond chips than what The Rock Shed sells = faster drilling/grinding and I've gotten a few from TRS with bent shanks. No experience with other US suppliers. Edit to add: I think jamesp has bought from THK. Maybe he'll chime in...if he can take time away from clearing land for his mountain home.
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cosmetal
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2018
Posts: 115
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Post by cosmetal on May 20, 2019 11:22:03 GMT -5
rockjunquieI've used the moldable plastic on a few holes I've done. But, I still got blow-outs. At this point, I think the blow-outs were mostly from operator error. Still trying to perfect technique. But, I had to re-heat the plastic to pop out the stone to prevent damage. Again, operator error. If all your stones are the same geometry, then the plastic nest is cool for repeat drillings. Like I said, I'm still experimenting with different drilling techniques. I want to try what other RTH members have suggested: Starting with a smaller hole - then finishing with the final drill.
Flipping the stone over to drill from both sides.
Making a drill jig to position the back side hole correctly.
Using a ball burr to chamfer the edges of the holes.
Etc. James
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Post by grumpybill on May 20, 2019 12:03:34 GMT -5
An occasional blowout seems unpreventable, but I've found I get a lot fewer when I let up on the pressure just before the bit pokes through.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 20, 2019 12:06:57 GMT -5
I used to buy lots of THK twist diamond bits. I could drill 2-6 holes in agate cabs before they wore out. Once I drilled 35 before it wore out. I wish that was normal. I've switched to this type of bit: They last a lot longer than the twist bits. They're real cheap, like $4 for 20. I recommend giving them a try.
Here's a link, but I'm sure this won't be valid if you're viewing this some months or years in the future. You can find them on eBay too. They all ship from China. Takes from 10 - 20 days to the US. Lynn
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Post by MsAli on May 20, 2019 14:53:57 GMT -5
I got a kick out of the kitten being a kitten
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Post by rockjunquie on May 20, 2019 16:22:15 GMT -5
I got a kick out of the kitten being a kitten Amazon brought a big box of kitten toys today to supplement what he has. It looked like Kitty Christmas in here! Even Cat got it in on the action.
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Post by toiv0 on May 20, 2019 17:49:59 GMT -5
I got a kick out of the kitten being a kitten Amazon brought a big box of kitten toys today to supplement what he has. It looked like Kitty Christmas in here! Even Cat got it in on the action. can't wait to see what he looks like after a few days in the lotto when you get it
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