texmom
spending too much on rocks
When life gives you lemons, squeeze it on fried catfish!
Member since February 2005
Posts: 344
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Post by texmom on Apr 9, 2005 13:52:19 GMT -5
I was wondering... I run some clean decorative gravel with my tumbler to help carry the grit and fill out the load. I was thinking I might like to make a bracelet out of these pretty little stones.
What tool can I use to drill the tiny little holes without breaking the stones or flinging them into my nostrils when I try to drill them?
I asked for a dremel for my birthday... does it have a tiny drill for such use?
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Glenn
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2005
Posts: 55
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Post by Glenn on Apr 9, 2005 20:24:44 GMT -5
Texmom , All you need is to get some diamond drill bits ,What ever size you want the hole And get started Drilling,you need to drill them in water. A drill press is the handiest way to go . It takes awhile to get the pressure and pecking up and down to an art . I use a dremel tool . Glenn  |
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texmom
spending too much on rocks
When life gives you lemons, squeeze it on fried catfish!
Member since February 2005
Posts: 344
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Post by texmom on Apr 10, 2005 17:11:33 GMT -5
thanks glenn,
I am hoping the dremel drill will do the trick. I guess I'll need some sort of clamp to hold the stones still.
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Apr 11, 2005 21:43:18 GMT -5
Hi Texmom If you do a search you should find a thread by some one I'm not sure who about drilling stones it gives you pictures and all I think, sorry I can't give you the link.
Bob
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texmom
spending too much on rocks
When life gives you lemons, squeeze it on fried catfish!
Member since February 2005
Posts: 344
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Post by texmom on Apr 11, 2005 21:58:02 GMT -5
thanks duckie!
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Post by Cher on Apr 19, 2005 6:56:10 GMT -5
Texmom, look in the lapidary tips forum, 2nd page. Michiganrocks did a great post with pics on how to drill rocks using a dremel and the dremel drill press attachment.
Cher
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Post by sandsman1 on Apr 19, 2005 16:53:11 GMT -5
and you can do a net search for a ---- bead vise they will hold small stones for drilling
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Kevin P.
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2007
Posts: 4
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Post by Kevin P. on Sept 26, 2007 13:34:02 GMT -5
I took a wooden clothes pin that you use to hang clothes on the line with. I lay it side ways and used a sheet rock screw to screw down thru the hole in the center of the spring on the clothes pin into a base. For the base I cut up a small delrin (white plastic) cutting board and screwed the clothes pin into that. It is not down real tight, you can spin the clothes pin around... I drill my small rock beads in water using a drill press similar to a dremel press but made for a flexible shaft hand piece. I made a small bowl out of a PVC end cap from the plumbing section of the hardware store. The one I picked is flat on the bottom, not rounded. You don't want the bead moving or rocking while drilling. The clothes pin and it's base will sit down inside of the bowl. It works good enough for me. The downside is that the clothes pin does not open up large enough for some of the larger beads I sometimes want to drill holes in, but it will easily hold beads up to 1/2" in diameter.
Kevin
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 26, 2007 15:52:57 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2007 20:32:29 GMT -5
or flinging them into my nostrils when I try to drill them? *SNORT, CHOKE* HAHAHA ;D That phrase struck me as really funny right at this moment. Shannon |
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 27, 2007 9:22:07 GMT -5
Diamond wire drills usually 1.5 mm or 2mm are the most common sizes for bead holes. Make sure you ask for a keyless chuck on the dremmel so it can hold the drill without slipping. I also use the high tech clothes pin holder (added a rubber band on end). Use light pressure and back off. Dopping the bead to a board would work also and helps prevent breaking out the exit side. Some people drill from both sides. Marking the drill the length of the bead and slowing down at end is a good idea also.
John at JS Gems
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