mom2olivia
starting to spend too much on rocks
1st year rock hounds
Member since August 2005
Posts: 154
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Dremels
Jan 5, 2006 12:59:53 GMT -5
Post by mom2olivia on Jan 5, 2006 12:59:53 GMT -5
So would you all consider a Dremel standard equipment for Lapidary work? I'm b-day shopping and I have always wanted a Dremel, don't know why, just want one, LOL. Is there a specific model needed for this kind of hobby, or should I just buy the most expensive one they sell. And what would I need to go with it to get us started working with tumbled rocks? I grew up with a garage full of tools and working out there with my dad was my favorite time. We rebuilt a boat when I was five and I've loved power tools ever since,
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Dremels
Jan 5, 2006 13:12:23 GMT -5
Post by stefan on Jan 5, 2006 13:12:23 GMT -5
The variable speed Dremel is probably the way to go when money is no object- I have the single speed model and it works for 99% of the applications- Once you have the dremel- your gonna need diamond bits (usually refered to as burrs) to grind the rock- this is done in water (just the burr- not the whole dremel) to keep the bits from overheating- I also use safty glases and ear plugs (the rocks will chip- and the sound of a buzzing dremel gets to me after a min or 2-
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mom2olivia
starting to spend too much on rocks
1st year rock hounds
Member since August 2005
Posts: 154
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Dremels
Jan 8, 2006 12:56:40 GMT -5
Post by mom2olivia on Jan 8, 2006 12:56:40 GMT -5
Okay, I looked at Dremels on base today and they have two. They are both variable speed, but one is digital so you can set the exact rpm. Would that be an important feature or just a nifty extra? The non-digital one comes with a lot more accessories and is about $35 cheaper.
I'll probably have to order burs on-line, but they might have them in the German Hardware store.
Wendy
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yogi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 175
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Dremels
Mar 16, 2006 23:03:22 GMT -5
Post by yogi on Mar 16, 2006 23:03:22 GMT -5
I'd go with the non digital, just seems like a waste of money. Fast; Faster; and WAY Fast works pretty well for me. I'm kind of new to tumbling but the Dremel has been in my shop for YEARS, it is the most used tool on my bench. It comes in handy in almost every project I've fiddled with. One of the coolest new toys for mine is a Flex shaft, it lets me hang the tool near by and just use a light weight handel at the cutting end. Harbor Fright has a few sets of the diamond burr sets that will get you started, as well as sellers on EBay. Bill
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mom2olivia
starting to spend too much on rocks
1st year rock hounds
Member since August 2005
Posts: 154
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Dremels
Mar 17, 2006 1:10:00 GMT -5
Post by mom2olivia on Mar 17, 2006 1:10:00 GMT -5
Howdy Bill, I did end up getting the regular Dremel and a set of diamond burrs so I'm all set to go, just have to get up the courage to apply it to some rocks! I did have it out yesterday to round off the ends of a dowl kidlet needed cut for Karate class. (She will be the only one with her stick decorated with flowers, LOL.) Someday, when I have a work bench, I will get the drill press, flex shaft, and all the rest of the goodies. Wendy
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Dremels
Mar 17, 2006 8:34:32 GMT -5
Post by drupe on Mar 17, 2006 8:34:32 GMT -5
Wendy
One item you might want to add fairly quickly is a mounting stand for the tool. It lets you have both hands free to use with your work. It is very handy but not essential.
Pete
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yogi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 175
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Dremels
Mar 17, 2006 8:44:04 GMT -5
Post by yogi on Mar 17, 2006 8:44:04 GMT -5
I'm sure you'll enjoy it Wendy. When you do try out carving on some rock, remember to keep both the stone and the burr wet. I use a tupperware dish, one of the square ones with low walls, half filled with water. I hold the area I want to cut at in the water and cut underwater with light pressure. Letting up often to allow the tip and the rock to cool off. So go grab a rock and give it a try ;-) Bill
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Dremels
Mar 17, 2006 10:27:55 GMT -5
Post by Cher on Mar 17, 2006 10:27:55 GMT -5
Hi Wendy, Just remember when your working on rocks to keep them wet, you don't want to breathe in the dust and if they get too hot, they'll wear out those diamond burrs in a heartbeat. I have a narrow low sided tray that holds about an inch of water, just enough for me to hold the tip of the burr and the rock in to keep them cool and clean. Just remember to be careful ... water and electricity don't mix well. Oh and when your using it on rocks, I run mine wide open.
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finselmom
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2006
Posts: 12
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Dremels
Mar 20, 2006 11:03:42 GMT -5
Post by finselmom on Mar 20, 2006 11:03:42 GMT -5
Hi All! My young boys and I are just getting in to collecting rocks in a more serious way (just past the-oh there's a rock, can I keep it, drop it somewhere and forget about it until it's tumbling around in the dryer stage and into actually trying to identify and store in some meaningful way...). Got my older boy a Lortone double barrel and a box of rocks for Christmas which we've just fired up recently, and added a couple of CE double barrels which were on sale at Harbor Freight so cheap, I figured it was worth the price just for the extra barrels alone.
Anyway, I don't think we're anywhere near ready for slicing, dicing and cabbing, but I do have a Dremel and I was wondering if anyone could post some pictures of exactly what they *do* with their Dremels. Just how versatile is working with a Dremel on rocks, what kind of a setup do you use? I don't see how it would be very effective for slabbing anything, but could you cut, shape a polish a cab out of a pre-cut slab? What kind of carvings do you do? What bits do you use for which parts of the process? I know some of this has been covered already here, but the words aren't getting into my head as easily as a few photos would. :-) Thanks!
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Dremels
Mar 20, 2006 11:08:26 GMT -5
Post by akansan on Mar 20, 2006 11:08:26 GMT -5
Welcome to the board!
You can cut out shapes (like crosses, hearts, etc.) from pre-slabbed rocks using burrs, cut-off wheels and the like. It's a semi-slow process - faster with diamond burrs then with silicon carbide. I've pre-shaped some things that are in the tumbler now, but this is my first batch of pre-shaping, so we'll see.
Another use is to remove funky bumps and pits from otherwise good rocks to speed up the tumbling process.
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Dremels
Mar 21, 2006 4:51:16 GMT -5
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 21, 2006 4:51:16 GMT -5
Hi Wendy, And dont forget to get a flexible drive !!! This allows you to work with the burr in the chuck in the water (on small and delicate work) and if the water gets splashed around the Electric drill is up and away from the water.
Last week I drilled my first stone (under water) with one of these shafts and it worked ok
Jack Yorkshire UK
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