milfordman
starting to shine!
Member since August 2004
Posts: 32
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Post by milfordman on Jan 9, 2005 14:58:07 GMT -5
Hi All,
I've been trying to drill holes in my polished stones with my Michigan Rocks Drill Set up.
I've tried drilling holes between 3/4mm and 2mm and have had a hard time getting the drill to not "dance" on the stone.
Is there a tool or technique I could use to make a "dimple" on the stone for the drill bit to be able to start easier?
Thanks for your guidance in advance,
Scott
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Jan 9, 2005 16:14:41 GMT -5
Hey Scott, that's a tough problem. I use a piece of tungsten carbide ground to a needle point. That is harder than any of my rocks so it will make an indentation for the drill to start. I have my tungsten carbide as a leftover from when I worked. I don't know where you'd get anything like that now.
The only other advice I can give, is to be VERY, VERY careful when you let the diamond drill touch the rock for the first time. All you want it to do is just barely touch the rock before you raise it. It doesn't take much to get the drill to center, just about any scratch of the surface will do it.
Ron
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 9, 2005 16:37:53 GMT -5
i have a little hardened steel "drill guide" plate that i use with my vise, but it is a custom piece that my better half designed. and i STILL have to be very light handed until the bit gets a start. sorry i can't be of more help, KD
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Jan 9, 2005 16:47:07 GMT -5
Hey KD, your hubby done well. That is a very well thought out fixture. There is nothing like it available to buy in the marketplace. As you've found out, a drill guide bushing isn't totally effective with diamond drills. I have one as well and never use it. Only really effective help is to be able to make a starter indent just like you would do with a nail punch in metal.
Ron
ps. I'm still jealous of what your hubby made you!
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 9, 2005 19:16:49 GMT -5
meatloaf tin technology! the advantages of being married to an engineer. all i have to do is describe what i need one of (in detail) and he can pretty much make one. next version will have a drain plug hole, cuz right now i have to scoop out the water when i'm done.
apart from the meatloaf tin (and screw handles) the rest of the jig is aluminium so it doesn't leave marks on the stones.
it is married to X-Y table on Micro Mark Drill Press. it does have it's limits and we are working on a more rock friendly jig.
thanks,
KD
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Post by docone31 on Jan 9, 2005 22:01:45 GMT -5
I stick to my copper wire and grit. I place the stone in clay, and make a well out of clay. I fill this with water and 60/90 grit. I run the wire through the grit and using light pressure drill bringing the piece of wire out of the grit and going back in. I hardened the wire by drawing it through a draw plate. It starts slowly and once it gets going, the wire also wears. the hole does not exceed the diameter of the wire except for the 1/2 grit embed. diamonds, fawget about it. Old school is good school.
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Jan 10, 2005 7:01:39 GMT -5
meatloaf tin technology! the advantages of being married to an engineer. all i have to do is describe what i need one of (in detail) and he can pretty much make one. Hey KD, my problem isn't knowing what to make, it's not having any of the shop tools to make it with. It was nice when I worked and had access to a machine shop. Ron
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