chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Dec 5, 2010 23:49:57 GMT -5
I'm not sure these belong here, but....I've been experementing  ..... I drilled a hole and then wrapped a bail..... what do you guys think? This was my first, a scraped piece of arizona pet wood ( messed up the hole :  )....   Here's a montana agate... little simpler design...  endless possibilities with the wire ends....  Some agate...  and the fancy side....  A piece of jasper... I really like the idea of this one, I just am not thrilled with this particular design...  And my favorite.... another piece of pet wood, I wanted to show as much of the stone as possible... I think I pulled it off  ...  ... and the fancy side....  Well, how'd I do? Chris |
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 6, 2010 1:03:25 GMT -5
Wow--great ideas. I really like all of them, but the last is superb!
Susan
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 6, 2010 5:06:30 GMT -5
Cool idea on those bails |
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greaser
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 201
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Post by greaser on Dec 6, 2010 5:30:08 GMT -5
i like the idea of the holes being in the body of the stone like that looks good.
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Post by NatureNut on Dec 6, 2010 7:38:43 GMT -5
Whoo-whee... cool ideas! You really broke out the skills and braincells (and heart) for these. Jo
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Dec 6, 2010 7:41:36 GMT -5
Not bad at all. A very good idea actually. I like how you gave the bail some flair. If the price of silver keeps going up, groove wrapping, and your method might be the way to go since it uses much less wire. But, regardless of that, making use of different styles/methods is always a good idea. Provides for more variety.
Mike
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Dec 6, 2010 7:57:21 GMT -5
Great idea! I have been toying with the idea of drilling my first holes. How thick are those cabs & how long did it take to drill the hole? What size bit did you use?
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Dec 6, 2010 9:20:23 GMT -5
Great bails!
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 6, 2010 9:39:02 GMT -5
Great idea, I like the Montana and the last one the most.
Adrian
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 6, 2010 10:17:49 GMT -5
Great ideas!
You'll prevent tear-out/break-out if you flip the stone over and drill from the other side right after you've pierced it or almost pierced it (provided the stone is transparent enough for you to see the hole).
Chuck
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dbrealityrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2010
Posts: 1,084
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Post by dbrealityrocks on Dec 6, 2010 14:13:32 GMT -5
great idea!!! looks like a good way to provide less expensive pendants
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amyk
fully equipped rock polisher
I'm a slabber, I'm a cabber, I'm a midnight wrapper.
Member since January 2010
Posts: 1,331
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Post by amyk on Dec 7, 2010 0:05:10 GMT -5
What a great idea. I like them all.
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Post by drocknut on Dec 7, 2010 23:12:46 GMT -5
Those look great. I like the last one the best.
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Post by frane on Dec 8, 2010 11:43:07 GMT -5
Great use of those tumbles! I think I am going to have to break down and finally attempt drilling some time soon. These bails are fantastic!
Fran
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Dec 11, 2010 21:01:12 GMT -5
Wow guys, I'm glad you like them! Yeah, I think the variety will be good. It is also nice to cover all price ranges. I made a few more... I'll post them soon.... Donnie... The thickest stone was a little under 1/4" where I drilled it ( pics 5 and 6 ). Most of them only took a few minutes to drill, the pet wood took about 15 minutes ( two holes and a little carving to get the wire to sit flush ). I'm not sure of the bit size ( it's broke now ), but it was the smallest ( and the second smallest ) bit from a cheap Harbor Freight set. Probably around 1/16" or so. Chuck... Thanks for the tip, I'll try that. Fran... Go ahead and drill away. Start off with some softer stones... The drill will go through them like butter  ... Thanks again, Chris |
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Post by superioragates on Dec 12, 2010 7:57:07 GMT -5
Thats a really cool idea. I like it.
Have been toying myself with making some Laker beads from chips and brokens.....just have not made myself get there yet......may takeawhile to drill one, and not sure I have the patience for it.
These are cool tho......and are making me think about it again!!
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CallMeShane
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2010
Posts: 112
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Post by CallMeShane on Dec 13, 2010 20:28:43 GMT -5
Good stuff ;D I also have done a few wire bails on my drilled stones. I prefer it to a wrapped look actually. I also have the cheap Harbor Freight carving set,The smallest two cylindrical bits are 1&2mm. Things I've learned are that it is indeed best to flip the stone halfway so you don't blow out the other side. Another good idea is to get a permanent marker and mark the reverse while shining a light through the half done hole. Another thing to do is take the small spherical bit in the set and use it to make dimples in the drill site,it helps with skipping and I find leaves a much cleaner edge. The other bits in that kit are good for rough holes,but I believe the grit on all is ~120. So not too great for smoothing. A vendor such as jadecarver.com/DiamondTools.htmor the various others will have a better selection to finish the holes and let you get into making nice channels leading to the edge of the stone and let you get a bail a lil flatter to the stone. The grit selection at Jadecaver seems the best IMO and there are also the other bits/tools if you ever want more. You could also get some of the hard felt buffs there or locally and use paste to bring the finish up on any area you can't cover with the bail design. I've got a small pile of pre-forms I need to drill,most will be top drilled and either have a simple eye screw or sumin a little fancier maybe. Here's a couple vids I posted in the video links, Again,great stuff. Think I'm gonna fiddle with my pile. |
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