learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 10, 2011 7:59:28 GMT -5
I'm just getting into tumbling. My wife is into Troll/Pandora beads. I thought maybe if I find a rock about the right size and shape, it would be fun to drill it and make a bead for her. Some questions...
What kind of drill bit? I would assume some sort of diamond? I usually by stuff like that on eBay. I think it needs to be about 1/8" to 3/16".
What can I use to drive the bit? I've got a shop drill press but also a Dremel.
Do I need a lubricant/coolant?
Finally, do I drill before or after polishing?
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 10, 2011 8:48:32 GMT -5
Diamond "wire drills". Most common bead hole drills are 1.5mm or 2 mm. If you want to use big cord, hole has to be bigger. Dremel will work if you have a keyless chuck. Small drill presses will work if chuck adjusts to zero. Drill with stone submerged in water. Oil actually would work better but would be messy. Polish after and you will have polish in the hole. Polish before and you may have dull spot around hole. Also, use a "pecking motion" and light pressure. There should be many drilling posts if you search.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Mar 10, 2011 10:00:40 GMT -5
What John said and as a side note ...it ain't quick! Patience must reign supreme when drilling stone. A bowl large enough to hold (both) the coolant and a pair of vice grips to hold the stone steady are easy to work with and vice in the bowl would be ideal for the drill press. And posting pix is a must too! Dr Joe .
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lloyd1wv
starting to shine!
Member since December 2010
Posts: 47
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Post by lloyd1wv on Mar 10, 2011 10:01:30 GMT -5
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 10, 2011 10:24:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips.
Of course, I just pulled the trigger on a $150 order from RS yesterday. I usually look to eBay for when I need just one item as shipping is real cheap
But, I didn't see any larger bits. I think I'm needed about 3.5-4mm to fit the Pandora bead cord.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 10, 2011 10:32:00 GMT -5
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 10, 2011 15:54:28 GMT -5
You may need to find small core drills. They start around that size and would chuck up in your drill press with no problem. Jim Barzee has a great but too long video on drilling. He advertises in Rock & Gem under "Marzee Tutorials". All of his videos are professionally done and include instructions as well as real time demonstration. You feel like you are standing by him in his shop observing.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 10, 2011 17:59:46 GMT -5
I'm sorry but if you're talking Pandora, Biaggi, Troll or Chamilla, the holes are 4.5 to 5 mm. You can drill them smaller, but then you need to make sure the bracelets are smaller. There are some 2.5mm bracelets being sold, especially the Biaggi and Pandora leather ones. As to drilling the beads, it's not really very difficult. I use a 4.5mm bit that I bought off ebay. First I start with a 1mm, then 2mm, then the 4.5. I have a "bead clamp" and that sits on a small piece of wood, in a tupperware type big square bowl I bought at Dollar Tree. I pour water over it, making sure it's completely covered. Use my Dremel and flex shaft so I never have to have the electrical parts near water. I've never taken a photo of me using it, but have posted photos of all my gear here somewhere in the past. Here are some Troll and Chamilla style beads I did for a bracelet for my wife: To me they are fun to make, I hold them gently and let them spin slowly on my flat lap, The were tumbled first though. Then flatten each side, then use a 6mm diamond burr to round out the whole and drill through with the sizes I mentioned above. I was putting out about a dozen a week, working on them in evenings. Must have 30 or 40 still sitting around. Here's three of the kits I use that I bought off ebay: These three kits, plus a 6 blade diamond cutting kit, cost me a total of $34. Great price! Also, I keep my flex shaft head rubber banned in a plastic bag, just the tool piece sticking out. I drill and cut under water, that way I don't wear my bits down fast. Only issue with that is the smokiness of the water, it goes murky really quick. Bigger the bowl to drill in the easier it is to drill. I do this sitting right at my desk, a $3700 solid oak monster, so you can be sure I'm not splashing water everywhere. I learned "slow and easy" from Ken's suggestions over the past couple years....
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Mar 10, 2011 20:59:30 GMT -5
I would love to buy some of those beads if you still have some around. I have a Pandora bracelet.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 10, 2011 21:42:13 GMT -5
Great tips chromenut. Those drill and grinder sets, are they all diamond?
I want to know what to look for on eBay.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 11, 2011 2:16:28 GMT -5
The pink set (top right) is obviously not diamond, but the others are. Some of my stuff I buy from Hobby Tool Supply, however the majority of my items, and the two diamond sets shown in my picture, are from THK Diamond Tools. Now I know there is a lost of angst about buying from China, but THK has provided me with some really great items at deep discount prices. @ blr2449 - I have somewhere between 2000 and 2500 Pandora, Biaggi, Chamilla and Troll pendants and beads. I make Pandora style jewelry all the time. Most I buy from a friend of mine in Italy who I was stationed with for several years. He retired back to Italy after we got out of the Air Force and we've stayed in contact ever since. I get the pendants and beads, well the one's I don't make, at a pretty good discount, so if you're interested, PM or email me what you like and I'll get some photos together for you to look at. See below, literally, +2000 !!!
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 11, 2011 2:23:16 GMT -5
Couple of my creations for my very spoiled wife: One I had the most fun, but frustrating time creating with hematite: Oh, sorry for the thread-jack!
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 11, 2011 5:18:19 GMT -5
Hi Here is a link to a drilling tutorial forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=trtphoto&action=display&thread=35856Here is another Ops sorry it seems to have disapeared I find using a ordanary DIY drill lenthens the life of the dimond drill 4 or five times Used in a drill press , the other tutorial used to stick the rock to a wall tile for support to stop break through damage Pandora The hole needed is 5mm or 5.5 mm Here is a link to some Pandora beads I made out of silver for my Daughters Drilling is a slow job But i prefer the Diy drill to my Dremel HS drill everytime for drilling rocks Jack Yorkshire uk
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 11, 2011 7:43:21 GMT -5
What do you mean by "ordanary DIY drill "?
DIY us usally Do-It-Yourself and I assume you meant "ordinary". Do you mean use a regular drill instead of a dremel?
I do have a medium-large drill press, much slower RPM than a dremel. I also have a mini dress-press attachment for my dremel although it is not very precise.
Again, thanks for the tips; this is all great stuff. Oh, and I buy RC airplane parts direct from China all the time so I'm used to the "drill" of paying very small $ and waiting 7-14 days for stuff.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 12, 2011 4:34:19 GMT -5
Hi DIY drill,- - -
Yes that is correct a regular household drill ,
The slowerer RPM helps in keeping the heat down and with the up down drilling saves the Dimond tip in my oppinion
In a drill press make sure you dont excert to much pressure on the bit and be carefull at break through
Drill in a dish under water
I also use the chinese drills and the same shaping bit set that Chromnut has above
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 14, 2011 21:08:51 GMT -5
all good advice. I would recommend core drills instead of drilling with multiple sizes. Especially on 1.25 or 1.5 mm, the core drill will not break while sometimes 1.25mm wire drill will break. Usually only the 1mm and .75mm really break a lot, but I also find core drills faster.
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