jukerocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 154
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Post by jukerocks on Apr 14, 2012 21:39:26 GMT -5
Does anyone use a dremel for shaping your rocks before tumbling them? Also, can you use a dremel with diamond drilling bits?
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 15, 2012 7:00:18 GMT -5
You can use either diamond mini wheels or the slitter discs for shaping or any burs for that matter. If you have a keyless chuck or small colletts you can hold the tiny diamond drills. If you drill a lot you will eventually want a small drill press.
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Post by helens on Apr 16, 2012 19:48:57 GMT -5
Dang Juke, I keep checking this thread hoping someone who does it regularly pops in to answer this, because I'd like to know too:).
Shaping rocks with a dremel would take a VERY long time... you'd ideally rough form the cabs with a saw and cabbing machine.
I too was hoping someone would pop in with a shortcut:P.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 16, 2012 20:30:29 GMT -5
yes a dremel can be used to pre shape/smooth - its just very slow going I started with a dremel, then upgraded to a foredom. They make mini diamond polishing discs that need to be used under a water drip. I have cabbed many an opal and fire agate that way. Its a lot slower than a cabbing machine but it works. these are the diamond discs I started with www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=97082&catID=183I now use an inland system |
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Post by helens on Apr 16, 2012 20:36:55 GMT -5
Yep... and Diane is the PRO at carving little jewel like carvings too, with the best advice!!! (I still think a dremel will take way too long to preform every piece of a tumble tho)
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 16, 2012 20:41:16 GMT -5
Thanks Helen!  Back then I used my 4" tile saw to preform, the thick tile cutting blade works good at removing a lot of material and shaping. |
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 16, 2012 20:56:43 GMT -5
Maybe I misread the question. I thought the pre shaping was grinding out flaws before tumbling.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Apr 17, 2012 7:21:59 GMT -5
I thought the question was about prepping for the tumbler as well. In which case, my answer is that I'm doing a lot of pre shaping on the grinding wheel. We got the drill press that comes for the Dremel, to drill a basic hole in stone before tumbling, but I think we are using a different drill press now. You are probably not going to do a LOT of carving with a Dremel before you toss it in the tumbler...If you don't have a grinding wheel but you have a club (and can ignore club politics) then is it possible to build up a stash of to-be-tumbles and then book a day on the grinding wheel at the club to get your stones ready for the tumbler?
Oh yeah, Diamond drill bits. Yes, of course, you can use Diamond drill bits in your Dremel. We have. Didn't think it was anything unusual or odd but maybe Peachfront is unusual and odd, ha ha!!! You drill with the stone secured underwater...there's a thread somewhere a nice person put photos of the process.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Apr 17, 2012 7:43:34 GMT -5
 Not sure if I should open a new thread or just post these here in response to the Original Post...Is this the kind of project you're asking about? Very basic designs, some with holes drilled for easy casual pendants, that may be prepped on the wheel or otherwise by hand to get the basic shapes but then finished in the tumbler? These came out of the tumbler this month. Some examples-- Drilled hole (a Mexican crazy lace)  Puzzle piece/freeform shape:  Sorry these photos a little blurry, as I posted in haste whilst having my morning coffee... |
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