electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Feb 16, 2013 1:39:55 GMT -5
I am out to make some holes. I tried searching the boards for about an hour and ended up here anyway. I will be using a dremel and am looking for holes in the range of 1-3mm. I know I need burs to basically make a guide for the bit to dig in to. Which would be easier for a beginner? To use regular diamond bits or diamond core bits?
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Post by kk on Feb 16, 2013 5:00:52 GMT -5
Core-bits are definitely better. But in their absence, ball shaped bits are good too.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 16, 2013 5:37:33 GMT -5
i drill with 1 and 2 mm solid bits from Lasco Tony.Like $2 per bit.Get 10-15 holes per bit for 1/8 thick agates.I drill with rock just in pool of water in shallow tuperware.When the bit goes thru it hits the soft tupperware and stays with out running away and cracking yor rock.I tilt the dremmel and cut a starting notch w/the edge of the drill bit to have a starting hole for the bit to stay in.You can start a spot w/a ball end even better.I'm just too lazy to change bits. The hard part is exiting without chipping the exit hole.You may ask,but i think some people drill first and tumble last to make the hole smooth.My tumblers are to rough and i was wooried about breaking the rock at the hole during tumble. And darker rock will show chips around the drill hole a lot more as that red jasper pic shows. Attachments:
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n8hounder
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 177
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Post by n8hounder on Feb 16, 2013 7:18:23 GMT -5
They have these bits for 20$ a set at harbor freight tools... they last for maybe ohh.. 10 or so small stones like these if you take your time and use water ,either in a bole or dripping focet. The bole has a way of making a mess if you touch the water with the dremel ..like I always do a few times.. and never had much trouble with chipping ,just got to be careful. Attachments:
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Feb 16, 2013 22:40:25 GMT -5
I do as James said by submerging the rock in a tupperware dish but I use a small piece of wood underneath the rock. This gives it backup to help prevent blowouts when going through and you don`t poke any holes in the dish accidently. The same method is used in woodworking.
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Feb 17, 2013 9:31:58 GMT -5
Cool I'll remember to back the rocks when I drill. I am going to buy some bits and burs and the kit from harbor freight to get started as soon as I can. The brakes on my truck went out yesterday so my money this time around is being spent there. Sucks but that is life. lol Thanks everyone for the input and as always I am open to more suggestions or advice.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 17, 2013 10:43:02 GMT -5
Look up DMC ZS8 camera Tony.That one or cheaper DMC will take care of your close up photos.Go to Best Buys and let the counter sales people give ya a 'what it can do'.I want to get another one but a cheaper one i can take to the bush but still do cloes up.My DMC is one of the first and has hardly any paint left from abuse.Tough camera.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Feb 18, 2013 11:37:05 GMT -5
I've heard the core bits are better because they don't get as hot (water can get in the center) so the diamonds last longer (don't get glazed, and the glue that holds them on doesn't heat up and drop them) -- at least, that's what I *think* I learned -- someone correct me if I'm wrong on why getting hot is bad. Also, if you think of the bit as a cylinder, a solid one has the center point which isn't really scraping any rock, only the outside moving parts are. That's what I've heard anyway. I got a set of core bits from Rio, and drilled one rock, and the core worked fine. So from my vast experience, of drilling through one (soft) cab, I'd say go with the core bits. FWIW.
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blackout5783
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 248
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Post by blackout5783 on Feb 18, 2013 14:54:59 GMT -5
I've been using the 1mm solid diamond bits from Kingsley in a small drill press, but I've been having issues. Yesterday I probably drilled around 15 holes, and all of them blew out the back. I also had 1 bit completely shed its diamond coating and another snapped in half.
Clearly I'm doing something wrong, so whatever it is, don't do that!
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Feb 18, 2013 15:45:47 GMT -5
;D I'll try to not do that lol I think I'm going to the core bits and the bur kit from Rio. That will give me a chance to try both. But it's all going to have to wait a couple weeks now as I had some unexpected expenses this weekend. Thank you everyone for your input.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Feb 18, 2013 23:04:46 GMT -5
Tony use a round burr at the slowest speed of your Dremel to make a divot in the rock to keep the bit from walking on the surface before drilling. And core bits work best because of the cooling of the bit and the way it clears the waste you have drilled through. I usually run my core bits at about 15,000 rpm. Then use a bumping action to drill for 1 second then let up and withdraw the bit to clear debris then drill again. Keeping the bit cool dictates how long they will last.
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Feb 18, 2013 23:28:46 GMT -5
Thanx for the idea on what speed to use. That was going to be one of my next questions. I'm hoping to get more than 2 drills out of each bit to start out. lol I'm sure I can manage that at least. If not maybe 2 bits per hole. ;D
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 19, 2013 8:57:45 GMT -5
The solid wire drills are flat on the end not pointed so they grind OK. Susan you are right about keeping them cool to keep the diamonds on. When people ask how many holes they can get per drill I tell them 3-4 holes with first drill, 4-5 with second. After 5-6 drills they will last longer but it isn't the drills that get better. I've heard the "Tripple Ripple Drills" are very good too.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Feb 22, 2013 22:56:31 GMT -5
Triple Ripple was the first bits I used. Bought them at local rock shop. Being my first bits they got burned up pretty quick. Two bits on first hole! After I got better they turned out to be darn good bits. I don`t know if there is anything unique about them though. I have the same luck with the no-name bits they have there. One other tip is to insert the shaft of the bit as far into the dremel as you can and still penetrate the rock and just a little past it. It gives the shaft less room to flex under pressure. The small bits will bend under a load especially when trying to start the hole.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 23, 2013 10:19:49 GMT -5
Try drilling as if wallowing-keep the drill slanted a bit in all directions up to 20 degrees off vertical.Hard on the wrist but great drill life w/solid 1mm Lasco bits.Got be in water and 10-15,000 RPM The edge of the bit does the cutting.The center has to kinda break away.Ends up making a conical hole.I get 10-20 holes everytime in hard agates...Oh,ave 1/8 to 3/16 deep. I use my cheap flex shaft,the type w/the motor dangling. It is mo no to no us process :>
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2013 16:32:56 GMT -5
I have not seen it mentioned but you have to use the up and down motion. two or three seconds down and two or three seconds up to keep from burning the bit even if you are drilling under water.
If you have a bad blow out you can use a large ball end burr to smooth the hole and it looks like it was planed that way. Jim
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Post by MrP on Feb 23, 2013 16:54:56 GMT -5
I mark the spot I want to drill with this. www.amazon.com/Pentel-Permanent-M....31772052&sr=8-1I drill with these. www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=46570&catID=1030I use this in the water. They used to sell it by the quart. Looks like it is by the Gal now. www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=87802&catID=112I use a handheld Dermal to drill with. I have a 4" X 6" 1" deep dish. I have a thick piece of Obsidian on the bottom that I lay the cab on, this helps for blowouts. Not all cabs are flat so it isn't perfect but does work well on most of them. I have drilled thousands of holes and found that the Lubri - Kool is a must. Also using the Obsidian helps with sharpening the drill bit. A lot of times when the bit doesn't want to drill just put it on the Obsidian, with a light touch, and it will drill again......sometimes. As far as how many cabs can be drilled with a bit, it depends on the material, but even some that usually drill easy most of the time may give you a problem the next time and visa a versa. I have drilled as many as 50 cabs, of all different types, with 1 bit and have also used 4 bits for 1 hole. Most of the time it is 10 - 20 cabs with a bit. Sure wish the holes could be drilled in seconds instead of minutes..............MrP Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=mrp#ixzz2LlHNZNCE
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 23, 2013 17:14:39 GMT -5
Never thought about using oil.Great idea.
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