mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Apr 27, 2014 15:07:41 GMT -5
I get lots of requests to drill holes in some of the polished slabs I sell. To date I have declined, as the only time I have ever tried it was not very encouraging. So, say I wanted to drill a 1/16" or 1/8" hole in an agate slab. What would you recommend for equipment, drills, etc? As this is a business, time is of the essence, cost is less important.
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Apr 27, 2014 15:17:48 GMT -5
I use a Dremel with a flex shaft and round burr diamond bits (Ebay, 30 of them in about any size you're looking for, around $8 from THK Diamond). I find polished agates to be the most troublesome - i.e. the bit sometimes likes to go skipping across the surface. Eek. What I've found lately is that if I make a little guide with my finger tips, and then just take the drill away to dip/cool in water every few seconds, I can get a fairly clean hole. It doesn't take long, but don't try to force it in a rush... that's when the skipping seem to occur for me.  |
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 27, 2014 17:01:25 GMT -5
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Post by radio on Apr 27, 2014 19:28:28 GMT -5
If you can afford it, a foredom flex shaft is the best way going! Dremel's are high speed and almost no torque, so they either bog down or the rpm has to be crazy high to compensate and that can lead to bur failure if you are not very careful. A Foredom has tons of torque, so holes can be drilled at low speeds which generates very little heat. This is why they are the hands down choice of those who do serious carving
I started with a Dremel, but after getting the Foredom it was like daylight and dark!
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 27, 2014 19:32:06 GMT -5
carving is different from drilling. my flexshaft and burrs have a place. so does the drill press. the core bits are affordable and last a long time.
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gerard
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 218
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Post by gerard on Apr 28, 2014 0:25:39 GMT -5
I have not tried this with cabs, yet, but long ago I set tile and to drill holes for plumbing fixtures I would clamp to the tile a wooden guide with a pre-drilled hole the same diameter as the hole I wanted to drill in the tile. It kept the bit from walking and damaging the tile face. The same thing should be able to be done with smaller holes in cabs. After reading this thread I think i will have to try my own suggestion. I just have to figure out how to keep the template clamped to the cab.
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Apr 28, 2014 10:12:06 GMT -5
One of these days I'm going to have to upgrade to the Foredom. But the Dremel has served me well, especially since most of my rock-holes are glued up and never seen. So they don't have to be perfect. So here's my question to add to this all... I've tried core bits, and while I like them, I find they get filled up with the core debris and it's super hard to get them back out. I have a thin 'poker' to clean them, but sometimes they get gummed up after one hole and I lose the bit. Especially the tiny ones. Some other trick?? |
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