HeefageLA
starting to shine!
Member since October 2013
Posts: 28 
|
Post by HeefageLA on Aug 24, 2015 10:13:43 GMT -5
Hello rocks gods!
Ive tumbling rocks for a few years now and have really gotten the hang of it.
Now im to the point where I need to unload some of the smaller rocks that I have polished.
I have the idea to drill holes in the rocks to use as beads for making jewelry.
I purchased some 3.5mm cheap 'core bits' from Kingsley North to try, but they didn't fare too well.
In fact, two bits didn't even make it through one rock!
What I need to know is how to go about drilling these holes...
Any advice or info is very much appreciated !
Thank you.
|
|
booboo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2014
Posts: 147
|
Post by booboo on Aug 24, 2015 10:52:11 GMT -5
hi...not a rock god  but I use a dremel tool with diamond drill bits....I use a lot of water when drilling thru the piece ( I actually partially submerge the piece i'm drilling in water) being careful not to drill too long (mebbe 5 -10 secs) nor use too much pressure....good luck and don't forget to post pics!!! joe |
|
HeefageLA
starting to shine!
Member since October 2013
Posts: 28
|
Post by HeefageLA on Aug 24, 2015 11:14:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply.
I have one drill bit left and ill try the water submersion and taking it real slow.
How do you secure your stones so they don't move around?
|
|
|
|
Post by cobbledstones on Aug 24, 2015 22:30:08 GMT -5
heat is the enemy. You need to keep everything cool. Drilling generates heat. The deeper the hole, the harder it is to cool the bit. If your bits are burning up, you can slow the rpms, decrease the pressure, or decrease the contact time before drawing your bit back to cool. On my tougher drilling jobs I put the stones in the freezer before drilling and submerge in an ice water bath while drilling.
Clamping/holding the stone is the toughest bit. They make a plastic that becomes pliable when put in boiling water and hardens as it cools (available at fire mountain) you could use this to make a flat seat for the drill press. For small items I just hold with my fingers. It ensures that you don't use too much pressure. Be forewarned, I used sharp point bit for a while, but I don't anymore after getting a nasty puncture wound on my holding hand.
Bottom line, stay cool, be patient, drilling takes time.
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Aug 24, 2015 23:48:58 GMT -5
I've drilled slabs and some tumbled stones using a pulsating motion with a diamond bit, aubmerged to keep down heat and dust. It takes FOREVER on harder stuff and if you push too hard it breaks or blows out the back.
Probably the right way, and I can't afford to do it, is to use an ultrasonic drill, but they start at several thousand and go up from there.
|
|
|
|
Post by MrP on Aug 25, 2015 4:24:27 GMT -5
herchenx is right. An ultrasonic drill is the way to go if you are drilling many holes through thicker material. Yes they are a lot of money so you can buy a lot of drill bits for that kind of money. I have found the Crystalite Triple Ripple Drills from Kingsley North are the best drill bits. I know they are spendy also, but I have found them to be the best buy because they last the best. Drilling holes in rock is not cheap or easy..............MrP
|
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Aug 25, 2015 7:29:52 GMT -5
I made about 240 puddingstone beads from pudding stone last year. These were tumbled saw scraps, so they were less than a quarter inch thick. I used a Dremmel with the drill press accessory and drilled in a Tupperware type sandwich box full of water. I move the drill up and down every second or two. I was only using 1 mm bits from Kingsley, the ones that only cost about a buck each. Some lasted for one rock and others lasted for a dozen or so. To prevent blowout, I drilled from both sides. To line up the holes, I drilled a small hole in a board and inserted an old drill bit. I cut the old bit so it only stuck out about 1/8 of an inch or maybe less. Then I'd drill the rock about halfway through. I'd then position the board and old bit so that the drill press drill aligned with it, I'd place the half drilled stone upside down on the cut off bit. Then I could just drill the rest of the way through. I held everything by hand and didnt have a problem. I just tried this same method last night with a 5mm bit. Instead of using an old bit, I used a small dowel in the board the rock rested on. Since this was a core bit, I had to continue drilling until the core broke off. This rock was a natural beach stone and I was drilling near the edge, so the rock was more rounded and tippy. It worked ok, but the holes weren't perfectly aligned. It was good enough for what I was doing, but I'll be more careful aligning on the next one. There was no blowout though! Puddingstone beads |
|
HeefageLA
starting to shine!
Member since October 2013
Posts: 28
|
Post by HeefageLA on Aug 27, 2015 10:33:25 GMT -5
Thanks guys for great ideas and replies.
Ill be ordering the Dremel Drill Press accessory tomorrow as ive been eyeing for some time anyways.
I have two more of the 'el cheapo diamond bits from Kingsley.
Ill try Jugglerguy's method with a tuperware dish with water along with the drill press.
Thanks again for advice!
|
|
but I use a dremel tool with diamond drill bits....I use a lot of water when drilling thru the piece ( I actually partially submerge the piece i'm drilling in water) being careful not to drill too long (mebbe 5 -10 secs) nor use too much pressure....good luck and don't forget to post pics!!!
