181lizard
Cave Dweller 
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
|
Post by 181lizard on Apr 20, 2006 11:55:22 GMT -5
Hey Yall,
So I bow to everyones greater knowledge.
I'm starting to play with jewelry. (please! All of my clothes remain intact!) I have Firemountains catalog and while they have a fantastic selection all in one place...I'm finding other places have lower prices on any given item.
Has anyone else found sites with significantly lower prices?
Sedona stones seems to have some greatly discounted items when compared with Firemountain, but their selection is limited.
I'm gonna need all different types of things from pearls to findings to chains to wire to...you get the picture! Any help & info would be greatly appreciated.
Then, next question:
I want to be able to drill holes in assorted small items like small tumbled rocks, shells & small cabs. What do you think is the best system for this. For me, time is my deciding factor. I would like to bypass alot of the experimenting & go directly to whatever seems to have worked for the rest of you.
I think I have a drill press in storage, brand new in box. (auction buy) Don't know what kind or anything about it. Will this work? and what kind of bits? What about a dremel? I don't know...sure is alot of stuff to have to make up my mind about. I would rather hear what everyone has to say then go get what's needed than buy a bunch of stuff, find it doesn't work, set it to the side & buy more. (husband probably would be happier too! I'm already hearing "What are you going to do with all these rocks? How many more rocks are you going to get?") I know...you've all heard it before.
So, please advise!
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193 on Apr 20, 2006 12:13:30 GMT -5
A small drill like a Dremmel, and its small drill press optional holder, might be good. I think if a thin diamond drill was used with even my bench top drill press, it would be too much machine behind too little drill. But, I guess you could also do it by hand for small flat pieces by having a flex-shaft attachment.  Link to buyYou might also want something called a bead vise I have seen on some sites.  Links to buy: scroll to bottom for viseone for pearls |
|
gemmaster
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 281
|
Post by gemmaster on Apr 20, 2006 14:05:45 GMT -5
check out ultrasonic drill equipment google that see what comes up.the dremel doesnot have the toirque for anything other than light drilling, a foredom or other flexshaft is better but still is a adrudgery to drill hard rock with.the primitive footpowered drill is still in use in india,etc, especially rural areas but ultrasonics are king in the worlds gemcutting centers. good luck. gemmaster
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193 on Apr 20, 2006 14:27:57 GMT -5
But Tuell - Those ultrasonic mills and drills cost tens of thousands of dollars. I have not seen a hobbiest or small shop version even for under $1000. The choice here is dremel vs Foredom, flexshaft vs drill press. I think the Foredorm wear better, but both the unit and the press is a bit more. Covington sells special drill presses for less than $300, but they clearly say soft to medium gem material, so shells yes - agate not so much. The dremel may give the best overall combination of multiple suppliers, available parts, drill press and flex shaft options, bit sets for other purposes like grinding, carving, and cutting ... etc. If you spend a bit more and go with Foredom, they have drill press gizmos too. Lopacki sell them, I am sure others too. lopacki.com/foredom/accessories/ |
|
Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Terry664 on Apr 20, 2006 17:26:34 GMT -5
LIz, I just started using www.jewelrysupply.com, I think there prices are very good and have a good selection of everything, plus items, I never heard of. terry |
|
gemmaster
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 281
|
Post by gemmaster on Apr 20, 2006 18:15:41 GMT -5
there is a new thread on general board that lists a site that drills stones for you with ultrasonic and lots of info on drilling the title drilling stones submitted for consideration.collet hand pieces hold bit s better tha keyed chucks,just my experience. gemmaster
|
|
|
|
Post by krazydiamond on Apr 20, 2006 18:59:01 GMT -5
i still get a lot of stuff from Firemountain, mainly because of the "one stop shop-a-bility", they do great shipping and correct their mistakes when they make them. Rio Grande is up market, and tends to offer some quality stuff that you just can't find anywhere else. i've noticed (and taken advantage of ) Kinglsey North has a lot of the same stuff for much cheaper than either of the aforementioned. i got my drill press from Micro-Mark, similar to this model: www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81631however, we did have to customize a special jig for diamond drilling underwater (aka meatloaf tin technology):  i buy my drill bits from cyberrockhound, but i matched the drill size to the findings i'd bought at Firemountain. i've been through the trail and error phaze, Liz, so i'm more than happy to help you with any other questions... KD |
|
181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
|
Post by 181lizard on Apr 21, 2006 12:04:47 GMT -5
Tuell, Daniel, Terry & KD,
Thank you all bunches for the info! Holy Cow! Just when ya think the next step is gonna be easy...WHAM!
I took a look at all the stuff everyone told me about drills etc. I'm thinking a dremel with the drill press attachement might be the way to go for me. I'm starting out pretty simply because I'm learning as I'm going. Like I said...small stones to drill through and such. Before I actually buy a dremel...is there a certain size of motor I should be looking at? or are they all of standard size?
Also...haven't I read where someone uses a dremel to preshape their rocks prior to tumbling? I'm thinking that would be great to try too!
So...while I wait for more answers to above, I'm gonna go visit the other websites you all told me about.
Thanks everyone...Liz
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193 on Apr 21, 2006 12:32:29 GMT -5
Liz -
Being able to preshape stones is what I meant by grinding attachments. If you get a Dremel with a flexshaft and a drill press holder, you could dril holes, or use barious diamond burr bits to cut, carve, or just plain grind the stone before tumbling.
I think that to date all of Cher's shaping has been done with a Dremel.
I can't advise about motor size, other than to suggest you don't get the weakest. But, I think that variable speed or multiple speed settings might be a very useful feature.
|
|
rockhard
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 227
|
Post by rockhard on Apr 22, 2006 2:20:28 GMT -5
If you're going to get a Dremel drill press, be sure to look at what models it will hold. The press will come with adapters for other models, but the one I tried didn't seem as stable, and I lost that stupid adapter after about a week anyway :/
Fortunately my main dremel was one of the models listed and fits without an adapter. If I ever get them out of storage.
|
|
