braat
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 350
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Post by braat on Sept 15, 2017 20:30:52 GMT -5
Is it better to drill holes before you tumble or after?
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Post by Pat on Sept 15, 2017 20:39:10 GMT -5
Depends, but I would drill the hole after the rock had been tumbled. The location of the hole prior to tumbling may not exist after tumbling! I'm not a tumbler.
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 15, 2017 21:11:28 GMT -5
I would do before. The surface may be too rounded and slick to drill the stone easily after polishing.
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Post by Peruano on Sept 16, 2017 6:56:53 GMT -5
I hate drilling holes in stones that I have major time invested in. That's because its not unheard of to break a stone when drilling. Drill in the preform and if you break it, less disappointment. True its harder to predict where that hole will be after you tumble it, but in the vibratory tumbler, dimensions don't change that much unless your stone has weak spots (read turitella here).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2017 21:25:11 GMT -5
I hate drilling holes in stones that I have major time invested in. That's because its not unheard of to break a stone when drilling. Drill in the preform and if you break it, less disappointment. True its harder to predict where that hole will be after you tumble it, but in the vibratory tumbler, dimensions don't change that much unless your stone has weak spots (read turitella here). To sum up the excellent advise above. I would rough the stone and before you move to the next stages (that won't change shape much) drill the stone, then finish the final steps. Hope I was helpful. All the best! braat
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Post by youp50 on Sept 19, 2017 2:25:14 GMT -5
I think what matters is the final product you desire.
I have an exquisite desert Jasper tumble that will be drilled and cut after it had been tumbled. I did not notice how nice it was prior to finish. The end product will be a pendant.
I just opened a piece of blue Botswana agate. Nicely banded, dark blue fading to a royal purple center, free of fractures. It should make nice ear dangles. To minimize the chance of blow out, I will drill prior to slicing, roughing, and tumbling.
I generally agree with others on drilling to minimize disappointment, sometimes a tumbled stone shows a certain beauty I missed prior to finishing. Haste on my part, deal with it, or glue on a finding. After you break one, you are sorry the glue option wasn't used.
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 26, 2017 12:30:38 GMT -5
Our club just bought an ultrasonic drill that we are going to provide to the Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA for their classroom. I have been playing with it trying to get the best performance that I can. I'm going to be demonstrating it at our general meeting next Sunday, Oct 1. It will be a hands on experience for any members who want to try drilling a stone. A very interesting machine! Bob
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Sept 26, 2017 15:43:17 GMT -5
I'd love to see how the ultrasonic drill works. Is anyone aware of a site where I might see and learn more? Thanks!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 26, 2017 15:51:49 GMT -5
I'd love to see how the ultrasonic drill works. Is anyone aware of a site where I might see and learn more? Thanks! Highland park has a couple of videos and a lot more showed up on YouTube when I did a search. Here’s one of the Highland Park videos.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Sept 26, 2017 16:11:35 GMT -5
Thanks Rob! I apologize for being so lazy that I asked rather than did my own search. You, my friend, are the kind of folks that make this site so great! Thanks again.
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