saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Oct 31, 2018 7:14:27 GMT -5
Pre-thanks to everyone for the help. So - I'm using a 7'' tile saw for pre-shaping *some* of my tumbles  . As winter approaches, I will do less, but I do want to continue to grind flaws out of my rocks throughout stage 1. I have not used a dremel yet. I have a nice handheld dremel, but I can not seem to find the correct bits etc to do rock grinding. Can someone specifically suggest some links to purchase the correct bits for rock grinding imperfections? Also - how do you hold the dremel while doing so? Some of the rocks are so tiny, they heat up and get too hot to handle so to speak. Do some of you have a different physical setup with the dremel / rock holding device? Thanks, Grant |
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Post by fernwood on Oct 31, 2018 7:34:59 GMT -5
I use a Dremel for cutting, shaping and cabbing. No links to specific bits, but I use the diamond wheels for cutting, heavy duty green grinders for shaping. Then use a whetstone and hand held diamond files for more shaping, depending on hardness of rock.
The Dremel is secured in a shop vice. I wrap the handle in closed core foam to prevent damage.
Have a drip system, utilizing aquarium supplies. I made a shield of sorts to prevent water spray from damaging the Dremel. Pretty simple. A plastic cottage cheese container.
As of now, the rocks/cabs are held by hand, with a dop stick, or, if very small, in hemostats or vice grips. I wrap the same foam core material around them to prevent damage to the rock.
Am sure have more refined ways of doing this.
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
|
Post by saxplayer on Oct 31, 2018 7:37:49 GMT -5
I use a Dremel for cutting, shaping and cabbing. No links to specific bits, but I use the diamond wheels for cutting, heavy duty green grinders for shaping. Then use a whetstone and hand held diamond files for more shaping, depending on hardness of rock. The Dremel is secured in a shop vice. I wrap the handle in closed core foam to prevent damage. Have a drip system, utilizing aquarium supplies. I made a shield of sorts to prevent water spray from damaging the Dremel. Pretty simple. A plastic cottage cheese container. As of now, the rocks/cabs are held by hand, with a dop stick, or, if very small, in hemostats or vice grips. I wrap the same foam core material around them to prevent damage to the rock. Am sure have more refined ways of doing this. I can not find any of these bits locally. Do you by chance have an example? |
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Post by fernwood on Oct 31, 2018 7:41:05 GMT -5
Still too dark here to take photos, but will try to get some later today. The green stone grinders came with a $20.00 bit kit. The kit also contained many polishing bits and spare pieces. The diamond cutting wheels were purchased at Fleet Farm.
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Post by manofglass on Oct 31, 2018 7:45:54 GMT -5
jadecarver.com
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Post by Pat on Oct 31, 2018 8:48:49 GMT -5
Yes, Dave Clayton has everything for carving. He is a jade carver, faceter and dealer at shows and online. Re your Dremel, get the flex shaft attachment, so you don't have to hold the heavy motor. Foredoms last longer than Dremels, and are more expensive. When reshaping rocks, you must use water to lubricate and to cool. Your fingers will not get hot. I'm not a tumbler, but have done some carving. Good luck! |
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Post by grumpybill on Oct 31, 2018 9:02:50 GMT -5
Harbor Freight's diamond rotary bit sets are inexpensive (use a coupon) and decent quality. I use these with a Dremel router table for cutting groves for groove wrapping: diamond-rotary-cutting-discsI've mainly used the drills and cone-shaped bits from this set: diamond-point-rotary-bit-setI use these mainly in my Foredom rather than Dremel. You'll need to get a 1/4" to 1/8' arbor for the two larger ones. large-diamond-rotary-grinding-wheel-setI bought this set, but haven't used anything from it, yet: 50-pc-diamond-rotary-point-setAs Pat said, spend the ~$30 on a flex shaft for your Dremel. Not only easier to use than holding the whole tool, it's a lot safer when working with water. I lined an appropriately sized pipe clamp with foam tape and mounted it on my bench to hold the handpiece when I'm grinding. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 31, 2018 9:14:44 GMT -5
Agree with Pat. Get a flex shaft for the Dremel. That way you keep the water away from the motor. You can easily sit and grind rocks with a small tub of water to dip the rock and bit in that way. Get a hanger to hang the dremel motor on, too! Makes it easier to maneuver the flex shaft that way. |
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Oct 31, 2018 9:15:09 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the tips.
I already do have the flex shaft. I just have to figure out where I am going to grind rocks at so I can decide if I'm going to just hold everything in my hands vs use some kind of equipment to steady it all.
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Post by manofglass on Oct 31, 2018 9:29:20 GMT -5
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