electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341 
|
Post by electrocutus on Apr 20, 2022 14:19:42 GMT -5
Hi, I'm not sure if I'm asking this question in the right place. I tumble rocks and have no experience in making jewelery at all. However, my wife has some thin stone slabs that she wants me to drill small holes into so she can make pendants. I looked things up and I know I need diamond-coated drill bits, but didn't realize there were several different type: "typical twist types", straight, and core (and maybe others I haven't seen). What's the best drill bit type to use to make small clean holes so she can string wire or chain into them? Thickness is between 2mm and 4mm. I have both a regular drill and Dremel-type rotary tool. Here are 2 examples.  |
|
|
|
Post by Son Of Beach on Apr 20, 2022 15:47:39 GMT -5
electrocutus I've some success with bits like these on my dremel You can start a little indent with the spherical bits on the bottom left and then once you get a groove going, switch to the cylindrical shaped bits in the top middle. When I finish, I the cone shaped bits to clean up the edges. One drawback that I've run into is that it can take some time depending on how hard and thick the rock is. Another is there is a tendency for the dremel to slam into the stone when the bit goes thru, sometimes causing a small mark. But it works with a little patience. Here is an example of what I'm talking about
I hope you have some success with those, there are really nice.
|
|
electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341
|
Post by electrocutus on Apr 20, 2022 15:58:55 GMT -5
electrocutus I've some success with bits like these on my dremel You can start a little indent with the spherical bits on the bottom left and then once you get a groove going, switch to the cylindrical shaped bits in the top middle. When I finish, I the cone shaped bits to clean up the edges. One drawback that I've run into is that it can take some time depending on how hard and thick the rock is. Another is there is a tendency for the dremel to slam into the stone when the bit goes thru, sometimes causing a small mark. But it works with a little patience. Here is an example of what I'm talking about ...
I hope you have some success with those, there are really nice.
Thanks, this is a nice bit set. Iassume they are all diamond-coated to they are hard enough? What you did is exactly what I need to to. |
|
|
|
Post by Son Of Beach on Apr 20, 2022 16:04:49 GMT -5
electrocutus Yep, they are all diamond coated. I picked my set up at Harbor Freight for like 12-15 bucks, but you can find the same set online or other hardware stores.
miket Is kind of the Dremel denizen, maybe he can add more wisdom. |
|
|
|
Post by miket on Apr 20, 2022 16:54:01 GMT -5
electrocutus Yep, they are all diamond coated. I picked my set up at Harbor Freight for like 12-15 bucks, but you can find the same set online or other hardware stores.
miket Is kind of the Dremel denizen, maybe he can add more wisdom. Sorry, I haven't really drilled holes with my dremel... It seems like Son Of Beach has the right idea, however. Maybe try a practice piece first? You can find better bits at jadecarver.com, but they're more expensive. Ideally, I think a drill press would be the way to go- but if you give it a shot with a Dremel please keep us posted! |
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Apr 20, 2022 17:11:39 GMT -5
Be sure to work keeping the drill bit and the stone under water or a drip system. Protects both stone and bit.
Slightly and gently bounce the bit, so water can run in to the hole and remove the dust.
I use a cheap plastic sandwich box, add a flat piece of thin wood or cardboard to cushion the rock and to prevent the bit from going through the sandwich box. Takes about a minute or two.
Polish the outside edges.
Good luck.
|
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Apr 20, 2022 17:29:22 GMT -5
Be sure to work keeping the drill bit and the stone under water or a drip system. Protects both stone and bit. Slightly and gently bounce the bit, so water can run in to the hole and remove the dust. I use a cheap plastic sandwich box, add a flat piece of thin wood or cardboard to cushion the rock and to prevent the bit from going through the sandwich box. Takes about a minute or two. Polish the outside edges. Good luck. If you're getting one done in a minute or two I'd love to hear where you procured the burrs. I have the same set up w water and use clay to hold the piece in pace in the water. Careful not to splash water in rotary tool :/. |
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Apr 20, 2022 17:30:23 GMT -5
Also I typically drill before I polish the stone.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Apr 20, 2022 17:45:34 GMT -5
Drill bits possibly from jade carver. Not sure. And yes, drill prior to polishing. : ) i meant polish the perimeter of the hole once you have the hole.
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 18:06:57 GMT -5
I use a few that were found in the tile section in a big box store (for drilling tile). Worked great. I put the stone into a plastic bowl of water with a thin piece of wood under the stone. If I cut too far, no big deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Apr 20, 2022 19:20:00 GMT -5
I drill entirely with ball end burrs. I hold them and dip in water frequently. I keep a finger at the exit site and as soon as I feel a tickle I flip it and finish the hole from the other side.
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Apr 21, 2022 6:44:59 GMT -5
I've found the hollow core diamond bits work pretty good.
Have to use in water, as others have mentioned.
I like to use a small drill press with a small plastic dish under.
Make sure you support under the hole , under the water.
And go slow.
Patty
|
|
electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341
|
Post by electrocutus on Apr 21, 2022 10:40:21 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I don't have a drill press so I'll probably practice with a Dremel on some "throwaway" rocks I have and see how it goes before I attempt the ones my wife wants to make pendants with :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by miket on Apr 21, 2022 12:15:28 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I don't have a drill press so I'll probably practice with a Dremel on some "throwaway" rocks I have and see how it goes before I attempt the ones my wife wants to make pendants with :-) Smart man.  |
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Apr 21, 2022 18:15:26 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I don't have a drill press so I'll probably practice with a Dremel on some "throwaway" rocks I have and see how it goes before I attempt the ones my wife wants to make pendants with :-) I also use glue on bails fyi. |
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Apr 21, 2022 18:24:28 GMT -5
Drill bits possibly from jade carver. Not sure. And yes, drill prior to polishing. : ) i meant polish the perimeter of the hole once you have the hole. I haven't used jade carver, will look up. As for polishing, I didn't even see that part of your post lol. I can't tell you how many times I've polished and then thought... "I should put a hole in this now."  |
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Apr 21, 2022 18:52:00 GMT -5
I like either the diamond core bits or the carbide spade bits for tile and glass. With the diamond bits especially, it is best to drill under water to keep from burning the bit up. Also a good idea to either wrap the stone with a couple layers of tape or back the stone with some wood to help reduce blowout when drilling.
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Apr 21, 2022 21:19:41 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I don't have a drill press so I'll probably practice with a Dremel on some "throwaway" rocks I have and see how it goes before I attempt the ones my wife wants to make pendants with :-) I also use glue on bails fyi. "One time I was making a model, and I glued the wing to a B-17 bomber to my bird by accident" -Bubbles |
|
stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Apr 23, 2022 9:55:55 GMT -5
Just a tip for drilling. I use a Dremel and a Dumore (Fordom on steroids!). The Dumore has a flex shaft and is easy to use (mine is from the 60's and still runs like a champ) The Dremel is ok but I found adding the flex shaft made it TONS better. I use a little duct tape on the spot I want to drill (keeps the bit from wandering when you first start). I also have a backing pad (I have a polymer pad from scrap at work, but any soft rubber will work) that I drill on. It helps hold the rock steady, and helps minimize breakout on the back when the bit passes thru. Work slow, and lift the bit often to clear the slurry. Be ready to change bits as needed (when the cutting action stops change the bit!) as the bits when worn out will heat up and the diamond coating will break off in the hole and basically force you to drill a hole in a different spot. I have used one bit to drill out several rocks, and then had to use several bit to do one rock! Some bits just seem to cut better than others. Oh and I love small core bits as they seem to have the greatest longevity (and the higher price!).
|
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Apr 23, 2022 9:58:48 GMT -5
stefan the duct tape is genius!! Why didn't I think of that?
|
|
