Help Me Get Stoned
January 15, 2018 6:53 AM Subscribe
I am looking for instructions/advice/personal tips on drilling small holes in small stones (beach and river rocks and pebbles).
I would like to start making some jewellery and crafts out of the small beach rocks and maybe the odd bit of sea glass I've been collecting. Something like this for example. I anticipate I'd want the holes to be about 2-4mm, or around 1/8".
After reading dozens of websites and articles, I'm more confused than when I started. So, my questions are:
1. Best drill for this project? I have a corded, but old and not very powerful handheld drill. I also have access (but it's inconvenient) to a large full size drill press machine. Or I could purchase a Dremel or a new more powerful handheld drill. Which of these is my best/easiest option?
2a. After I determine what drill to use, what drill bits do I need? Do I need diamond core bits? Or would masonry or concrete or tile bits work? I anticipate I'll try to pick softer stones when beginning, like sandstone rocks, and then progress to harder rocks as I get proficient with the process.
2b. I've read about the importance of keeping the diamond core bits wet while drilling, for cooling the bit. Is this necessary with other types of drill bits as well?
3. Any personal experience, tips, tricks, advice, or secrets for drilling stones would be much appreciated. I don't even know what I might need to know.
Thanks in advance for any help. Love this site!
I would like to start making some jewellery and crafts out of the small beach rocks and maybe the odd bit of sea glass I've been collecting. Something like this for example. I anticipate I'd want the holes to be about 2-4mm, or around 1/8".
After reading dozens of websites and articles, I'm more confused than when I started. So, my questions are:
1. Best drill for this project? I have a corded, but old and not very powerful handheld drill. I also have access (but it's inconvenient) to a large full size drill press machine. Or I could purchase a Dremel or a new more powerful handheld drill. Which of these is my best/easiest option?
2a. After I determine what drill to use, what drill bits do I need? Do I need diamond core bits? Or would masonry or concrete or tile bits work? I anticipate I'll try to pick softer stones when beginning, like sandstone rocks, and then progress to harder rocks as I get proficient with the process.
2b. I've read about the importance of keeping the diamond core bits wet while drilling, for cooling the bit. Is this necessary with other types of drill bits as well?
3. Any personal experience, tips, tricks, advice, or secrets for drilling stones would be much appreciated. I don't even know what I might need to know.
Thanks in advance for any help. Love this site!
Yeah, I'd only do this on a drill press.
The drill bits look like this:
https://www.amazon.com/3-Pack-Diamond-Drill-Beginners-Drilling/dp/B014O7TCCQ/
I go for the highest possible rpm, low to medium-low pressure, keep water on the cutting action at all times - either build a little dam with clay or use a little spray bottle. Expect it to 'blow out' when it exits the part.
posted by Dmenet at 2:25 PM on January 15, 2018
The drill bits look like this:
https://www.amazon.com/3-Pack-Diamond-Drill-Beginners-Drilling/dp/B014O7TCCQ/
I go for the highest possible rpm, low to medium-low pressure, keep water on the cutting action at all times - either build a little dam with clay or use a little spray bottle. Expect it to 'blow out' when it exits the part.
posted by Dmenet at 2:25 PM on January 15, 2018
I've done a bit of this kind of drilling, but I am by no means an expert.
I immediately went to using a dremel-style rotary tool with an abrasive diamond bit. The spherical-style bits worked best for me.
Keeping the bit wet under a thin stream of water was helpful, and so was a very light pressure / high rpm.
I know that people have suggested a drill press, but my ability to hold randomly shaped rocks still enough on the drill press table was not sufficient, so I just held the rotary tool in one hand and the rock in the other. If anybody can describe a way to hold smooth, randomly-shaped rocks still with a drill press vise, let me know.
posted by Acari at 5:31 PM on January 15, 2018
I immediately went to using a dremel-style rotary tool with an abrasive diamond bit. The spherical-style bits worked best for me.
Keeping the bit wet under a thin stream of water was helpful, and so was a very light pressure / high rpm.
I know that people have suggested a drill press, but my ability to hold randomly shaped rocks still enough on the drill press table was not sufficient, so I just held the rotary tool in one hand and the rock in the other. If anybody can describe a way to hold smooth, randomly-shaped rocks still with a drill press vise, let me know.
posted by Acari at 5:31 PM on January 15, 2018
I have done a little of this too, with a Dremel drill press. I was drilling glass that I had put through a rock tumbler. I attached the piece I was drilling to a plastic bowl with water in it. I think I used Sugru or some kind of putty to hold it on the bottom and I drilled from the top. It worked fine. I had a special glass and masonry bit.
posted by chocolatetiara at 7:10 PM on January 15, 2018
posted by chocolatetiara at 7:10 PM on January 15, 2018
Re: spray bottles. The best ones are not the trigger-pump kind that window cleaner comes in but the kind they use in laboratories to irrigate things. With one of those, you can produce a steady strem, rather than intermittent squirts.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:09 AM on January 16, 2018
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:09 AM on January 16, 2018
Acari: " If anybody can describe a way to hold smooth, randomly-shaped rocks still with a drill press vise, let me know."
A piece of Plasticine works fairly well. Apply between rock and table or if using water between your catch pan and rock.
posted by Mitheral at 10:53 AM on January 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
A piece of Plasticine works fairly well. Apply between rock and table or if using water between your catch pan and rock.
posted by Mitheral at 10:53 AM on January 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
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2. Yes, carbide drills work better and last longer when wet. Diamond and carbide are your only options for drilling into rocks. All the regular drill materials are softer than rocks, and will immediately become dull and stop cutting.
3. I haven't drilled rocks, but have drilled lots of other stuff. I would expect to fail at first, until I figured out how much pressure to apply, how fast the drill should turn, etc. Failure modes might include broken stones, broken drill bits, or other. Wear serious eye protection.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 10:29 AM on January 15, 2018