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Author Topic: Drilling Stone  (Read 2772 times)

tinker

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Drilling Stone
« on: November 04, 2021, 09:53:42 AM »
Learned Colleagues, I am wondering what are the best auger or twisted drill bits for drilling into stone.  I've have used a few over the past 15 years, but they seem to wear out pretty quick or don't make an impression, can anybody recommend a good quality Stone Drill Bit.

Faceting Frank

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2021, 01:33:02 PM »
Aussie Sapphire sell diamond drill bits, 2-3-4mm diameter.

MALACHI

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2021, 09:47:15 PM »
I have been advised and seen those at my club, keeping the stone slightly submerged underwater while drilling with a Dremel type drill. Apparently the water keeps the diamond drill tip cooler and consequently helps keep them usable longer.  :) beers
« Last Edit: November 04, 2021, 09:52:21 PM by MALACHI »

Bucket

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2021, 10:56:19 PM »
Tinker, what I've been using are the diamond burrs, like Malachi said, keep the stone just submerged and take it slow. I use an old takeaway food container. Start with a small burr and work up to the size your need, just like you would with steel. Hard stuff can take a while so try lifting the burr occasionally to remove swarf as you go.
Common sense isn't exactly common

MakkyBrown

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2021, 08:58:31 AM »
For holes 3mm and up sintered hole saws are nice but not cheap. They drill fairly fast aswell.
MB

tinker

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2021, 05:15:30 PM »
Thanks fella's for the idea's the old chinese takeaway containers come in handy as I use them, with a small block of wood under the stone, so I don't drill a hole throught the bottom of the container .   I do the same as you guys, I will just have to be a bit slower. ;D  Not in a hurry to finish my drilled stones.

MakkyBrown

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2021, 09:32:24 PM »
Be careful using wood with small diameter(like 1mm) cheap coated bits as they will grab in the wood fibers and twist/break.MB
« Last Edit: November 05, 2021, 09:34:47 PM by MakkyBrown »

tinker

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2021, 04:10:49 PM »
Yes thanks Makky I do, although I have gone to using plastic, my wife had an old chopping board and and grabbed it an cut up a few pieces for use in my workshop,  beers

techoff2

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Re: Drilling Stone
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2021, 06:15:26 PM »
use masking tape on the top and bottom of where you want the hole to be.I use core bits to drill the holes. there give a good cut and the tape stop it chipping on the outward side and stops the core bit sliding on the inward side.I use a small pearl holding vice submerged in water and an overhead drill press with variable speed.If you do get any chipping then a dremel with a fine emery point will smooth it out very successfully.
 

 

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