I have been following the topic about drilling shells and I have questions. (I don't have formal jewelry training yet, just getting started.)
Can someone point me to information about drilling under water? Is it limited to hand drills, do you need special equipment, how not to get electrocuted?
Thank you
Can someone point me to information about drilling under water? Is it limited to hand drills, do you need special equipment, how not to get electrocuted?
Thank you
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Minneapolis
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, September 14, 2007 - 11:24 AMWhat is it you want to drill?
What we are referring to is having a shallow dish of water just covering the piece to be drilled. For hard materials, diamond drill bits are needed and these require the water to keep cool and lubricate.
Any rotary tool will work, but if using a dremel it could be bad to drop it in the water. Foredom style flexshaft grinders are good because the motor and power supply are separated from the working portion of the tool.
What information are you looking for? -
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Re: drilling under water
Mon, September 17, 2007 - 11:10 AMThanks for answering. I'm not thinking of anything specific right now, I was interested in how you would drill without the electrical risk. The flexshaft makes sense. -
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Re: drilling under water
Mon, September 17, 2007 - 2:03 PMAnne,
Also air tools present no risk of shock. -
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 4:09 AMI used to have a bottle hanging upside down on a string above my grinding machine. There was a little tap on the bottle, so I could adjust the water outcome. It was enough to keep wet my object while working, and you don't need to use a hand to hassle with the water. -
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 8:59 AMI have a similar rig. I have a bottle with a stopcock that drips water onto my piece and a tray of water under. For drilling, I use the tray because I find it easier. I had a hard time trying to keep enough water in the hole I was drilling with the drip system. I mostly use my drip system for the diamond cut-off wheels and larger bits that would otherwise fling water everywhere.
I just browed your jewelry--nice work.
What sort of grinder are you using? Is the bit fixed, or is it some form of flexshaft? -
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 10:44 AMDoes anyone have any experience carving chalcedony ?
I'm designing another somewhat elaborate Egyptian pectoral that roughly mimics a 4 thousand year old piece(or thereabouts) that was on Tutankhamen. The scarab itself will be about 2 inches long cut from the stone. I have a full compliment of air tools but am thinking a new Foredom might be even more controllable with the foot control of speed. Is Rio Grande the best place for bits for this type of work ? -
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 1:15 PMRio Grande is a fine place for that stuff. I tend to shop at Harbor Freight (www.harborfreight.com/). Their Chicago Electric flexshaft and Diamond Life burs are very economical and give the best bang for your buck--at least in my opinion. The tools aren't quite as nice as the Foredom brand stuff, but for 1/3 of the price its a great deal. I have been using one of those flexshafts for about 7 years now. The only things thats been a problem is I broke an inner cable and had to go buy a new one for $10.
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 1:49 PMI used to have a grinding machine in England, but I left it there. I used it for example to make cabochon "stones" from shells. Here in Italy I have a drill, a "kind of" dremmel and a pillar drill, but no more grinding machine. It was the one we ose for sharping knifes or tools.
Thanks! -
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Re: drilling under water
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 2:19 PMI should own stock in Harbor freight,I buy there so often.There is a store near me so I haven't used the catalog,but I was unaware they had a flex shaft or diamond bits. Thanks for the info...
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Re: drilling under water
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 7:07 AMG'Morning I did my first few pieces of seaglass drilled under water last night I had people tell me it would take a year to master to others saying its not really that hard . I was using our dremel with a 1mm diamond drill bit and had a piece of sponge in the water to lay it on .It was rather scary using electricity and water but I drilled about 7 pieces and hubby did 2 his had crooked holes while mine were straight on and we broke none It was really fun when that first piece went thru and I could say "I DID IT " !!! I also did a couple of small shell pieces and they were as hard as the glass I figured they would drill right thru but it took a bit as well to get theu them . Good luck and have fun and be safe !! Peace,Brynn -
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Re: drilling under water
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 8:35 AMOh thank you for this,
How encouraging...
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