llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Oct 4, 2004 18:59:54 GMT -5
I'm using cheap diamond bits from ebay
Are they diamond bits or diamond burrs? I have diamond burrs for shaping, diamond bits for drilling. I've never heard of any diamond bits for shaping. Cookie, if you have an ebay link of diamond bits for shaping, please send it to me so I can figure out what the heck ya'll are talking about.
Emerald, no need to be afraid of the diamond burrs or silicone carbide wheels for shaping. If you get your finger in the way, it won't cut into you. I can't remember all the times I have hit my finger with a diamond burr, and even the diamond blade on the saw. It won't rip your finger/hand open like carbide blade for cutting wood will. Stings alittle, but I have never even broken the skin. Of course, it is advisable to keep yer fingers out of the way, but if you do hit a finger, it really doesn't hurt that bad. I have such a high pain threshold, I barely even felt it.
llana
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 4, 2004 20:01:38 GMT -5
When I went to the Prospectors Pouch near our place and checked out the Combo Unit they had there, the gal said I could literally touch the blade with my finger and it wouldn't cut me.
Well...I'm a bit gun-shy. I have the stitches to prove it. I cut my finger on a ban saw, in a bad spot that nicked a tendon, and had to wear a splint for 12 weeks.
I just am not planning on tempting fate. ;D
YET....
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Tellfamily
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 476
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Post by Tellfamily on Oct 5, 2004 8:24:14 GMT -5
The Dremel works very well. I used a number of sanding disks and bits that I had. The best was a small green grinding stone (the colors of the grinding stones tells you wat material the grinding stones are made from.) I tried Agat, Jasper & Quarts. I was able to shape all with the green stone.
I had the Dremal on the highest speed and lightly touched the rocks. I ground down a small point that was sticking out, blended a small crevasse, and shaped some new materiel to make sure one run through course would be enough.
I'll keen playing with the Dremel on Sunday when my next three batches of course are due to taken out. I'll get back witht he group with the results then.
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Post by Cher on Oct 5, 2004 15:22:37 GMT -5
Hey Llana, The ones I got from ebay were listed as: [glow=red,2,300]NEW 30 PC 40 GRIT DIAMOND BURR SET[/glow] So I guess I'm referring to them wrong when I called them bits. I've used 2 bits so far, one of them for drilling a hole in a small rock and the other, for all the shaping I've done so far. I can't believe how long they have lasted. [glow=red,2,300]JK[/glow] As far as rpm's mine is 5,000 to 35,000 but it only has numbers on the speeds like 2 or 5 etc. The first time I used it I kept it on 2, I've since moved up a couple of numbers but like Cookie I haven't tried the fastest speed. Don't know how to tell what the numbers relate to in rpms .... fast, faster fastest. ;D [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img]
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 5, 2004 16:41:08 GMT -5
ok thanks cher, all i was wondering that for is because i wanted to make sure i got one, it woulr be powerful enough for rocks. can you drill holes with the dremel instead of having to have a huge drill press mechanism?
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Post by Cher on Oct 5, 2004 17:28:58 GMT -5
Yeah, you can drill holes in the rocks, it's a bit time consuming the way I do it but I don't have the drill press attachment for mine. I'm just holding the rock against a piece of wood and dipping it in water to keep it cool. It does work though.
Cher
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 5, 2004 17:41:23 GMT -5
I belive I have the same diamond burr set as Cher, not bits. I have drilled holes with the finer burrs, though.
cookie
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Oct 5, 2004 21:27:17 GMT -5
Cookie and Rose - okay, now I'm not confused anymore. Now I will know when ya'll say bit when talking about shaping, you are really talking about a burr. Not trying to be the proper name police or anything, I just couldn't figure out how you were shaping rocks with a bit. Had an image of ya'll hunched over a rock shaping it with a tiny drill bit. ;D
llana
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Post by Cher on Oct 5, 2004 21:36:25 GMT -5
No problem Llana, better to be speaking using the correct name than messing with peoples minds. I didn't realize there was a difference ... lol if it goes in a "chuck" it's a bit. Least with all the stuff I've used. I'm glad to know the correct term, I'd never want to tell a newbie " go buy those drill bits" and have them get the wrong thing. [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img]
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Post by connrock on Oct 6, 2004 20:53:54 GMT -5
Hi Emrald, Good polished rocks start with good material to start with, and how you prep your rough before tumbling. I'm not going to get into the "good material" thing because it's your choice as to what you want to self collect.buy,trade,etc. What ever you opt for rough the first thing to do is dump it out and look at it.Inspect each piece and make 4 piles. The first pile is "ready to tumble". The 2nd pile is "needs to be trimmed". The 3rd pile is "needs to be broken more then trimmed". The 4th pile is "trash". The first 3 are pretty easy but the 4th is always the hardest. Think of it as if you were buying real Christmas trees for yourself,family and friends.You can take 40 trees in a lot of 50.You take a walk around to get an idea of what's offered,weed out the bad ones and choose what YOU think is the best. Some of the trees are so bad you wouldn't even think of trying to trim them or straighten them out or whatever.Those trees are nothing but "trash". As for rock prep,a good way to do it is to buy a Chisel Hammer.You will see one here: andy321.proboards16.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1096784780Take the rocks that are in the 4th pile and break them to a size you like with a Crack Hammer.(you'll see one on the same page as the Chisel Hammer) Now put them in the 2nd pile and you're ready to "trim" your rough.Trim off any sharp pointed areas and also any sharp concave areas with your Chisel Hammer.When you're satisfied with the trimmed rock put it in the 1st pile. As you go through this process you ARE going to have more trash.It can't be helped. Keep in mind that the better you prep your rough the faster you'll be ready for the 2nd step of the tumbling cycle and the rounder your rocks will be. If you want to go further you can use the Dremel to pre-shape the rough even more. I hope this helps you a little,,,,, Tom
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 6, 2004 22:00:58 GMT -5
what grit size burrs are recommended? i think i heard someone speak of using 40 grit diamond burrs, cher maybe?
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 6, 2004 22:36:26 GMT -5
The ones I use are 80 grit. They definately get the job done on most rocks. Agates are kinda tough, if you need alot of shaping. Then 40 grit would work well. I shaped some slabed labadorite today and the 80 grit bits were perfect. I think 40 would have chewed them up. I also spent some time busting up some of the quartz Emerald and I found on our visit. I've discovered that, with a light hand on the hammer, I can knock off alot of the fractured, unusable rock and leave the solid quartz structure whole. But a saw is the answer. cookie
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 6, 2004 22:52:39 GMT -5
Tom, That was an excellent suggestion. I was so excited to start tumbling rock that I wasn't that choosey. I already have a bucket that is #4? But there it sits below my tumbling table. I don't have the heart to throw it out yet!
I appreciate the description you gave. I have to admit, I had no clue what was considered "good" stone to tumble.
Many many thanks!
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