Dremel with diamond bit?

[birdie]

Do any of you use a Dremel to smooth out your rocks before you tumble?
I've been thinking about getting one and there is a black Friday deal going on right now on Amazon. Thinking maybe the diamond bits would help. (My hands are tired of spending 1-1/2+ hours between stages, scrubbing out the grit slurry from all the tiny crevices).
(I am using a Lot-O and only rocks that I have personally found out here in the Black Hills of South Dakota, if that helps)

((Sorry for the parochial questions, but I am fairly new at this, and I absolutely appreciate all of the expertise from all of you!))

[lordsorril]

I only clean out the stones thoroughly right before polish.  A bit of varied grit at the pre-polish rotary stages isn't going to do much (unless you are working with soft stones).

I just use an old toothbrush with some hand soap on it and scrub the inclusions out prior to polish. 

I do make sure that if they have grit stuck in them though that they do not dry out between stages-or else they will form a concretion.

For a while I tried to use a diamond dremel to take out smaller imperfections out of an overall well tumbled stone, however, it was a hassle.  I would rather just keep re-running them in the vibe until they wear down. 

[rockinronda]

Birdie, there’s a lot of answers to that question and I think most would advise to run the rocks through course stage 1 in 60/90 silicon carbide grit in a rotary tumbler that will shave down and smooth over those rough spots. Then progress to the Lot-O for the subsequent stages and polish.

Unless you are wanting those wild shapes to remain and just want to shine what’s naturally the shape of the rock. In that case I’ve heard ppl who like that method use all sorts of tools to work the grit out of them crevasses. Like dental picks and these fabric spot cleaners that shoot small pressurized jets of water.

Are you “burnishing” or “cleaning” (using borax, ivory bar soap shavings and/or a dash of dish soap) the batch of any previous grit before starting the next stage?

I also think most would suggest def cleaning rocks very well from one stage to the next. As any left over bigger grit will just rescratch the rocks each time as you progress.

[birdie]

Nov 22, 2024 10:42:11 GMT -5 lordsorril said:

I only clean out the stones thoroughly right before polish.  A bit of varied grit at the pre-polish rotary stages isn't going to do much (unless you are working with soft stones).

I just use an old toothbrush with some hand soap on it and scrub the inclusions out prior to polish. 

I do make sure that if they have grit stuck in them though that they do not dry out between stages-or else they will form a concretion.

For a while I tried to use a diamond dremel to take out smaller imperfections out of an overall well tumbled stone, however, it was a hassle.  I would rather just keep re-running them in the vibe until they wear down. 

Thanks! I didn't know it was a big problem until One set of stones had polish embedded in them. This, the consistent overclean between stages now. 🙄

[birdie]

Nov 22, 2024 11:05:46 GMT -5 rockinronda said:

Birdie, there’s a lot of answers to that question and I think most would advise to run the rocks through course stage 1 in 60/90 silicon carbide grit in a rotary tumbler that will shave down and smooth over those rough spots. Then progress to the Lot-O for the subsequent stages and polish.

Unless you are wanting those wild shapes to remain and just want to shine what’s naturally the shape of the rock. In that case I’ve heard ppl who like that method use all sorts of tools to work the grit out of them crevasses. Like dental picks and these fabric spot cleaners that shoot small pressurized jets of water.

Are you “burnishing” or “cleaning” (using borax, ivory bar soap shavings and/or a dash of dish soap) the batch of any previous grit before starting the next stage?

I also think most would suggest def cleaning rocks very well from one stage to the next. As any left over bigger grit will just rescratch the rocks each time as you progress.

Unfortunately, I don't have a rotary Tumbler, so I don't have that opportunity. I do the burnish stage after each stage, which I think really does help. I also make sure to thoroughly clean out the inside of the lot-o, so there is no grit remaining. (definitely a plus to having small hands!) I really like your idea of the dental pick!! I think I've used almost everything else so far ha ha

[lordsorril]

Nov 22, 2024 14:11:39 GMT -5 birdie said:

Unfortunately, I don't have a rotary Tumbler, so I don't have that opportunity. I do the burnish stage after each stage, which I think really does help. I also make sure to thoroughly clean out the inside of the lot-o, so there is no grit remaining. (definitely a plus to having small hands!) I really like your idea of the dental pick!! I think I've used almost everything else so far ha ha

All Vibe and No Rotary?  That must be tough on you...and the vibe bowl...unless you are pre-grinding with an angle grinder or trimming them clean with a rock saw. 

[rmf]

birdie if it is cleaning get a untrasonic cleaner. They clean where bits don't get. Foredom flex shaft with a chuck is better than a dremel in my opinion.

[hypodactylus]

I've used a Dremel to smooth out imperfections on rocks. It works, but it is somewhat time consuming.
You need to keep the rock wet (I used a bucket with a drip line) to reduce dust and heat. Make sure you wear protection (eyes, lungs, ears, etc).

I've stopped using the Dremel for this task because I found it easier (and faster) to use my tile saw.
I can use the tile blade to grind out imperfections on the rock without cutting it through, if I so desire.

[birdie]

Nov 22, 2024 18:03:06 GMT -5 rmf said:

birdie if it is cleaning get a untrasonic cleaner. They clean where bits don't get. Foredom flex shaft with a chuck is better than a dremel in my opinion.

Thank you for that advice! I will definitely look into it.

[birdie]

Nov 22, 2024 17:38:32 GMT -5 lordsorril said:

Nov 22, 2024 14:11:39 GMT -5 birdie said:

Unfortunately, I don't have a rotary Tumbler, so I don't have that opportunity. I do the burnish stage after each stage, which I think really does help. I also make sure to thoroughly clean out the inside of the lot-o, so there is no grit remaining. (definitely a plus to having small hands!) I really like your idea of the dental pick!! I think I've used almost everything else so far ha ha

All Vibe and No Rotary?  That must be tough on you...and the vibe bowl...unless you are pre-grinding with an angle grinder or trimming them clean with a rock saw. 

While a rotary Tumbler would be very helpful, I appreciate my Next Door Neighbor too much to make her listen to that sound continually.(We share a garage wall)
Although I have been able to get some very nice polished stones

[birdie]

Nov 22, 2024 18:10:32 GMT -5 hypodactylus said:

I've used a Dremel to smooth out imperfections on rocks. It works, but it is somewhat time consuming.
You need to keep the rock wet (I used a bucket with a drip line) to reduce dust and heat. Make sure you wear protection (eyes, lungs, ears, etc).

I've stopped using the Dremel for this task because I found it easier (and faster) to use my tile saw.
I can use the tile blade to grind out imperfections on the rock without cutting it through, if I so desire.

Oh how I wish I could have a tile saw! I basically live vicariously through all of you guys who have one!
And thank you for the suggestions as well 🙂

[geoff59]

Hi: I have been known to take a diamond bit or 2 and a Dremel to a rock. I do it to get in to spots that need some grinding and smoothing up, places on a rock that I can;t get to with the usual wheel or flat lap disk. I dip the rock in water frequently while doing so, wear eye protection.

[birdie]

Nov 24, 2024 6:23:48 GMT -5 geoff59 said:

Hi: I have been known to take a diamond bit or 2 and a Dremel to a rock. I do it to get in to spots that need some grinding and smoothing up, places on a rock that I can;t get to with the usual wheel or flat lap disk. I dip the rock in water frequently while doing so, wear eye protection.

Thank you!
Is there a particular Dremel that you suggest?