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Post by sheltie on Oct 25, 2012 14:58:51 GMT -5
I have a LOT of slabs that didn't turn out as nice as I'd hoped. Rather than banish them to the rock garden, I thought I might try to make wind chimes instead. My question is what kind of drill bit is used to drill holes in a slab and should water be used to cool it while drilling?
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller 
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Oct 25, 2012 16:03:15 GMT -5
Little diamond bits are what you need and yes you will want tokeep them in water...If you have a Dremel with the flex shaft it makes it easier.....John
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rockdude
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 187
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Post by rockdude on Oct 25, 2012 16:07:42 GMT -5
I like to place the stone in a dish where it's covered in water, just barely. Then don't push the drill hard, just bump it for about 2 seconds and pick it up to let the water in the hole. Bump, pick up....bump, pick up, etc.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Nov 13, 2012 12:48:19 GMT -5
You'll go through a few drill bits as a beginner, even with the stand for the Dremel. Considering the wide availability of cheap Chinese wind chimes, you may want to meditate on whether the project is really worth it. Rockdude describes the technique accurately but unfortunately reading about it and doing it are two different things. You WILL sometimes not "bump" fast enough when you're learning and there goes another drill bit. As a result we have chosen not to drill any wind chime-ables at our stage of the game -- only pieces that are good enough to be worth wearing as jewelry if I don't eff em up. :-) Material is abundant. Time is short.
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Post by deb193redux on Nov 30, 2012 23:51:35 GMT -5
Unlike pendants, the hole does not have to be small. It might even loook nice with holes as big as a dime.
I would recommend 1/8" core bit if you want a smallish hole. Core bits last a long time, and often cut easier. You can get larger core bits if yo want to get all designer with the holes.
Core bits work better on a drill press.
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