Drilling Stones

[williams]

Hi.
I know this is not turning, but, Turners have so much knowledge about things.

I want to drill 1 to 1.5mm holes in some stones from the beach.

Hope someone can help

[Martin Lawrence]

Hi Colin,

  I wish I could help with the pebbles to make a hole so small without breaking the drill bit seems impossible to me probably because I'm so heavy handed, for small holes I think they now blast through with high pressure water/air.

However I can suggest Soapstone which you would be able to drill through and then turn or hand carve into the desired pebble shape, the pic below is turned from soapstone, a bit dusty but very easy to use. It also comes in a number of colours.

Cheers Martin.

[williams]

Hi Martin.

I have the stones from a young person that is the Son of a commission request for some turning.

Michael.

[Paul Hannaby]

Hi Michael,
Look for diamond drills used for drilling glass. When using these, it is best to use water to keep them cool and drill slowly without applying too much pressure.

[rodt]

As a brand new member of nearly fifteen minutes standing I hope you will accept a suggestion and that is to try one of the Lapidary shops.

They have drilling equipment for tumbled stones and gemstones for jewellery and can certainly help. The one I have used is Manchester Minerals who you can find http://www.manchesterminerals.co.uk/ but obviously there are plenty of others.

Regards

Rod

[BrianH]

Beware of trying to do anything with flint. It damn nearly explodes if it breaks. A techy from Lowestoft College was setting off some emergency flares on the beach a few years ago. One of them heated a piece of flint and it killed him outright.
Food for thought?
Brian