rotary tool advice for shaping stones for jewelry

[earthlyelements]

I make jewelry with a focus on natural stone. Up to this point, I've purchased all the stone beads I use. Since being a member of MAGMA and attending several digs, I'd like to be able to use some of the stones I've found. I got a rotary tool for Christmas, but I'm unsure as to which accessories I need to use to trim, shape, and drill my finds for jewelry use.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[arappaho]

Well, I'm not sure what kind of "rotary" tool you are talking about,
but just remember you have to use water when working with rock.
But please don't electrocute yourself.
We always recommend you take a class in cabochon making before
you start spending a lot of money on equipment and tools.
There may be a little more to it than you think.

A picture or description of the tool would help.
In the meantime here's a link to a supplier of lapidary tools that
you can browse thru to get some idea what you might be looking for.

www.kingsleynorth.com/

Joe

[postal]

The "DIAMOND" bits and grinding tools on ebay are from China and inexpensive,and are ok at best for simple shaping and drilling holes.For major shaping and trimming you should use a saw.They are not good for any type of polishing.Only shaping and drilling.The problem in making them last is as mentioned, maintaining water for cooling.So you have to work slow and maintain moisture or they will not last long.They are cheap so I tend to wear them out quickly.Again only good for small jobs and slow work.I think their original intent is for glass and ceramic but they do work on rocks.After I have shaped them I either tumble or if I am in a hurry I have someone with the proper equipment polish for me.Most fit Std. Dremel and other Rotary tools just verify arbor size before ordering.Pete

[sophia]

Re: drilling holes in rocks
Arappaho and Postal are spot on here - this is a process that is a lot more involved than it would seem and can be both tedious and dangerous. Here is what I do, which is not me saying I'm an expert, but it will get you a hole. There are better ways to do this (ultrasonic borers that cost $6 grand) but you have a rotary tool, and that's what I have, too.

Note: this will work on harder material like quartz and agate cabochons, and you want to go thru the skinny side(5-6 mm), not to try to drill holes long-ways like a bead. If you need a type of bead with the hole long-ways, you are better off buying them already done.

Another note: You will want to drill your hole after the 280 grit polishing phase, but before 600 grit or higher, because you will likely scratch the $#?* out of your cab with the drill bit and need to repolish the thing again anyways.

Wear shop goggles because I don't want to read about a one-eyed rock hound on here. I recommend doing some trials on pieces that you don't mind breaking - don't attempt this on a treasure while learning.

I use a Dremel attached to a Dremel Drill Press stand (you will break a lot of diamond bits if you try to do this free-hand). Put a small diamond bit from China in the Dremel, have 3-4 standing by, and have a small spray bottle of water next to you. Have a bowl of water ready also.

Take a small, scrap piece of wooden shelf board , nail some other wood scraps to it to form a right angle. You will use this as your "drilling platform", and position the cab in the right angle so it's snug and doesn't want to move. Fold up a shop rag to catch excess water across the front. This makes a mess.

I recommend that you position your board and piece under the drill press before you turn it on, to test the hole location. I mark the cabochon with a sharpie before I start, so I don't get the hole off-center. Your cab should be flat and straight. Don't try to drill a wonky piece until you've done this a few times.

When you're ready, turn on the dremel, wet the stone, and bring the drill down to the stone. Press with one hand, hold your cab with the other hand. As soon as you see rock dust come up, lift the drill and spray the hole liberally with water. Squirt the bit also. Did I mention this will make a mess? You are not trying to force the bit through the stone, but trying to wear away the hole by erosion. You must proceed with caution and be gentle. If you try to muscle it, you will "blow" the back of the hole out and your rock will look like it has a tiny gunshot wound. (small in front, huge and jagged in back). If you are gentle and willing to be patient, you can get 5-8 cabs drilled before needing a new bit. Constantly wash the mud dust stuff off the bit and out of the rock hole. If you get a big lump of gray rock mush, dip your rock in the bowl of water and reposition it before continuing.

It will scare you when the drill bit breaks through the back. It scares me, every time I think I've broken it.

When you get the hole all the way through, leave the tool running and carefully ream, tilt and turn the cab hole around to get rid of the sharp edges of the hole. If you don't keep ahold of
your stone, you will create a cab-a-pult at this point.

Good luck,

[eechler]

The Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies has a class in cabochon making at Wildacres retreat (North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains) in June. Info can be found at www.amfed.org/efmls/wildacres.htm

[Doug]

Sophia is correct in what she says, and it will work. I find it easier to use some wax to build a "dam" around the hole to be drilled and fill that with water. Each time I lift the tool up the water will go into the hole without having to spray. Light pressure on the drill is mandatory. Start with a small bit and size up as you go, kind of like drilling through thick steel. If you have more than a few pieces to drill it might be easier to send them out to a jobber in the third world to have the holes inserted.

[sophia]

Thanks Doug, that's a smart idea about the wax.

I wanted to add a plug for William Holland School of Lapidary in north Georgia also, because not only will you learn from experienced rockhounds, gem cutters and jewelers there, and learn how to use the equipment, it is pretty much the best cheapest vacation I ever had.

visit www.lapidaryschool.org for info, you can get a catalog sent to you.

[postal]

Dour thanks for the "DAM TIP".Never thought of that.Sounds like a good idea.Pete

[earthlyelements]

Thank you all for the advice! I will give it a try & let you know how I do.

The schools sound like a great way to learn, as well - I'll look in to these programs.

[nose2ground]

thought I'd throw my 2 cents in - Harbor Freight is a great place for buying diamond bits and diamond cutters that fit a dremmel very cheap - and they last pretty good as long as you use water.

Also, saw this link posted on another forum, thought it was a rather impressive bit on carving a stone:

customgemstonestudio.com/photos-and-forum/articles-from-contributors/carving-in-sunstone/

[di66er]

Is there is a flex shaft available for your rotary tool? Dremel tool? That is what I use to carve, stone in my hand in a bucket of water.