Lapidaryforum.net
Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: Stonemon on November 29, 2016, 03:59:46 PM
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I managed to sneak out to the shop this afternoon and put a chunk of the new batch I got from Neal against the wheels.
40x30x6 mm. First pic w/flash. Second pic without.
Bill
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Way way very nice!!!
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Bill;
Nice job in finding the unusual. The black swirls are very unusual. Should pay for the shipping and then a little.
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Pretty cab you made! :thumbsup: I like the way you laid out the pattern on the face. Now I'm itching for Vince to get out to the saw shop and slab some of ours up so I can play with it. Unfortunately, it will have to wait for a bit before we can get to it.
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Here is a bead I cut for my wife...
Same rock.
Bill
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Bill;
Very nice work, I hope your wife was happy.
Now tell me about your drilling technique. I plan on doing some beads and look for multiple options. So, what type and size of drill bits do you use, etc????? thanks, Neal
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X2 I agree with Neal, let's hear drilling info!
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I have a small drill press that I use for drilling. On the table of the press I put a non corrosive container with a slab of scrap rock and fill with water to cover the stone I am drilling.
I drill using the small cylindrical bits you can get for $8 or so on e-bay (Rack of 30 or something)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/30pcs-Diamond-Dental-Burs-Millers-Tooth-Drill-Jewelers-/250867607153?hash=item3a68dfe671:g:vUEAAMXQzr1RzQyo
I have a two sided template that I use to mark both sides of a cab when I am doing pre-forms and I drilled a 1/16" hole in the corner so I can mark both sides of the stone I am drilling with a sharpie.
I drill from both sides, half way through, with a one second down then lift, then one second down then lift, repeat until halfway through. Not too much pressure or you will smear the bit or crack the stone. You can see the flour coming off the bit.
It takes me about 6-7 minutes to drill a 4mm hole in the deer sky at 6 mm thick. Other materials longer or shorter depending on hardness.
I drill up to 5mm holes this way with a good success rate. Some bits last through several holes and some do not.
When my hole is complete, I use a round burr to ease the edge. If (as happens often) I have a bit of mis-alignment, I will run a cone burr to ease interior edges
I recommend drilling the hole before you mark out the final pre-form. When it come to breaking the stone, smaller always fractures easier.
I hope this helps...
Bill
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And yes, my wife loves the pendant. She does some wire work and has an etsy shop so when she gets tired of something....away it goes.
Thanks again Neal for the fine material!
Bill
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Nice work. I have some trim left from a sphere for Neal of the blue sky, maybe Decembers cab contest.