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[Kautious54971]

Hello! I’m new to the club and and am interested in best ways to drill rocks! Currently just using a hand dremel and diamond bits. Have been wondering if there are any new and faster ways or if I am currently to top speed! Depending on the stone and my patience I have gotten up to 8 drilled in an hour. These were all fairly soft tho too.
Thanks Kelly B from Wisconsin

[Stonemon]

Welcome to the forum!  There are a lot of variables when drilling... I use a bench style drill press with diamond bits and can get through a 1/4 inch agate in 3 or 4 minutes' For longer holes folks use ultrasonic drills. Lithic Beads, this may be for you.
Regardless, there are folks here that can help.
Best to you

[lithicbeads]

 The vast majority of people use  a dremel or foredom style tool with inexpensive bits. All bits are not of the same quality. Ample water to flush out the hole and cool the bit is crucial as the diamonds can easily get stripped from the bit with too much heat and pressure. You use an in out rhythm. More expensive is a system like the Guenther diamond drilling system which is based on a hollow diamond bit with cooling water flowing through it. The same in out cycle is crucial here also. If you only make tiny holes an inexpensive ultrasonic is sold by Kingsley North. A quality ultrasonic drill capable of drilling holes up to 20 mm is about $25,000. Water swivel drills will also drill very large holes using the same principle as the Guenther drill.

[VegasJames]

Welcome to the forum.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Welcome to the forum.

I didn't say anything earlier 'cuz I don't drill stones, and I knew the experts on here would have info for you.

Lots of invaluable info on here, especially if you look in the archived material (here: http://lapidaryforum.net/gemstone/ ) that was preserved here by the new owners/admins.