Hi Harry, First, you can learn to do anything you want to do Harry. I know you can!
Second, please tell me if you don't mind, how do you drill the holes in the paua shells? I'd like to know the tool and size bit. Also I noticed beach glass on your auction site. Did you drill those holes and was it using the same method?
I would think Dremel would make a bit but they don't.
Thanks for the info. Joan
On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 02:32:05 GMT, "JB" wrote:
< Thank you. I needed a little encouragement. I am not sure if I can learn what I really want to but I will try. Getting started is the hardest thing for me.I do not mind at all to tell you how I drill the shells and glass. Here is how I do it: I use a Dremel in a drill press. I cut a small tuperware like bowl to place under the drill so I can have water to cool and lubricate the bit. I also use a small piece of wood under whatever I am drilling so when the bit goes through it does not take out a big piece of the shell or glass, but the glass will still chip just a bit, but I have found if you use a new bit on the glass it helps a bunch. After about 3 pieces of glass I change to a new bit and save the other for the shell, which is a lot softer material to drill and the chip out rarely occurs. Be sure whatever you are drilling is covered with water or your bit will burn up really quickly. The main thing I learned about using diamond drill bit is this... work them at a slow rpm and use very little pressure. If you try and force the bit through you will burn the bit and the chip outs will be huge. Here are the diamond bits I use now, because the guy I got my first one from is no longer on Ebay. Here is the link and they are on sell:
Harry My Ebay Auctions are at
< One imporatnt note that I have to mention.... Be sure NOT to put your Dremel in the water.... just the bit! Also... Diamond bits grind... not drill. Big difference between use a diamond bit and a regular drill bit. If you try and drill to fast and use to much pressure... your bit will die quickly and you will have major chip outs when the bit exits the piece you are trying to drill through. Slow speed and very little pressure. Let the bit do the work. I think that's all... if I think of something I forgot I will post again. Rambling man signing off.
Harry My Ebay Auctions are at
Thank you Harry, You told me everything I need to know. Dremel doesn't sell a bit that seems suitable and I was sure a Dremel would work I just didn't know about the bit since Dremel doesn't seem to sell one suitable. Also, a big thanks for the resource info. Joan
< You are very welcome and if you have any other question, please feel free to ask. I am always willing to help anyone I can. A free hint: The smaller the bit... the smaller the chip. :)
Harry My Ebay Auctions are at
Here's another one: If you can, drill halfway through the shell or glass, flip it over and drill from the other side INTO the hole you placed on the first side. If you want it to be exact, measure the distance from the edge. On glass, you can usually hold it up to a light and get the place where the hole would "exit". Same with thin shells. HTH and you can understand it! Reduces the "chip" factor a lot!
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