Drilling small stones

[Ba r r y]

This actually could be on-topic, even if it's not actually wood, as the stones will be associated with wooden parts.

I need to drill some small (1/16" or so) holes in polished stones.

Does anyone have a source of drill bits capable of the feat?

Thanks, Barry

[fredfighter]

That depends on what type of stone. Hopefully they are something soft like marble.

Stone can be drilled with a star drill, which is a cruciform cold chisel that you smack, rotate, 45 degrees and smack again, clearing the chips from the hole as you go and it takes forever. There is no doubt an equivalent pneumatic hammer drill bit that works much the same way. But 1/16" would be pretty delicate.

Another older and much slower way is to use a drill rod, usually of a softish metal or even (on-topic) wood and an abrasive slurry. That is probably how the ancients did that sort of thing before they had metals hard enough to make star drills. Sounds like a job to assign to an apprentice or a slave.

A laser might be helpful, but probably not available to you. Professional shops that work with granite counter might be able to do it, or know how.

If they are 'lucky stones' (e.g. quartz) I think you're out of luck.

[Ba r r y]

Barry

[Battleax]

What colour is the sky on your planet?

[Guess who]

Google diamond drill bit 1/16.

E.G.

[George E. Cawthon]

Try looking at a "Rock and Gem" for ads.

Off hand try David Lopacki Co. Cal toll free to

888-593-9462 or try Kinsley North Inc.

You need diamond drills and you need to use a drill press with the stones in water (water covering the drilled area). If you never done this you must go slow and expect to break some drills.

[Chris]

LMAO