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Drill for rocks
I'm looking for suggestions on a drill that is capable of drilling river
rock, most probably granite. Do I need a special drill for this? I know that diamond drill bits will be necessary. What would your recommendations be? Also will a masonary saw be adequet for cutting large stones. Thanks |
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#2
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Mick wrote: I'm looking for suggestions on a drill that is capable of drilling river rock, most probably granite. Do I need a special drill for this? Yes. I know that diamond drill bits will be necessary. What would your recommendations be? Also will a masonary saw be adequet for cutting large stones. Not unless you have a very elastic definition of 'adequate'. Thanks To drill rock of the sort you describe you need a tubular diamond drill, a copious flow of water or other lubricant and to back the drill off every few seconds to clear the hole and cool the bit. If you don't have a specially designed rock drill, which handles the up-and-down motion automatically, expect to ruin a few (rather expensive) bits while you learn the technique. A tile saw doesn't have the power and isn't sturdy enough to cut granite or most any other kind of river rock. If you compare a tile saw to a lapidary slabbing saw you'll see there's no comparison in structure, horsepower or much of anything else. Note that the diamond blades are very different as well. I have known people who have tried to cut rock with tile saws. They have almost always been disappointed. My suggestion would be to check with a local rock club or lapidary society to find someone who can do it for you, or at least has the proper tools and can show you the technique. --RC |
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"Rick Cook" wrote in message ... Mick wrote: I'm looking for suggestions on a drill that is capable of drilling river rock, most probably granite. Do I need a special drill for this? Yes. [You might try a "rotohammer" (brand-name turned generic for several makes of reciprocating drills) with carbide-tipped tooling. If the rock's soft enough, it could work much faster than the core-drill Rick suggests and be cheaper as well.] I know that diamond drill bits will be necessary. What would your recommendations be? Also will a masonary saw be adequet for cutting large stones. Not unless you have a very elastic definition of 'adequate'. [The drill can be used for this too - you drill a line of holes and pound wedges into them, splitting off part of the rock.] Thanks To drill rock of the sort you describe you need a tubular diamond drill, a copious flow of water or other lubricant and to back the drill off every few seconds to clear the hole and cool the bit. If you don't have a specially designed rock drill, which handles the up-and-down motion automatically, expect to ruin a few (rather expensive) bits while you learn the technique. A tile saw doesn't have the power and isn't sturdy enough to cut granite or most any other kind of river rock. If you compare a tile saw to a lapidary slabbing saw you'll see there's no comparison in structure, horsepower or much of anything else. Note that the diamond blades are very different as well. [Actually, I have both a tile saw and a large lapidary saw, and the tile saw is more powerful. If the rock is in slab form, it cuts much quicker with the tile saw. But there's no way to hold onto irregular shapes with the tile saw, and there's not enough clearance for big blocks of stone.] I have known people who have tried to cut rock with tile saws. They have almost always been disappointed. [I've been pretty happy, unless the material is very delicate or precious, where the thickness of the blade becomes an issue. The tile saw blades are much more agressive than lapidary blades, and may chip edges a bit, but if it's flat, the tile saw zips right through it.] My suggestion would be to check with a local rock club or lapidary society to find someone who can do it for you, or at least has the proper tools and can show you the technique. --RC [Most lapidary places deal with much smaller rocks than Mick's talking about. He needs to get together with an old-fashioned mason, if there are any left...] Andrew Werby www.unitedartworks.com |
#6
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You don't need a special drill. It's the bit that counts. Try a carbide
cutter bit. Diamond is best but they can be difficult to find and expensive, depending on how large a hole you are drilling. I think you also should use a low speed and keep water trickling over the area so you don't generate too much heat. Re cutting the rocks; try a masonry cutoff wheel that attaches to your drill. The same rules apply regarding speed and water. Bridget "Mick" wrote in message k.net... I'm looking for suggestions on a drill that is capable of drilling river rock, most probably granite. Do I need a special drill for this? I know that diamond drill bits will be necessary. What would your recommendations be? Also will a masonary saw be adequet for cutting large stones. Thanks |
#7
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I have drilled many rocks using a hammer drill and carbide drill bit. These
bits are not hollow and technique is simply leaning on the drill. Hammer drill is a drill motor with both rotary and axial motion. Here in the States they are available at rental centers. DAve "David Bennett" wrote in message news:wYk9d.1012$cJ3.963@fed1read06... You don't need a special drill. It's the bit that counts. Try a carbide cutter bit. Diamond is best but they can be difficult to find and expensive, depending on how large a hole you are drilling. I think you also should use a low speed and keep water trickling over the area so you don't generate too much heat. Re cutting the rocks; try a masonry cutoff wheel that attaches to your drill. The same rules apply regarding speed and water. Bridget "Mick" wrote in message k.net... I'm looking for suggestions on a drill that is capable of drilling river rock, most probably granite. Do I need a special drill for this? I know that diamond drill bits will be necessary. What would your recommendations be? Also will a masonary saw be adequet for cutting large stones. Thanks |
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