Have you ever thought you are going to make a hole in a rock? Well, maybe you did, but why? Did you wanted to make a small stone jewelry, or you are a DIY rookie.
No matter what’s your purpose are, this article will let you know about how to drill a hole in a rock.
Rock is one of the most difficult minerals to bore through. It is also an extremely common material that can be used for many applications.
If you have a rock, or something made of rock you want to bore holes in, you are not required to obtain the services of a professional stone cutter.
If you have the right tools, you can do it by yourself for far less time. You can even make a little money on the side by cutting your own stones, or selling them in bulk.
However, it is important to keep safety in mind while you are working with rock.
So, before the turkey gets cold, let’s jump into more detailed guide about it.
Things To Remember When Drilling A Hole in The Rock
There are some similarities in the actions that is used to drill holes in stone whatever tool is used. I would like to list below them, so they won’t be repeated.
Using Water
Using water keeps the drill bits and rock cool as you’re drilling. This will enhance the lifespan of the diamond-tipped holes that you’re creating.
It will also prevent rock chipping and breaking while drilling are in progress.
If you are using an electric rotary tool, this is crucial advice.
Explicitly speaking, do not put yourself into a dangerous situation that could result in electrical shock by continuing to work with water near your tool.
Use Appropriate Drill Bits When Drilling Holes Into Rock
A drill bit is used to drill holes in concrete based on rock type and depth and diameter of the hole. When you are discussing small holes, a tungsten carbide masonry bit is most useful.
You can use diamond core bits when you get down to a larger diameter, or they may not completely penetrate and create holes, in which case you’ll need to drill a different approach (in another direction) until the
diamond cores break apart.
Masonry Drill Bits
Masonry drill bits are normally used with a hammer drill that works by hammering the bit into the rock while rotating. Rock is fractured by hammering at the bit tip, which is then also brushed off by rotating flutes.
Each hammering action leads to the movement of the cutting edges of the best quality away from the soil and down to the bottom of the hole.
Diamond Drill Bits
Diamond drill bits are the best to use for drilling into hard minerals like granite or marble. Diamond drill bits are constructed of sharp diamond crystals, which penetrate into the hardest rocks with ease.
When using diamond drill bits, the key to accomplishing reliable drilling is to execute drilling at slower speed and moisten the drill bit with copious amounts of water.
Drilling From One or Both Sides of the Rock
You may decide before working to drill from one side or both sides of a rock for jewelry. The jewelry piece will only display from one side if you drill from the outer side totally through it. However, the side that
isn’t visible will be unaffected.
If both sides will be visible on the front side, you will need to drill from both sides in order to make sure that your drill doesn’t cause
damage on your faces. I recommend 2 pieces of string, crossing horizontally and
vertically, to show these side for starburst drill.
How To Drill A Hole In A Rock?
There are several ways and tools that can be used to make a hole in rock. Let’s discuss some common methods.
Drilling holes into small rocks with the tip of a rotary tool
Rotary tools are great for drilling holes into small rocks. The drill bit penetrates the rock easily and the rotary motion helps break it down so the bit can continue drilling.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using a rotary tool to drill holes into small rocks: be patient, use a light touch, and stay alert for potential hazards.
There are some common types of hand-held rotary tool, all of them work in a similar way. The power source of the tool is usually a motor, which is connected to a small drill bit. This drill bit can be used to make holes in rocks.
Things You Need
- The rock you are going to be working on.
- A simple pencil or pen to mark the exact location where the drill bit will cut.
- A clamp to hold and support the rock being drilled.
- The rotary tool.
- An adjustable chuck, that can securely hold smaller drill bits.
- The bits that contain the drill holes for the rock.
- A container or dish that’s shallow and can hold water.
- A cloth for cleaning up water and muck.
- Safety goggles and a mask for preventing dust.
Steps To Drill A Hole In The Rock
•Set up a designated workspace by removing any distractions and
ensuring that there is enough light.
•Once you have set up your container, set it on your working surface. Be sure that you can reach the tray easily. Pour water into the
container, with the level reaching one to two centimeters above the top of the rock you’re cutting.
•Place your rock into the vice or other device you intend to use to secure it.
•Put on any safety gear that you are going to use. I like to step slowly and take my time when putting on long sleeves and putting on an apron.
•Select the bit that will be used, insert it into the chuck, and secure it.
•Adjust the speed setting, ensuring that the rotary motor is running at the lowest setting.
•Use a pen to mark where you intend to drill. Mark both sides of the rock if drilling will be performed on both sides.
•Grind the diamond with the bit at a 45-degree angle from the work surface. The bit will pierce the rock as well, limiting the possibility of slipping during use.
•Once the hole is started, direct the bit until it’s perpendicular with the rock surface. Place minimal pressure on the bit, but allow the bit to do most of the work while you’re maneuvering it up and down.
Maintain a constant distance between the bit and the rock as you drill to allow the water to flow into the void.
• Allow the bit to work through the stone and out the other side if you don’t care about the condition on the opposite end.
If rock is to be drilled from both sides, drill to the depth prior to flipping the rock over. Secure it in place and begin the drilling procedure described above once more.
Making holes into small rocks without using a rotary tool
There are various sorts of tools for making holes in rocks that can be used by jewelers, some of which are rotary tools. From ancient
hand-powered tools to cutting-edge electric presses, jewelers have an assortment of devices to choose from.
Drill Press
These devices can be easily and efficiently worked in the method that rotary devices can be more difficult to use. There are just a few minor challenges that you will have to overcome to get the current level.
Things you need
You’ll need the same components required for rotary tools. The only thing different here will be the chuck. You’ll need a smaller chuck for a full-size drill press while tabletop versions will be able to use smaller bits
automatically.
How to make a hole with drill press
You don ‘t want to contain the rock with your fingers as you operate the mortar. You won ‘t be in a position to establish the gap by using a handheld instrument, so a holding device will be required, too.
You’re required to align the drill tip with your target on the rock before you begin drilling.
Hand Powered Tools
For many jewelers, maneuvering loose tools is just as fun as creating the actual jewelry. These tools could include bow drills, hand drills that resemble screwdrivers, and egg beater drills. The setup and operation
procedures are nearly the same for all, so I am bundling them below.
Things you need
•The rock you will be working with.
•A pen or pencil to mark where the drill bit will be drilled.
•A base for holding and supporting the rock as it is drilled.
•The hand tool.
•The drill bits that will be used to make the opening.
•A shallow container or dish that can hold water.
•A towel for cleaning the water and debris imaginable.
Steps to make a hole
The procedure for setting up these tools will be identical as for electrical ones. It will be necessary to have a clamp or some other tool to hold the rock as both hands need to stay free.
You can still go-drill from both surfaces, but few jewelers are able to do so safely. Begin drilling slowly, as though it were with a rotary
tool. You will generate less bit turns, but it is nonetheless crucial that there is sufficient water to function.
Do not be concerned about the amount of pressure you are putting on the hand drill. Let the bit do the work for you, as it will prevent the smaller bits from snapping as you drill.
Final Words
If you’re drilling into a rock, drilling here may help, but a stone may break even at the high speeds we’re using. Furthermore, if you’re drilling into brick, then we’ve posted a video that will inspire you.
Some rocks might contain internal fractures that will break the stone apart under pressure. For this reason, you should identify at the outset whether to seek it out or not.