From:
Marla Sanderson <marla@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date:
Tue, 18 Jan 2005 08:45:56 -0600
Subject:
Drilling alabaster
Dear Hap
I have had some experience drilling long deep 3/8" holes into alabaster.
The first thing I learned is to drill first, carve later.
Too late for that? O.K., I've used wood bits, long and short masonry bits
(Sears - about $6.00 - $9.00) forstner bits, and various sizes of hole
cutters on a drill press - all with no water. Economy, desperation and
ignorance has guided many a project for me. Must've been some luck too.
In using a drill press, the toughest part for me has been to hold the piece
still. (Anybody have any suggestions on that?) I've improvised various
types of jigs and contraptions for each piece - always takes a lot of time
and many trips to the hardware store.
The depth of the hole is going to make a difference. When going deep,
sometimes things tend to get bound up as the dust remains in the hole. If
you're only going a few inches, you shouldn't have too much trouble, even
using a hand drill. As everyone seems to agree, just go slowly.
Good luck.
Marla Sanderson
- Follow-ups
- message 00148: Drilling alabaster - Bob Hackett (18 Jan 2005)
- References
- message 00131: Drilling alabaster - Hap Hagood (17 Jan 2005)
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