Large Core Drill Bit

[Pam]

Has anyone used or bought one of these

http://www.creativeglassshop.co.uk/product_details_2649.htm

Just interested to see any results and your thoughts.

[julieHB]

My thoughts are: They look excellent....but the price looks horrendous!! 

[Pam]

My thought entirely Julie.
I used to get some beautiful silver bails (a bit costly) but they are no longer available, so I've been pondering over a) doing away with stick on bits, b) cuting glass from fused sheet (taurus saw) or drilling. Either way I need to spend money  . Small hole drill bits are available for a reasonable price but I think the large hole bits look like I will need to take the cooling more seriously, also adding on the pump etc makes these large hole drill bits expensive.
Anyone else used these?

[Stacy]

My stained glass tutor had one which he made used to cut a hole for my clock mech to be put through.

It worked a treat but he still said it was best for him to do it rather than me as they took a while to get used to. He had a water feed set up so it was constantly being cooled by that and even then he took it VERY slowly and stop every mm or so.

I think they are fab if your prepared to take the time and not expect it to work like a wood drill.
I know they are very expensive in relation to what you recieve but if you think about how many pendants you won't need to buy bails for it should work out cheaper in the end, especially if your thinking of making lots of pendant for shows and the like.

I've had one on my list of wants for a while, just haven't been able to explain the results as I wouldn't be using it that much.

[dinah46]

Eeek - at that price I'd be scared to use it

I drill regular sized holes in pendants just using a normal diamond tip drill bit in a drill press.  I've also used the triangular shaped bit from the reamer to increase the hole size. As long as you keep it under water while drilling it works fine.

[Stacy]

Ohh that's interesting!!

How big a whole can you get Diane?

[dinah46]

Using the reamer bitty bob it's between 5 and 6mm.  I've also got a dremel bit  which gives a hole about 4.5-5mm. I think it's no 7105

Edited to say that you need the smaller hole first and then use these to enlarge the hole

[Stacy]

They sound great and a much cheaper option!!
How do you keep the water going? do you do it in a bowl or have a proper water feed?

[dinah46]

It's well technical - I don't know if you'd be able to manage it

Take one small plastic tub, eg tomato tub. Fill with water and place under your drill press. I have an even more technical piece of wood in it that I clamp down. Picture - clamp in water on top of wood and clamped to table. Hold glass on wood and operate drill press using up and down motion and a light touch.

Let me know if you need a photo

[Flyingcheesetoastie]

I have one of these flushing heads from creative glass for sale at the moment and have to say it's worked a treat but only have a 3mm drill bit in it.

The benefits of using a core drill of any size are that it is a relatively quick process to make the whole and this minimises the strain on the glass.  I've drilled holes at college in a variety of sizes and the water chuck is invaluable as it gets the coolant direcly to the cut rather than all around it.

At the end of the day, coldworking tools are expensive but if you look after them and use them correctly, they will last forever.  I also recommend a company called DK Holdings for diamond tools, very helpful guys and much cheaper than many places!

[julieHB]

  I am just as techie as Diane, only I don't have a drill press, just a dremel  

I put old tile in bottom of old ice cream tub (cut off half way so sides are not to high). Fill with water so it covers tile and cab completely. Mark hole with cd marker, smear thinly with vaseline over mark so it doesn't disappear as soon as it gets in water. Put 2mm core drill in dremel, put on high speed, attack cab from 45 deg to start off hole, turn dremel upright and drill hole. Lift a couple of times to allow new water into the hole.

I have had my reasonable 2mm core drill for 2 years, and reckon it will keep going for a bit longer. If I want a bigger hole I follow up with a cheap diamond bit (doesn't have to be a core bit, you get a set with various sizes for a fiver). It's getting that first hole which is the trick.

I have drilled holes in bottles the same way. Keep it under water, and your cooling is sorted  

[Pam]

Thanks for all your input, still pondering though.