Drilling River Rock

kevbo

Why can't I drill through SOME river rock? I've tried a diamond bit, roto, carbide tip, slow speed, high speed. I've started with a 5/16" bit, but some rock wont budge at all, how is this possible? There's got to be something that will drill into a simple river rock! I'm just looking to go 3/8"w x 1/2"d.
Is it possible that some river rock cant be penetrated??

SelfContract

Have you every tried "High-intensity Laser beam source (light)"... like the one in Star Wars action movies?...destroying flying rocks on contact from enemy space ships... in a blink!!??.. Now, who gonna sell it?.. No one except Uncle Sam (NASA + Military/Defense projects) to destroy oncoming comet rocks onto earth (Dinosaur Destruction or Armaggedon Core Earth Million Miles Drill)?


Again, maybe those you found are "Alien Rocks"!?.. j/k

artisanstone

My guess is you aren't using a hammer drill. Break the offending rock open, get a geology book, and figure out what basic type it is. Come back and let us know.

__________________
Bill Baddorf
Bill@artisanstoneworks.net
www.artisanstoneworks.net
www.stonefoundation.org

cleveman

Kevbo,

Try putting some hair around the area you want to penetrate.

I saw some river rocks at a crafts show and they had made them into candle holders or something. Someone explained that they paid a stone countertop fabricator to drill the holes, so maybe one of the granite heads will post a reply.

jvcstone

Some stone is so hard that diamonds are the only thing that will drill a hole. Counter top shops have lots of diamond core bits on hand for faucet holes etc. Google up GranQuartz, or Granite City Tool or just diamond drill bits, and I suspect you can find just the ticket. They will work best in a drill press, and need to be cooled with water. Another option is a water jet cutter, A shop near here does some sweet inlay work with one. Doubt that you would want to spring for one of those just to drill a few holes.

JVC

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John VanCamp
www.jvcstoneworks.com

artisanstone

we work granite a good bit, and you can't drill it well without the hammer action. of course, a full size hammer drill may be a little much for a little river rock, but if you put it in a vise, or wedge it between several very heavy stones, it may work. You also might try an 18 volt cordless hammer drill as they are much more gentle.

__________________
Bill Baddorf
Bill@artisanstoneworks.net
www.artisanstoneworks.net
www.stonefoundation.org