We’ve had several customers ask if their diamond drill bits can be sharpened. To find an answer, we asked two of our suppliers about re-coating worn out diamond drill bits. Unfortunately, they can’t be re-coated.
Both manufacturers gave the same answer: Making new diamond drill bits is an almost totally automated process. Computer controlled machinery shapes the stainless steel. Then, the stainless steel blanks are electroplated with the diamond coating.
Scraping the remaining diamond coating off of a used diamond drill bit, so that it’s clean enough to be re-coated, is a manual process. Additionally, it is labor intensive and costly.
In other words, it’s cheaper to make a new blank than it is to clean a used one.
Now the good news! Even if your diamond drill bits can’t be re-coated, they can be cleaned.
Many times the diamond bits are still on the drill bit. Not worn down, just covered up. Drilling glass and tile creates a very fine glass dust that coats and “glazes over” the diamonds on the drill bit. Using a cleaning stone or the bristle ends of a small wire brush can remove the glazing and re-expose the diamond particles. Not sharpening, but uncovering the diamond coating for many more uses.
You should clean your diamond drill bits after every third hole, or more often as needed.
This is a good idea for both glass drill bits and diamond core bits.
After the bits are worn out, the stainless steel is recyclable if your community has a metal and plastics recycling program.
Clean them - You’ll be glad you did.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Do It Yourself - Wine Bottle Light
So, now that you have all the information that you need to get started drilling glass, what kind of projects should you take on? If you haven't heard of Pinterest, it is a virtual pinboard that allows Dyou to search for many different types of do-it-yourself projects. We had to receive an invitation to join, so feel free to reach out to us if you need an invite. It begins to get fun when your friends join you, as you can share your pinboard of ideas with your friends on the website.
One project that we found worthy of showcasing, is the DIY Wine Bottle Light:
This idea, which was found on Pinterest, is a project created by Wit & Whistle that shows you how to complete this simple, yet interesting piece. The only things you need to create this are:
One project that we found worthy of showcasing, is the DIY Wine Bottle Light:
This idea, which was found on Pinterest, is a project created by Wit & Whistle that shows you how to complete this simple, yet interesting piece. The only things you need to create this are:
- An empty wine bottle
- A strand of Christmas lights
- A drill
- One of our 1/2" glass drill bits
- Masking tape
- Goggles and gloves, just as a safety precaution
This is a great project for beginners, without the look of being too simple. Check out the project steps by clicking here. And don't forget to take pictures of your finished product and share them with us on our Facebook page. Don't be shy!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Don't Do This!
It's finally here! Our last blog post in our current series. Before you start drilling away, make sure you read the following post in order to prolong the life of your diamond drill bits.
Don't do this!
There are two things that we do not recommend doing with your diamond bits.
Never:
- Use diamond bits with impact type "hammer drills". The impact will bend the tips.
In addition:
- Diamond bits are not recommended for steel or other ferrous metals. You will get much better results using carbide bits on iron, steel and other ferrous alloys.
Let's start drilling. Choose from below or from the navigation bar on the left.
I hope that you found our Tips and Tricks blog series to be helpful and informative. We would be happy to assist you with anything else, so feel free to drop whatever questions you may have through our comments section or our Facebook Page.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
How Long Will They Last?
Our second-to-last blog post of the series focuses on the estimated life of a diamond bit.
How Long Will They Last?
This is the question our customers ask most often and the one we can't answer.
The hardness and abrasiveness of the material being drilled, the tool speed, the pressure used and the amount and type of lubrication affect the life span of all diamond bits, ours and all others. Even materials that appear similar have varying degrees of hardness and abrasiveness. It is impossible to estimate the life of a diamond bit. On some thin, soft materials a diamond bit may last for 50-100 holes or more, while on some thick, very hard or very abrasive materials the life many be only 1-3 holes or less.
The hardness and abrasiveness of the material being drilled, the tool speed, the pressure used and the amount and type of lubrication affect the life span of all diamond bits, ours and all others. Even materials that appear similar have varying degrees of hardness and abrasiveness. It is impossible to estimate the life of a diamond bit. On some thin, soft materials a diamond bit may last for 50-100 holes or more, while on some thick, very hard or very abrasive materials the life many be only 1-3 holes or less.
It may be difficult to determine how long each individual diamond bit will last for each individual user, but you can always visit http://www.diamondburs.net/ to obtain a wide variety of bits. And as always, each order comes with free shipping.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
How Do I Start a Hole?
One of the most important pieces of information to know when drilling is how to begin a hole. Follow our tips to help you become an expert driller:
How Do I Start a Hole?
The best way to prevent the bit from skipping or walking when you're starting a hole is to use a drill press. This holds the bit firmly in place. Use a vise or some other system to hold your work firmly in place under the drill press.
If you can't use a drill press, keep the bit from walking or skipping by making a pilot hole in a piece of wood or plastic using the diamond drill or another bit. 1/8" thick wood, 1/8" Plexiglas or even cardboard will work. Place this "template board" on the material being drilled, with the pilot hole above your target spot. This will keep the diamond bit centered in place while you start the hole with your hand drill or rotary tool.
If you can't use a drill press, keep the bit from walking or skipping by making a pilot hole in a piece of wood or plastic using the diamond drill or another bit. 1/8" thick wood, 1/8" Plexiglas or even cardboard will work. Place this "template board" on the material being drilled, with the pilot hole above your target spot. This will keep the diamond bit centered in place while you start the hole with your hand drill or rotary tool.
Stay tuned for our next post about the life span of a diamond bit. As always, feel free to leave us any questions or comments either here or on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/diamondburs.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
What is the Difference in the Grits?
People often wonder about the different types of available grit. In this post, we will try to compare types of grits to the different types of sandpaper.
What is the difference in the grits?
Your choices include diamond bits in several different grits, Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Coarse and Super Coarse. These are all relative terms. How fine is Fine? How coarse is coarse? Most people are familiar with sandpaper so we've compared international standards for diamond tools to common sandpaper grit. The table below compares diamond grit to sandpaper grit:
- Extra Fine diamond grit is comparable to 360 grit sandpaper.
- Fine diamond grit is comparable to 200 grit sandpaper.
- Medium diamond grit is comparable to 120 grit sandpaper.
- Coarse diamond grit is comparable to 95 grit sandpaper.
- Super Coarse diamond grit is comparable to 75 grit sandpaper.
We hope this helps to clear up any confusion you may have had regarding the different types of grit. We only have three more posts until our tips and hints series!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Changing Collets
Good afternoon! As promised, here is more helpful information about changing collets:
Changing Collets
The black nut on the end of the tool that you tighten to secure the bit is the collet nut. Loosen the collet nut until it comes off of your tool completely.
Directly underneath it is a little metal tube with 2,3, or 4 slits in the large end. This is the collet. These are interchangeable.
The hole down the center of the collet holds a drill bit with either a 1/16”, 3/32” or 1/8” shank. Collets are size specific. Larger bits will not fit into smaller collets and larger collets will not tighten enough to hold a smaller bit in place.
All Dremel® tools come with a 1/8" collet. If your Dremel® kit came with several collets you probably already have both the 1/16" and 3/32" collets. If so, you are already set to use bits with 1/16" and 3/32" shanks.
Most people save money by buying a 1/16” or 3/32” collet so they can use smaller, less expensive bits.
You can choose both 1/16" and 3/32" collets in our accessories section. Simply choose a 1/16" collet for bits with a 1/16" shank or 3/32" collet for bits with a 3/32" shank.
Even Dremel® brand diamond wheels and diamond points do not come on a 1/8" shank. They have a 3/32” shank. If you have used Dremel diamond bits before then you already have a 3/32” collet.
There are 2 older models of Dremel® tools that do not accept interchangeable collets.
Directly underneath it is a little metal tube with 2,3, or 4 slits in the large end. This is the collet. These are interchangeable.
The hole down the center of the collet holds a drill bit with either a 1/16”, 3/32” or 1/8” shank. Collets are size specific. Larger bits will not fit into smaller collets and larger collets will not tighten enough to hold a smaller bit in place.
All Dremel® tools come with a 1/8" collet. If your Dremel® kit came with several collets you probably already have both the 1/16" and 3/32" collets. If so, you are already set to use bits with 1/16" and 3/32" shanks.
Most people save money by buying a 1/16” or 3/32” collet so they can use smaller, less expensive bits.
You can choose both 1/16" and 3/32" collets in our accessories section. Simply choose a 1/16" collet for bits with a 1/16" shank or 3/32" collet for bits with a 3/32" shank.
Even Dremel® brand diamond wheels and diamond points do not come on a 1/8" shank. They have a 3/32” shank. If you have used Dremel diamond bits before then you already have a 3/32” collet.
There are 2 older models of Dremel® tools that do not accept interchangeable collets.
Next time, I will discuss the different types of grits.
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