Drilling in rock for sculpture base????

[JDeMoss]

Anyone have any ideas on an easy way to drill a large (about 3/4" wide by 1 to 1 1/2" deep) hole in rock. I have a cool large sculpture that I need a base for and I left that size of rod sticking out the bottom that I will place in the hole.
I originally wanted to use drift wood, but I think a rock would look way cooler.

I have access to a drill press, but it is not that powerful. I've drilled smaller diameter holes through rock with it before, but it was a pain.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Jesse

[Mark Parkinson]

try a hammer drill if the rock is stable (no cracks or fissures) it will work fine, if the rock is unstable I would use a diamond core bit and drill down an inch then use a chisel to knock that out and then drill to your final depth.

core bits that size are about $20 each from Princess auto

[JetAge Studio]

Hmmm, not sure, but you might want to contact a company that I have bought from before: http://www.defusco.com/ They are REALLY great, and know their equipment...which is a wonderful thing!!

Best of luck
Renee Wiggins

[JDeMoss]

Thanks,

I have a hammer drill I could try, but it seems like the edge of the hole wouldn't end up very clean looking. But maybe I'll give it a try and if it doesn't work I'll try the diamond core bit. And I'll be sure to check defusco.

Thanks again

[ez2remember]

Never tried this, but if I did, the first thing I would try is a masonry bit in the drill press...and go slowly.

edz

[e. mort]

you want to do it slowly. Can you attach a bungee cord to the drill press lever to keep light pressure on the bit? If so, put the rock in a pan of water so the piece you are drilling is under water, position your drill bit, and start drilling as slowly as possible. If the rock is too big to keep underwater, you can make a little donut out of polymer clay and press that against the stone to make a little well on top of the rock to hold water. If the diamond bit gets to hot it will be ruined.

[laserglass]

http://www.toolocity.com/diamondcorebits.aspx

sells lots of diamond core drill bits.and as others have said, use lots of water and go slow.

this might help to adapt to your drill press

http://www.toolocity.com/adapterforcorebits-58-11to38triangleshank.aspx