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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I got some fairly cheap porcelain eggs from Michael's - hollow, about 1/8-inch thick, I think. Not a real hard baked glaze. They're only $199 for the whole package, so I don't think they're a real "top-line-quality" item. (Can't find it online or I'd post a link.)
I'd like to drill a hole in the end about 1/2-inch dimater. I have a Dremel-type tool. Is this a good tool? If so, what bit and what speed? If not, what would you recommend? Ed |
patrick1515 Regular user 142 Posts |
Good thing you've got a bag of them, because you should expect to break several before having any success. Having experience drilling tiles and glass, you should use a diamond tipped bit. A dremel or drill will work, I would suggest a drill press if you have one or access to one. You will need to create a starting point. What I mean by that, is a small nick in the surface of the glaze so that the bit will have something to bite into onto and minimize the "walk".
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lin Special user California 880 Posts |
I think a dremel would work.
From the Dremel website: Quote:
Q: What will work to drill porcelain? I think I'd try to make a sort of clamping jig from a couple of pieces of scrap styrofoam to hold the egg, and I'd start with a slower speed till I'd made a small nick with the bit. A lot of ceramics are softer than a true porcelain (or a stoneware) and will drill easier--but may be more breakable too, especially when applying pressure. If the eggs seem sort of light in comparison to their size, they may be of a softer bodied ceramic composition. Best of luck! |
jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
Slowest speed possible and spritz it with water to keep it wet.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
What about grinding it away, instead of drilling it? Dremel has some bits that may work better than a drill bit. If slower speed is required, just chuck them in a variable speed drill instead of the Dremel tool.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Yah - doesn't have to be a picture-perfect hole. So a diamond-tipped or tungsten-carbide cutter, slow speed, keep it wet ... got that! Doesn't seem to be a glaze, or at least not a gloss finish. More of a flat finish - it comes with little paints for kids to color it. (And the cost is missing a decimal point - only $1.99 each.)
Thanks all! Ed |
lin Special user California 880 Posts |
Ed,
Since the eggs don't seem to be glazed, before you invest in a diamond or tungsten bit (they can be a bit pricey), try scratching the eggs with a nail. If they seem to scratch easily, you'll probably be able to use a bit you already have on hand. Lin |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Ah! Will do .... thanks!
Ed |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
The easiest and most reliable way to accomplish what you want to do is with a small sand blaster.
TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Quote:
Ed, Yep, scratched very easily. Thanks for that tip! It's gonna make things a lot easier. Ed |
lin Special user California 880 Posts |
I suspected as much. Use a grinder bit in your dremel and apply the bit very lightly to take the material off. If you use pressure, you risk cracking/breaking the egg. You probably won't need water to keep the bit cool, but it might help keep the dust down--or it might make a messy paste that splatters everywhere. Good luck!
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-16 14:28, Thomas Wayne wrote: Powdered eggs??
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Several companies make very small sand blasters (sometimes called "pencil blasters") that are capable of such fine work that you can actually cut your signature onto a hard surface, just as if you were using a Sharpie. I would think that sort of control would be perfect for this particular application.
TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I figured as much, but just the intial image of a sandblaster and an egg... I couldn't resist.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Howard Hamburg New user 94 Posts |
Use a punch to get a hole,you'll break plenty.then follow above advice w/dremel tool.it takes plenty of time but one is all you need unless you're going to provide for the club.
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