[Jewelry making - Article 00459] - Re: [Orchid] Enlarging Briolette Holes

[richard hart]

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>     It's a PITA, but you can use a hand chuck and reamer. Be sure to
>     ream the beads under water, as this will help mitigate cracking and
>     chipping. I would hesitate to use the flex shaft for this because
>     you may destroy more of these beads than you save that way.

    There are two types of bead reamers. There is a 4 sided metal tapered
    type which if used extremely carefully will enlarge a hole and is
    what has been traditionally before diamond tools were so widely
    available and inexpensive. These tools will break a stone bead very
    quickly, these are not used under water. Tapered diamond points used
    with a flex-shaft are very easy to use, I just dip the point in water
    and hold the bead between my fingers and very slowly, at low
    speed,gently drill a little, wet again, drill a little, wet again. It
    is heat and pressure that will cause cracking. You must go straight
    into the original hole, as going in crooked will cause cracking.


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