Isculpt Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I should know this, but I don't. What kind of bit should I look for to drill into a ceramic piece? I had two breakages at a weekend show. On one sculpture, the hands got broken off of a figure, but if I can drill into the "sleeves", I should be able to replace the hands and refire it. Additionally, is there any special technique I should be aware of when drilling into ceramics? Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Yes -extremely slow-use a carbide drill bit and go SLOW use a bit of water to keep it cool Did I mention SLOWLY. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Drilling through stoneware and porcelain is a real pain. It will take a long, long time. Don't let the bit overheat or you can crack the piece. Did I mention it will take a long, long time? If you try to attach the hands into the sleeves, they must sit in place without any sort of mechanical means if you plan to fire them into place. If they won't sit in place via gravity, they will just fall out during the firing as the glaze softens up. Might have to just glue them in after firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Water cooled diamond drill....... but still slow. Neil makes a good point about attaching them post-firing. best, .................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Hmmm. Attaching them after firing might be the best way to go. Thanks. And s-l-o-w, huh? Man, that's the hard part -- slowing myself down. But I will put the drill on its slowest speed and try to exercise patience. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 I had a lamp shop convert some inexpensive Chinese ceramic square Tea jars into lamps. They too used a diamond grinding bit mounted on a drill-press, with the porcelain fully supported underneath. With modest constant pressure and a constant flow of water, the bit slowly ground the holes through the porcelain. I've been able to fire some unexpected pieces together with glaze by firing them upside down using Kanthal wire to suspend them, thus using gravity to hold the piece to be attached in place. Good information! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudlark Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I use silicon carbide grit. Use a brass or copper rod of the desired diameter as the drill bit(brazing rod is suitable). Make a plasticene dam around the spot where the hole is to be made,add grit and water. Do not press too hard, replenish water as required and support the underside of the material being drilled otherwise the drill will break through leaving a ragged area around the hole. Repeatedly withdraw the drill to permit new grit and water penetrate to the cutting surface.Wear ear defenders and goggles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conniefi Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I drill ceramics weekly for my jewelry pieces. I use diamond drill bits and water. Yes, you must go very, very, slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 I did it on a glazed over hanger for a platter going to the Smithsonian. It took a very long time. I used a regular but with a silicon carbide paste. It took a long long time but it was successful. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted November 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 I use silicon carbide grit. Use a brass or copper rod of the desired diameter as the drill bit(brazing rod is suitable). Make a plasticene dam around the spot where the hole is to be made,add grit and water. Do not press too hard, replenish water as required and support the underside of the material being drilled otherwise the drill will break through leaving a ragged area around the hole. Repeatedly withdraw the drill to permit new grit and water penetrate to the cutting surface.Wear ear defenders and goggles. Okay, two questions... Where does one buy silicon carbide grit (not to mention plasticine)?? And what is a brazing rod? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudlark Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 Lapidery suppliers stock silicone carbide grit. I use 600 mesh as I have it on hand having bought it for another purpose, a coarser mesh would do just as well. Brazing rod is used to join metals by heat and can be bought at plumbing suppliers, use one that is not covered in a flux, it looks like brass rod. Any non ferrous metal rod of the desired diameter will do. Plasticene is a trade name for an oil based modelling clay used by sculptors and model makers not to mention school kids. It's used as it does not wash away with the cooling water as potters clay does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted November 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Lapidery suppliers stock silicone carbide grit. I use 600 mesh as I have it on hand having bought it for another purpose, a coarser mesh would do just as well. Brazing rod is used to join metals by heat and can be bought at plumbing suppliers, use one that is not covered in a flux, it looks like brass rod. Any non ferrous metal rod of the desired diameter will do. Plasticene is a trade name for an oil based modelling clay used by sculptors and model makers not to mention school kids. It's used as it does not wash away with the cooling water as potters clay does. Thanks for the detailed information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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