Drilling quahog shells...question??

[Nifeman]

Fellers, got a problem :hmm: . How do ya drill a clamshell without it breaking? Tudys got some real nice wampum pieces and I thought I could drill them with a tile bit (the kind like a bullet) but they broke. Do I need some kind of lube to keep em cool? Any help is appreciated :idunno: ...bud

 

[StevePrice2]

Shell drilling secret. Do it underwater! That is submerge the shellin water not the drill. It only has to be deep enough to keep the shell wet and cool. A diamond bit like dremel bits are good too. There is some technique and trial and error. The drill bit should touch the shell, use light pressure, lift and repeat. Slow and cool is the mantra plus the right bit.

HTH, good luck.

Steve

 

[soggy]

Steve's right; watch the pressure. I've drilled quite a few clam shells so that I could use them for novelty targets. I never drilled them under water but that makes sense to me (next time I'll try that) I just used light pressure and low rpm's while using regular 1/8" hss drills .Works 90% of the time........ :grin:

 

[Nifeman]

Thanks fellers, I know when I used to drill glass we used a milky kind of solution inside a dam and went slow. Thanks again, Bud :thumbsup:

 

[wildeagle]

The fellows have got it narrowed down real well. It is the heat that is your enemy. Either use water to keep it cool or slow the bit way down to minimize heat build-up. Shell , because of it's make up requires very little friction to create heat. The slower the better!