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How to Drill a Fountain Hole in a Rock
How to Drill a Fountain Hole in a Rock. We are all familiar with the term drilling. Put a bit into a drill, find a suitable piece of wood, and drill a hole straight through. It is a fairly simple task that any do-it-yourself person has done dozens of time before.Those same basic principles apply when drilling a fountain hole through rock, but that...
We are all familiar with the term drilling. Put a bit into a drill, find a suitable piece of wood, and drill a hole straight through. It is a fairly simple task that any do-it-yourself person has done dozens of time before.
Those same basic principles apply when drilling a fountain hole through rock, but that is where the similarities end. You will need specialized tools, different procedures and a lot of patience to do this job right.
Things You'll Need
Drill press
Masonry or diamond tipped drill bit
Small plastic bowl
Plumbers putty
Lightweight oil or water
Fountain rock
Clamps
Secure your fountain rock to a drill press table by clamping it securely down.
Insert your drill bit into the drill press, and line it up at the point you want the hole. Tighten down the drill press table. Smaller diameter holes can be done with regular masonry bits, but larger holes, 1/2-inch or more, need to be done with diamond core drill bits for best results.
Place your small plastic bowl directly over the place where the hole is to be drilled.
Secure it to that place with plumbers putty.
Fill the small bowl up with either a lightweight oil or water as a coolant. Oil works better for this application.
Turn your drill press on to its lowest speed and slowly lower the bit into the coolant, then drill through the plastic bowl. Once through, pull up on the bit slightly.
Carefully and slowly, lower the bit onto the rock and begin drilling. At approximate 10 second intervals, raise the bit to allow cooling fluid to circulate, wait 10 seconds and drill again.
If you are drilling deep holes, add coolant as the level in the small bowl sinks.
Tips & Warnings
Always use coolant. If you don't and attempt this procedure, the drill bit will wear out in no time.
Even though you are only dealing with slow drill speeds, always wear safety glasses when drilling.
