Composite gemstone question.

[Kevster]

Im sorry if this has been posted before, I did a search but couldn't find anything on this topic, it could be me because I'm not really familiar with this forum yet.

Anyway, I just received my first knife and scales from Jantz and my question is can composite gemstone be drilled with woodworking tools? Or do I need a different type of bit? They seem to be more of a rock and I don't want to mess them up.

Thanks.

[AUBE]

You can drill them with standard metal drills. I recommend cobalt drills (not to be confused with carbide drills) since they last much longer and cut smoother.

Composite gemstone is mostly resin so it works pretty easy.

[Kevster]

Thank you, can they be purchased at say home depot or lowes?

[AUBE]

Both of my local Lowes and Home Depot carried them, but I'm not sure if thats true for all locations.

[Kevster]

I'll check tomorrow, thanks again.

[AUBE]

You're welcome. If they don't have it check the specialty shops. We had places in town that sold bolts/screws/machinery that also carried drills...sometimes cheaper than Home Depot.

If you can't find them a simple HSS (high speed steel) drill will work, I just find the cobalt to be a better deal....especially when drilling steel.

[Kevster]

Originally Posted by AUBE

You're welcome. If they don't have it check the specialty shops. We had places in town that sold bolts/screws/machinery that also carried drills...sometimes cheaper than Home Depot.

If you can't find them a simple HSS (high speed steel) drill will work, I just find the cobalt to be a better deal....especially when drilling steel.

I bought a set of titanium bits from northern tool, do you reckon they would cut it?