My Pastel Tahitians

[ECoast.Pearl]

Yes, I used a beeswax bar.

 

[Katbran]

I know there is a video somewhere on here of Wendy drilling a pearl this way. You ladies are far braver than I am. I use my pearl drill. It's fairly straight forward. I would surely drill off my fingers using this method. I do love my dremel though. Didn't someone else post about a clamp they purchased at Home Depot or Lowes? I think it was some sort of locking vice grip that they used.

Yes someone did post about a vice, I couldn't find one here. I tried a wooden ring clamp and that worked but holding it gave me a better feel for it. You wouldn't drill your fingers lol If you move the pearl toward the drill and not the other way around it's pretty safe

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I ran a search using keyword "vise" and found this:

MSC posted about a vise system sold by Rio, but when I clicked the link it seems the item is no longer available at Rio. Maybe someone else sells it?
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/s...ist-Drill-Bits&p=139754&viewfull=1#post139754

Marianne posted this method she uses:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/s...er-Parts-Wear-Down-So-Fast!&p=57610#post57610

barbie biggs posted this idea for how to hold the pearl:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?2735-Gold-headpins&p=34413&viewfull=1#post34413

Llyoydsjewelry posted this method:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/s...t-Pearl-Reamer&p=180283&viewfull=1#post180283

 

[Luvglitz]

Thank you everyone for all the advice on a clamp to hold a pearl while drilling a pearl. I apologize to ECoast.Pearl for hijacking the thread away from your gorgeous pastel Tahitians.

 

[KarenW]

Pearl Drilling

Pearl Drilling

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure this post belongs here as it is a bit of a hijack, but I thought I'd weigh in on the pearl drilling discussion.

I drill quite a few beads, including pearls, and have gone through various methods of doing do. I used to put a little water in a shallow dish and stick some poster tack in the bottom. The bead/pearl then was seated in the tack, I would hold the pearl/bead steady with padded flat-nose pliers and drill with a diamond bit dremel.

That was then...

I swear I don't work for 3M, but the tool I use now changed my beading life. It's a relatively inexpensive little vise made especially for drilling round beads and pearls called, creatively, the Pearl Vise. It was included with a jooltool machine I bought for my bench and it seriously does a great job, and does not mar the pearl in any way due to the delrin connectors. I have never used it with the jooltool but still use my trusty dremel. You can buy just the vise:

http://jooltool.com/shop/flexshaft-accessories/brushes-bits/pearl-vise-by-anie/



Again, sorry if this post is out of place. The original photos of pearls were breathtaking!!

 

[Katbran]

PD Thank you for the search... I too had found it wasn't on Rio anymore. But this little vice looks good....though to be honest I don't mind holding it .. it's so much faster

 

[pearlescence]

Totally agree, and you soon learn to avoid drilling your thumb

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I like the look of this too, which Lloydsjewelry used in his video:



Irwin Quick-Grip
http://www.irwin.com/tools/clamps/handi-clamps

There are different sizes; I see them on Amazon among other locations.