Thread: Drilling a jewelers block

You can chuck a drill bit of your desired size and spin it while sanding it with a running belt sander to shape the end to make domed washers too. I first use a 5/64" bit in a press and drill about 3/8" deep in my anvil, then drill in the center of that hole with my desired done shape then use a rod of mild steel cut to 3" or so end drill that with 1/16" hole then shape it same as the drill bit I already shaped but just a little smaller then stick 1/16 stainless rod in it to hold the washer I want to shape center then smack it with a small ball peen. I've accomplished this by hand but a drill press is way easier and concentric.

Originally Posted by RezDog

My method is to file a flat spot, take a split point drill bit in a pin vice and start my hole, to the drill press with the center drill and hold the razor in my hand and push the pin up to the spinning bit. By hand holding it allows me the ability to move the hole slightly if needed. As the hole gets very close to the collar I stop and finish by hand with the pin vice. If you go too far on the center bit there is a 50/50 chance of the collar surviving. In my razor work area I have a small counter top drill press that does all I need it to do and they are not a big expense but super duper handy.

Rez im gonna try this.

Where do you get the split points bits for the pin vice? I can find micro bits online, but only brad points.

Any hardware store.
Ace,sears, home dept, lowes, ect.

Yeah that worked alright. Just knocked some cracked scales off a recently acquired W&B. I wanted to see if i could save the collars.

Not too tricky when you have the right tools and know what to do with them.