Stainless steel

[Coco]

Can I drill it and pierce it with regular jewellery tools or do I need special laser....thingies?

[mizgeorge]

I use different sawblades for steel - the same that are used for platinum - cookies 972 060P for a 2/0

[Coco]

Interesting! Thanks George! :X

[HannahJewelleryDesigns]

If you can help it dont use the same tools for steel as you use for your silver- little flakes of steel can get embedded into the surface of the tool and next time you use it on silver- big deep scratches! I speak from past experience!#-o

[Coco]

Thank's for the tip Hannah! I'll remember that.....hopefully!

[caroleallen]

I find stainless steel really difficult to drill.

[mizgeorge]

You and me both Carole! I generally end up 'borrowing' some of OH's super expensive titanium bits and his big, big drill ;)

[Coco]

How expensive? And how big?

[WitchfordSilver]

I've found that using a saw to cut stainless steel takes to long and blades don't last long, best way is to grind them. well away from the bench!

Have not tried drilling yet but I expect that it won't be easy.

[mizgeorge]

How expensive? And how big?

I've been told off - apparently they're cobalt, not titanium, and a the tiny ones (1mm) are about a pound each, but much more expensive as they get bigger.

As for the drill, it's a big Makita.

Sawing (even with the good blades) is heavy going, but I've managed OK for jump rings up to 14ga.

[geti-titanium]

We use cobalt high speed steel drills when drilling Titanium for diamond setting which are also good on stainless steel - slow the drill right down, don't drill at gold or silver speeds or you will burn it out in no time and use a drop of oil on the drill - WD40 is ok.

For drilling Titanium on the CNC lathe we use special tungsten carbide drills called 'U' drills which take replaceable cutting edge inserts so there is no need to regrind.