Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Vice to hold solid silver orb pieces for drilling

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    158

    Default Vice to hold solid silver orb pieces for drilling

    I've bought a mini bench drill (it's great) and I have a small vice for holding objects to drill.
    However, I need to drill half way down into some solid silver orbs, and whatever method I use, they rotate or slip.

    I've glued some pieces of wood onto the jaws, but even that doesn't work.

    Does anyone have a suggestion on how to how hold round orb pieces of metal in a vice? I guess I could use thermoloc, but I've got so many different sizes to drill, I'm going to have to have loads of moulds.

    Thanks everyone

    Susie

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    937

    Default

    cut some v shapes in the wood on the jaws to fit round the orbs then place a thin bit of wood between the orb and the bottom of the vice.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    288

    Default

    Hi Susie,
    I use a clothes peg in my drill vice to hold small beads. The large round hole running through the peg fits and grips my small beads very well. I then use a “peck” drilling technique and oil to help prevent sticking. Like Joseph said V notches are very traditional for holding round items, some drill vices have these notchers machined into the jaws for this very purpose. I use leather to protect my silver from getting marred by the sharp edges when using these V notch’s…… Nick
    Last edited by nicks creative stuff; 30-09-2021 at 08:22 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,845

    Default

    Cooksons sell a pearl clamp for not very much money, which would probably do the job, and can be held in your drill vice.
    https://www.cooksongold.com/Jeweller...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
    Always make a starting pit with a ball burr, before using a drill.
    Add a lubricant throughout, go for quite a low speed to prevent the drill from bluing, and lift the drill out repeatedly to clear swarf.
    Dennis.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,086

    Default

    Remember though, never use one of those pearl clamps to hold a pearl. Dreadful.
    Author: Pearls A Practical Guide
    www.pearlsapractical.guide
    www.Pearlescence.co.uk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    158

    Default

    Brilliant suggestions!!!
    Loving the wooden peg idea AND the pearl clamp.

    Think I'm going to buy a pearl clamp. problem solved!!!

    Thank you so much

    Love this forum

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •