Drill bits for alabaster

[lindhend]

Hey guys, I'm about to experiment with turning (an) alabaster fountain pen. The kit I'm using requires a 10.5 mm and a 12.5 mm bit. Those sizes seem to be hard to find on any carbide or diamond-tipped bit. Nor have I found those sizes on any glass/tile bits. I've looked around on lapidary supplier sites and others with no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm indeed a novice, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Linden

 

[PenPal]

Artu Drills available in Metric and Imperial available around the world. I settled recently for just under and made the finished drill size in a normal steel drill in a Wooly Mammoth Tooth..

Peter.

 

[greenmtnguy]

Alabaster is not that hard.
drillsandcutters.com have both
Probably Graingers has them also

 

[magpens]

Your drill size does not have to be exactly what the kit manufacturer says.

Check a drill size conversion table and choose a "fractional" drill that is close and a little undersize but measure the brass tube first and do not go below that for sure. I think that drilling in alabaster will result in an oversize hole, so that is why I am suggesting you use a slightly undersize fractional drill.

Here is the link to a drill size conversion table that I use all the time.

Drill Size Conversion Table

 

[PenPal]

I have a clear memory of being in Cappadocia in Eastern Turkey watching a local outdoors making beautiful objects from the local Alabaster using no protection ,primitive tools and an ancient Metal Lathe,it was almost primeval. He used normal steel drills etc.

Peter.