Drilling Granite on Clausing Drill Press

Machine Shop
#1

I’m assuming this is a no, but figured I would ask before spending money on a cheap drill press-
I need to drill some holes in either a granite countertop remnant or a granite surface plate (currently doing remnant, may switch to surface plate) and have a diamond tipped hole cutter for it. Would it be possible to do this on the Clausing drill press?

The biggest issue I see is I would need to use some water while drilling, and obviously this will generate some stone dust/slurry. I would do my best to make sure no water is left on the machine, and could wipe down with oil or something suggested to prevent corrosion. Thanks!

#2

You might want to use the drill press in Glass Works instead. Mind you, we only use wet sponges to get the water to cool the stone/glass/whatever.

#3

This one? I found this picture on talk:

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I would be fine with that. It’s a little small but I could figure out a way to support the slab and make it work

#4

Also build a pool with clear silicone to hold the water in the cutting area. Then use a bucket underneath to catch the water as it drills through.

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#5

I’ve seen using putty as well:

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#6

That’s the one!

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#7

Putty is cheap and easy … reusable.

#8

I’ve used play-doh before as well.

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#9

Alcohol is a better coolant and it isn’t damaging to the drill press. Denatured is good; isopropyl is better.

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#10

Someone might take that alcohol recommendation seriously. One stray spark …

#11

Isopropyl alcohol is hard to light. A cup of water will put it out. That’s one reason it is used, another is it has a visible flame, methanol does not (why a colorant is added to racing fuels so the driver knows where the fire is).

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#12

I ended up getting a chance to talk with Tim and if I end up bringing a piece of granite to drill to the space I think I should be in good shape.

That said, I just realized I could also use some coolant similar to what (I assume) the CNC uses to reduce any worries about corrosion if using water. Something like this 37294 - QualiChem XTREME CUT 251C.

Thanks everyone!

#13

To clarify, as long as it is all cleaned up, for those who may wonder. Additionally, that doesn’t mean people can start machining granite/stone in Machine Shop. Granite/Stone is very aggressive on fine machined surfaces which is it generally not allowed to be machined in Machine Shop.

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