A standard power drill has too much power and is too large for delicate jewellery work. Instead, specialist drills such as hand drills, pin voices, flexible shaft and rotary tools are used. Pendant drills with a foot operated speed pedal and a flexible shaft are ideal for jewellery work as they have the correct amount of toque and fine control required.
Invest in a set of good quality drill bits intended for small scale work, as the drill bits sold at DIY and hardware shops are too large for fine work. These can be bought via specialist jewellery suppliers, but also consider shops that cater for model makers or other such hobbies.
Such thin drill bits can be easily snapped if the flexible shaft is held at an incorrect angle. Always wear suitable eye protection when using a pendant drill or rotary tool. As with piercing saw blades, beeswax will act as an effective cutting lubricant when drilling, thereby greatly increasing the lifespan of the drill bit.
Tip
The burr left by the drill bit can be easily removed by using a drill bit that is about 4 times larger than the hole. Gently twist the drill bit in the hole with gentle hand pressure. This will shave away the burrs, and leave a clean, slightly counter sunk hole.
