RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question

Posted by Lew (A) on May 21, 2012 at 13:35:32

In Reply to: RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question posted by Moko on May 21, 2012 at 12:35:11:

Your definition of "pretty easy" must be way different from mine.
In pursuit of drilling holes in my slate plinths, I tried many different types of bits, since one cannot go into a hardware store and ask for a bit made to drill slate. (Or, one can ask, if one does not mind a look of consternation from a salesman.) After spending a fair amount of money on bits that looked good for the job and proved worthless, I did finally identify one particular company whose bits seem to work "fine". (I can get the name for anyone here who is interested. I think it's ATR.) But even then it requires the patience of Job as you wait for the drill to make headway in the slate. Plus the dust created is pretty awful; do it outside or in your garage. Plus the hole is very apt to be wider in diameter than what you intended, due to crumbling of the slate at the edges of where the bit is working. Allow for that.

Yes, I too have seen on Lenco Heaven that several guys have managed also to cut slate with various tools. Here's what I did; I first ordered my slabs to be honed on both sides so as to create plane parallel and completely flat surfaces. Then I had the slate cut by a water-jet company. IMO, that's the only way to get perfect (or near-perfect) results. Of course, to do that you need either to have a pdf file to program the water-jet or to create one to suit your needs. I found a really good programmer who could work with me to create the necessary files. The water jet work cost no more than a few hundred dollars per plinth and was well worth it.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Idler Drive Plinth Question - mcguirek 09:05:43 05/21/12 (12)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - DuaneBusa@hotmail.com 20:15:26 05/21/12 (1)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - Dave Billinge 01:28:55 05/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - mosin 13:37:47 05/21/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - JRags 12:07:29 05/21/12 (6)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - Moko 12:35:11 05/21/12 (5)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - Lew 13:35:32 05/21/12 (4)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - dtut 08:15:36 05/22/12 (2)

Clever idea!!! - Lew 08:26:20 05/22/12 (1)

RE: Clever idea!!! - mosin 16:10:19 05/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - JRags 15:03:02 05/21/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - Lew 11:26:40 05/21/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - BobM 10:34:47 05/21/12 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - Lew 13:35:32 05/21/12 (4)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - dtut 08:15:36 05/22/12 (2)

Clever idea!!! - Lew 08:26:20 05/22/12 (1)

RE: Clever idea!!! - mosin 16:10:19 05/22/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question - JRags 15:03:02 05/21/12 (0)

RE: Idler Drive Plinth Question

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