On Oct 15, 9:35=A0pm, "Jeremy Pinwhistle"
wrote:
Hi,
Could someone advise me on what type of tools/kit I need to buy for shaping
small pieces of stone please?
The material is really soft - it can be scratched with a point of a nail,
and can be cut with an ordinary hacksaw/ drill.
What I would like is to make small (around 1cm to 3cm) figurines from it, so
that they can hang as necklaces. I would need to sculpt them and obviously
drill then for a chain. Maybe even a small brooch. This is only for
Christmas pressies - not a commercial venture - however I would like good
quality equipment. Also some sort of vice/magnifier to hold/see the pieces
to work on - presumably some type of jaws that would not mark the stone.
I do have ordinary air tools/compressor in the workshop, and wondered if
there were any small tools that could be connected to the airline?
Thanks for reading this and for any advice you can offer.
Regards,
Steve.

I suppose one way to proceed 'cheaply' would be to take a small,
bleach-filled container to your dentist and ask him to place his used
bits in it for you to collect. Then, either rent or buy or borrow a
high-speed air drill, or, probably much better, get a Dremel - type
tool. If you can get reasonable results with basic shaping/drilling
with these items, it may be worth purchasing new/better tools and
equipment. A 'head loupe' might be enough magnification. There are
some inexpensive ones.

What kind of stone is this? Also, do live where their may be a
Gem&Mineral Club or perhaps a university that teaches lapidary or
sculpting? Those could be good sources of info and expertise for you.