How to Drill a Hole in a Seashell Using a Dremel

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Things You'll Need

  • Seashell

  • Spring clamp

  • Masking tape

  • Pen

  • Dremel tool

  • 438 collet

  • 661 diamond bit

  • Dremel Work Station

Turn seashells into jewelry with the help of a versatile drilling tool.

A Dremel tool is versatile because of the many kinds of attachments it can use to do different jobs. One thing you can use it for is to drill holes in seashells to make jewelry or hanging shell decorations. You will need some special tools to get the job done correctly and safely, along with a specific size and type of drill bit and collet, which is what holds the bit or attachments in place.

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Step 1

Place a seashell in the rubber coated jaws of a spring clamp. The rubber coating will help prevent the shell from cracking or getting scratched by the clamp. Place a small piece of masking tape on the spot on the shell where you will drill the hole. Make a dot on the exact spot on the tape with a pen. The tape will help prevent the bit from slipping.

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Step 2

Press the silver button near the top of the Dremel tool to release the spring lock. Insert the end of a 483 1/32-inch collet. A collet is the attachment that holds the drill bit. Insert a 661 diamond drill bit into the end of the collet and twist to the right to tighten it. Use the small wrench that comes with the Dremel tool to tighten the bit. Set the RPMs to the highest setting: 30,000.

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Step 3

Hold the handle of the spring clamp tightly against a table surface with one hand and guide the Dremel tool with your other hand. To make it easier, ask someone to hold the spring clamp for you, or set the Dremel in the Dremel Work Station attachment and lower it down to meet the shell. Press the button to begin drilling and work slowly and carefully. Remove the tape when you are done.

Tip

Make the hole in the shell bigger by using a larger drill bit or rotating around the outside of the hole with a small bit. Wear safety goggles when drilling.

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