diy airstone literally a stone

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As long as it's harder then the rock, which it should be. If you don't want to break you drill bit scratch the bit against the rock. If the bit scratches the rock it will drill through.
 
I hate to discourage you, but that seems like some basalt type rock. In other words, very hard. Your not going to drill into it with anything less than a masonry bit or a diamond bit. That could work for the center hole. But your not going to be able to drill fine, say under 1mm, holes into it with any type of tool your likely to find at the hardware store. If you really want to make your own airstone that looks like a normal stone, get a block of soapstone, shape it with files and chisels, and drill fine holes onto it. They make super small carbide drill bits for putting holes in circuit boards that would probably do the job if you have a Dremel tool and a steady hand.
 
you will need to do some precision drilling to get air out of more than one or maybe 2 holes. you'd do just as well by setting the rock on the end of the air line.

I'd use a carbide bit, if you've got it.
 
after 30 minutes of using a regular bit i got maybe a half of inch thru so yeah i need a different bit but im determined. yeah i know i can buy them i just think its cooler to make my own
 
Cu455 said:
Drill holes first. The reason the rock will explode is because of the pressure building up on the inside. Drilling holes first will help relive some of the pressure.
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That is true for flint and similar non porous stones, this doesn't appear to be any of those kinds.



ToolMan78 said:
I hate to discourage you, but that seems like some basalt type rock. In other words, very hard. Your not going to drill into it with anything less than a masonry bit or a diamond bit. That could work for the center hole. But your not going to be able to drill fine, say under 1mm, holes into it with any type of tool your likely to find at the hardware store. If you really want to make your own airstone that looks like a normal stone, get a block of soapstone, shape it with files and chisels, and drill fine holes onto it. They make super small carbide drill bits for putting holes in circuit boards that would probably do the job if you have a Dremel tool and a steady hand.
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x2

Don't waste your time with anything short of a masonry bit. Even that kind of bit will take some time boring through and you can forget about super small holes unless you've got a drill press. I've used plenty of rocks like that and some that were much harder for plastic plants and airline anchors. They look amazing compared to the stuff you buy in the store, especially if you drill them like beads and string them on the airline tubing. Don't give up, the work is definitely worth it.

Do not force the drill bit too much or you'll break it off or bend it. Also, try the first hole dry. If it doesn't seem to cut, submerge under water while drilling. It will save the bit and keep from overheating. The water will also lift the dust out and keep from stalling the cut (where the drill bit just spins and doesn't bite).

I used fossilized clam shells the size of soft balls to hold air lines and plants. Sometimes I got lucky and it was nothing but lime stone molds, others I was not so lucky and had to drill through solid, fossilized shell (yours cuts like butter compared to them).
 
castro1212 said:
i heard they can explode if i boil it
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Do you believe everything you read on the internet??;)

It's very very very unlikely that it will "explode". If anything...it will just crack...or break into a couple pieces. And this would only (rarely) happen...if you immediately dropped the rock into boiling water. Rather than putting the rock in cold water...and bringing the whole thing/pot slowly up to boiling temperature.
 
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