How to Cut Quartz Stone
- 1). Wear the appropriate protective clothing and safety equipment. This includes gloves, a long sleeve shirt and pants, protective goggles, a respirator mask, and boots.
- 2). Insert the quartz crystal into your vise so that the part you desire to cut is easily reached on the end closest to you with the leather between the metal of the stone and vise. Remember that the stone should be firmly held but do not exert too much pressure when tightening the vise as it may crush it.
- 3). Squeeze a a drop of mineral oil onto your crystal.
- 4). Hold your Dremel tool steadily and allow the diamond blade to touch the crystal. Do not force or push the blade. Just allow it to cut the quartz and as it does the blade will pull itself through. Every ten to fifteen seconds pull the the blade away for a few seconds. This will keep it from overheating. Add another drop of oil or two if necessary.
- 5). Polish the crystal using the diamond grinder. This will clean the edges once the cut is finished. Start from a low-grit diamond wheel and gradually progress to higher grits to polish and smooth your crystal.
- 6). Vacuum all the silicate dust while still wearing your respirator. Do not remove it unless you are outside your shop because inhaling silicate dust is very dangerous. Before handling your crystal, wash it first with soap and water.
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