which file to use for resin?

[lindasie]

Hi everyone,

I am very new to the forum (as in 20 seconds ago!!) but I am hoping that I can already ask for you help...
I have started making resin beads (very exciting!) and after just drilling my first hole in a bead I so need to buy a file!
In the rings and things shop there are so many but some are very specific for metal work etc. so I am hoping
that someone can point me into the right direction..

Thanks in advance,

Linda

[Polly]

Hi Linda,

If you only need to clean up the hole, not the uh ... whole ... bead, then I suggest a bead reamer (manual if you need just a tiny bit of cleanup around the hole, battery operated if you want to enlarge the whole hole).

Whenever filing or drilling resin, hold the item underwater to prevent breathing the fine particles. Drilling underwater also prevents overheating, which might discolor your resin or items embedded in the resin.

If that doesn't answer your question, let me know in more detail which part(s) you want to file for which reasons, and I'll get a better answer for you.  I don't personally use resin, but I have an experienced pool of people to ask! 

[Russ Nobbs]

If not under water, at least wear a dust mask, like a mask used when sanding sheet rock.

It;s not a good idea to breath the dust from any sort of sanding, filing, grinding, polishing or drilling process in any sort of material. Some, like shell, are much more harmful than others but dust in general is best kept out of your lungs.

[lindasie]

Thanks for the advice, I didn't use a mask but I will surely buy one today!!
I attempted (not very succesfully) to drill(with a small metal drill bit) a hole through a resin pendant and even though the drill went through
the whole pendant, i cannot get an eyepin through it and the edges are rough. So I am looking for a tool to clean
up the residu and to make sure I can put a jumpring through it.
Like I said, soooo new at this and I am using the sherri haab book and the Rings and Things starter kit as guides.

thanks for your help!!

[Polly]

In that case, the battery operated bead reamer is exactly the tool you want.

(And if you don't already have a pair of safety glasses, here is a nice $4 pair! They are a good idea when drilling/filing any material, snipping eye pins, etc.)

[lindasie]

Thanks a million Polly, i'll order that one then and use some sandpaper for the sanding around the beadhole.
Exciting!