Best Pearl Reamer

[Dianamoon]

I couldn't think where else to post this.

I am a new beader/pearl stringer - not an expert. I learned about pearl knotting on Youtube. My only problem is that the method I prefer requires a double pass back through the two end beads.

When you use a Griffin silk card with the tiny filament at the end, this is no problem. But I've attempted to use other stringing materials with a collapsible eye, and with the double thread, etc., it becomes a problem. The opening of the pearl is maybe .5mms. With the threads, you've added several extra millimeters and I couldn't pull the needle through.

So I thought, get a pearl reamer. I bought one from Amazon and it was a nightmare - way too big. I don't know if we are allowed to link to items we dislike, so I won't. It was all metal, not diamond coated, and had ridges. All the other reamers on Amazon always get a few one-star reviews that sour me on them. I won't throw away money buying on Ebay or Amazon unless I get a recommendation from someone who has used the item. Luckily I was able to get a refund from Amazon.

What do people here recommend?

 

[BWeaves]

I have not had good luck buying reamers, either.

I have found that at least 3 of my pearls will have bigger holes than the others. So a long as the necklace is not graduated, I can usually pull out the pearls with the bigger holes and save them for the end.

It also helps to have something like a hemostat where you can grab the end of the needle and pull it through the hole.

I also use a doubled thread to bead with, but on the last 3 pearls, I'll pull out one of the extra threads so there is one less to have to bunch up in the pearls.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I've used this one and it works fine for widening holes:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103858...r-24v-10000-rpm?ref=pla_similar_listing_top-2

However the last time I tried to drill out a glued-in knot, it didn't do the job, and I am now considering getting a Dremel.

 

[pearlescence]

Get some 1mm drill bits and drill the hole larger. Most pearls are drilled to 0.7mm. Life is far too short to ream pearls (they break anyway)

 

[JerseyPearl]

Words of wisdom, Wendy.

If you go the Dremel route, be sure to buy a clamp made especially for pearls...I own a pearl drill, but didn't have a big enough drill bit to make the hole I needed...the Dremel came in very handy, HOWEVER, I was scared to death I was going to drill my fingers off. Kind of like a bad bagel slicing accident...shivers...I bought larger drill bits, and they've just arrived from Japan! I love the internet.

 

[Katbran]

I highly recommend the Dremel ..take two seconds to redrill the hole . Wen pearls has inexpensive drill bits in all sizes.

 

[pearlescence]

You only drill your own thumb a few times JP. We now use a smaller drill than the one in the video (via the P website) as it died. But it is still a regular putting up shelves drill. You need the power/speed to drill quickly otherwise the pearl just sits there getting hotter. A proper Dremel may have the power, I don't know, but the non-dremel hand helds usually don't.

 

[SunSeeker]

I use a Dremel, its fast, easy, and precise. But like JP, the 1st time I used it, I had serious cold-sweat shivers & saw flashes of headlines, "woman found in basement studio, passed out due to loss of blood, and numerous cuts on hands.." haha. I was fine, just keep a steady grip on the pearl. Life is toooo short to ream by hand

 

[amti]

Too funny, Sunseeker!

Is there a technique that works for holding the dremel and pearl so they don't move?

 

[pearlescence]

you can see how we do it on our video of drilling. only your thumb gets drilled. brace with elbow on the workbench

 

[SunSeeker]

Wendy, can you please post a link to your vid? Thanks!

 

[pearlescence]

Home page of the website, top right, videos

 

[JerseyPearl]

Just a side note, my Dremel is a pretty powerful little tool. I love it...and it works great on all kinds of jobs. Cleaned my shower grout and the blower fans on my Vent-A-Hood (the parts that don't easily come off and pop into the dishwasher). Took about 10 minutes...last time I cleaned the hood, it took me over 4 hours. I spent an afternoon at HomeDepot a few weeks ago in one of their demo classes on how to use the dremel around the house. Needless to say, I then bought every last cleaning and polishing bit they had (not the kinds used in jewelry making)

 

[Pearly-Whites]

A little quick tip...

Irwin Quick Grip will allow you to clamp down a pearl tightly and keep the pearl and your fingers intact. Available from your local hardware store or Amazon.

 

[Katbran]

PW - How funny...I have those sitting on my shelf and never thought to try them to hold the pearls lol I use my fingers and frankly have not even come close to drilling fingers. You bring the pearl..to the drill... I keep the speed low and just drill and back off..drill and back off etc . Firm grip and ALWAYS wearing safety goggles. Worst that happens is the pearl flys off when bit snaps .

 

[JerseyPearl]

A little quick tip...

Irwin Quick Grip will allow you to clamp down a pearl tightly and keep the pearl and your fingers intact. Available from your local hardware store or Amazon.

Wow, those look great...why did I not know about these? They make my old vice grips look plain silly.

 

[LLoydsJewelry]

Pearl Reaming my experience

Pearl Reaming my experience

I couldn't think where else to post this.

I am a new beader/pearl stringer - not an expert. I learned about pearl knotting on Youtube. My only problem is that the method I prefer requires a double pass back through the two end beads.

When you use a Griffin silk card with the tiny filament at the end, this is no problem. But I've attempted to use other stringing materials with a collapsible eye, and with the double thread, etc., it becomes a problem. The opening of the pearl is maybe .5mms. With the threads, you've added several extra millimeters and I couldn't pull the needle through.

So I thought, get a pearl reamer. I bought one from Amazon and it was a nightmare - way too big. I don't know if we are allowed to link to items we dislike, so I won't. It was all metal, not diamond coated, and had ridges. All the other reamers on Amazon always get a few one-star reviews that sour me on them. I won't throw away money buying on Ebay or Amazon unless I get a recommendation from someone who has used the item. Luckily I was able to get a refund from Amazon.

What do people here recommend?

my experience

 

[LLoydsJewelry]

I have a lot of experience reaming pearls. If you use my suggestions please be careful around the pearl drill If You find you are creating much dust-use a mask. I use a dremil that is variable speed with adjustable chuck option Around 1100 rpm works best. I recommend a real pearl drill bit from WEN on Etsy. The 1mm size will likely be what you need. Drill from both sides. I use some vise grip plyers I have made into a pearl handler by using a drum sander with the dremil to make a round opening plyer. I probably wouldn't use these plyers with expensive pearls, but have had no problem on Freshies. Be careful not to over tighten a plyer. Another better solution might be to go to a lower diameter string.

pearl drill bit link below
https://www.etsy.com/listing/231888...earch_query=pearl drill bits&ref=sr_gallery_1

 

[pattye]

What a great topic!! Occasionally I use an electric reamer similar to this one (prefer over the battery one I had). This one goes to 18,000 rpm, mine is old and only goes to 12,000rpm.

Will definitely be getting the Irwin clamps, they look awesome. own an older dremel; badly need classes in how to use properly.

Thank you, all!

 

[SunSeeker]

good advice, Katbran. Yes, that is what I do as well - bring the pearl to the drill, not the other way around!