Has anyone used this for stones and shells to make jewelry and is it simple enough for a 12 year old?
1997232
All you would need is the correct drill bits, then let the drill bench press do the work. Do not force it.
1997233
I have used it for a stone for my wife's bracelet and a pearl for a pendant. The big issue is in the drill bits the press is strong enough. You must let it do its job slowly, and get out the drill once in a while to blow dust off. Don't try to force it through. For a drill bit I would pic diamond ones. You will be "sanding" your way in so it would take some time but it's the safest method from my experience, both for the machine and the beads. Use a good bench press, don't expect to be able to hold the bead with your hands while drilling.
1997234
If it is a very cautious child. It could really hurt if not used properly. Yes it would work on stones and shells if used on a slow speed.
1099128
Don't know, I am just starting to use this since I was 12, back in the '60s :-/ That would be a question for the jewelers. Apologies .
1781930
It was great for my 12 year old son but I could use it too in a pinch. It's rather light for an adult in my opinion but if you're still learning it would suffice.
122645
Like most I would say it depends on the 12 year old in question. Its a good tool when used responsibly but you as the parent are the only one who can determine that.
799620
I've had mine for about a year so far, and had very minimal problems with it. Actually I'm pretty impressed with it after 50+ projects. However, I doubt that it has the motor strength to carve stone with it. Your best bet would be to speak with Dan at Oliver Machinery, he'll be able to tell you for sure. I'd agree with the statement that it is a hobby machine, not for production.
1279572
My daughter is 7 and she uses it and can make bracelets on her own. Some of the designs are simple chains, etc, which are pretty easy to get the hang of. I have to help her for some of the more difficult bracelets, but she's always involved picking out the colors and putting them on the loom, etc. The worst thing about it is all the little rubber bands that we're picking up constantly! :-)
1865018
yes I had used this last October to have kids make beaded breast cancer bracelets. We had no trouble.
1155351
I use it to polish sapphire's and ruby's for me at takes a while as I start it with the stones very rough and have to change the sand several times to get them to the stage of polishing them. electricity is not much but it is noisy so you may want to put it in a room by it self. try it for about an hour than check them as make sure you get the right sand polish for them too coarse can scratch them. I bought mine about 6 months ago and it is still working fine today.
1810262
not in my opinion, no. My 12 year old asked for it and enjoyed building it. He really loves mine craft.
295120
I think so. If you have the fun loom starter kit. Also you can find many of "how to" videos, Look up FunLoom on YouTube. Most of the videos are done by kids. I'm sure that you and your child will have fun looming. My daughter is 16, she loves it. She likes to teach me to make different types of bracelets. I hope I helped you out. Have fun!
380562
My 4 year old understood how to play with it, so it will definitely be appropriate for your 12 year old. These guys have done am amazing job making electronic components easy to use and a lot of fun.
2067405
Lisa... I have never used it to work on jewelry. It is a heavy rugged tool and to be honest with you, as far as using it for precision work like jewelry, I don't think that this is what you want. Shop for a Soldering Iron instead of a Soldering Gun. Hope this helps... Rico
1396393
I would not recommend it for under 7 years old. Lots of small pieces and can be intricate to assemble.
839483
water and it works amazing but it takes some getting used to. also i think the angles are inverted so take care of that. I recommend putting duct tape on the back of the stones and writing which grit they are as the ink on the stone will where off
1131138
It should work fine,but one word of caution. I bought this for my son and he said after about ten uses the stones seemed worn out. Like the diamonds had come off.
1218769
I have used a small, handheld torch (Blazer GB4001 Stingray Butane Torch) on this clay with good results. This will do earring or pendant sized objects.
587324
I use it to make jewelry and love it. I like the pistol grip handle which makes it easy to use. It is just as quite as any rotary tool