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Small Diamond Core Drills

Small Diamond Core Drills

Eternal Tools

SKU:SDCD1100

Drill Smooth, Precise Holes in Glass and Stone

These small diamond core drills (1mm to 3mm) are designed for accuracy and control when working with delicate materials like sea glass, beads, gemstones, ceramic, glazed pottery, beach pottery, pebbles, slate, petrified wood, optical material, and composites.The hollow, cylindrical shape allows water to flow through the centre of the bit, reducing heat and extending the life of the tool. Especially ideal for beginners, glass artists, and jewellers seeking clean, consistent results.

When to Use Small Diamond Core Drills

Choose small diamond core drills when accuracy, delicacy, and reduced heat build-up are essential, especially on materials prone to cracking. These drills are popular with artists, jewellers, and glassworkers for projects involving sea glass, pottery, beads and similar materials.

For very hard materials like quartz, ruby, flint, fossilized bone or porcelain, opt instead for our Small Diamond Drill Bits, which offer greater durability and coverage on tougher surfaces.

  • Use on slow speeds. We recommend not exceeding 10,000 rpm
  • Use little pressure. Let the weight of your rotary tool do the work
  • Use with plenty of cold water

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Please read on for usage instructions, chuck and collet requirements and further information...

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What Are Small Diamond Core Drills?

Small diamond core drills are hollow all the way through, allowing water or lubricant to pass through the centre while drilling. This helps reduce heat build-up, prevents cracks in delicate materials, and extends the life of the drill bit.

They are ideal for drilling small, clean holes in sea glass, tile, beads, beach pottery, ceramics and similar materials.

Some users also use these core drills to extract small cylindrical cores from softer materials. While we can’t guarantee a perfect result every time, many customers report great success.

To avoid clogging, drill in and out (up and down) to dislodge the debris. If material becomes stuck inside the drill core, it often clears when you begin the next hole. Alternatively, use a fine wire brush to clean it out.

How to Use Diamond Core Drills

You'll need an adjustable chuck or collet to hold these smaller shank sizes. Please refer to the 'Technical' tab for exact dimensions.

If you're using a Dremel rotary tool, we recommend the Dremel 4486 Multi Chuck for quick and secure changes.

Top tips for best results:

  • Use plenty of cold water — keep your work submerged and change the water if it turns cloudy
  • Use slow speeds — do not exceed 10,000 RPM
  • Use light pressure — let the drill do the work

Need to Drill Quartz or Tougher Materials?

These core drills are best suited to medium-hard materials. If you're working with quartz, flint, thick shell, porcelain or high-Mohs gemstones, use our Small Diamond Drill Bits instead. They offer more coverage and durability on extra-tough surfaces.

More Help & Drilling Guides

New to using diamond drill bits? Explore our Tutorials section before you start:

Customer Reviews

"I work in the Dept. of Facilities at the Natural History Museum and operate electron microscopes and microprobes. The material we analyse is usually rock, and we use the small core drills as well as 5mm, 26mm, and 30mm to cut cores." — John Spratt, Natural History Museum, London
"I use the diamond core drills on glass about 1mm–3mm thick and can normally drill between 200 and 300 holes. The best ever result was 450 holes with one drill bit. I use slow speeds, gently pump up and down, and drill constantly under water." — Ulrich Braunbeck

Disclaimer: Using rotary tools near water has not, to our knowledge, been endorsed by any rotary tool manufacturers. If you choose to drill with attachments submerged or near water, you do so at your own risk. Electricity and water can be dangerous.

Diamond grit 120# is precisely electroplated onto a hardened steel shank

1.00mm Diameter core drill

  • Overall length: 60mm
  • Diamond working length: 3.0mm - 5.0mm
  • Shank: 0.75mm
  • Tolerance +/-0.1mm

1.50mm Diameter core drill

  • Overall length: 65mm
  • Diamond working length: 6.0mm - 8.0mm
  • Shank: 1.48mm

2.00mm Diameter core drill

  • Overall length: 65mm
  • Diamond working length: 4.0mm - 6.0mm
  • Shank: 1.50mm

2.50mm Diameter core drill

  • Overall length: 65mm
  • Diamond working length: 5.0-6.0mmmm
  • Shank: 2.0mm

3.00mm Diameter core drill

  • Overall length: 50mm
  • Diamond working length: 4.0mm
  • Shank: 2.70mm
  • Tolerance +0.1mm
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