They can be shaped with new belts the same as regular handle material.Run the belts slow.Don't let the stone get hot.Holes can be drilled with a masonry carbide bit or with a diamond bit.Run the drill slow and keep the stone cool.Have a backer board under the stone.Drill from outside to the inside of the scale,it may chip a bit as the drill comes through.A dam of putty around the hole area will hold some water to cool and lubricate the drill. Another way to drill stone is to use abrasive drilling.Chuck a piece of rod (HSS or Stainless) the size of the hole desired in the drill press.The end of the "drill" should be flat with several shallow cuts making an asterisk pattern.Make a putty dam around the hole area.Put a small amount of carbide grit (100 grit is good) in the center and add a little liquid soap and a few drops of water (to make a paste) .Coarse valve grinding compound does the same job,too. Lower the slowly rotating "drill" into the grit and press down,lift up a bit,press,lift,etc.It goes fairly fast,and makes a perfect hole.For larger holes , use tubing or pipe with slots cut around the edge.
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