I've been wanting a trickling water feature forever. I have one of these birdbaths:

I'm thinking of drilling the top piece for tubing, creating a bit of a lip in one end, and creating a reservoir/return basin below for the pump to live in. Anyone done anything similar? Does anyone recognize the type of rock? Wondering what I'll need to drill through, and to grind the lip.

Just FYI the top piece and base are not attached to each-other in any way, and the base has a large hole (2"?) drilled vertically through the center.
Edit- actual real life pic of things in question.






Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2024 11:16PM by Black.

Diamond core bit with water for coolant.
See if a local tool rental place has something.

[www.youtube.com]

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Athens, OH

Quote
archipirata
Diamond core bit with water for coolant.
See if a local tool rental place has something.

[www.youtube.com]

Thanks, I don't think the hole needs to be more than 3/8."
It's a birdbath so I can just drill from inside with water in it.
Any idea why this is so expensive? I mean, even after the $11,000 rebate... [www.menards.com]

Is this an appropriate bit? I'm geussing I need to get through about 1 1/2". [www.menards.com]

You shouldn't need a hole saw bit, just a regular stone/masonry drill bit to drill through the stone. Just go really slow so it doesn't crack.

Agree with MikeF - a hammer drill or a SDS/SDS+ drill with an appropriate size masonry bit

...and to grind the lip

An inexpensive angle grinder with a masonry grinding disc would easily do this. Be sure to wear safety eyewear and a mask. Harbor Freight has one for $15 but maybe you could borrow one from a friend.

Edit: The hard part might be making the water drip off the lip to the next level, instead of running down the surface of the rock and into the ground.

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Northern California Coast



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2024 08:15PM by steve....

Quote
John B.
Agree with MikeF - a hammer drill or a SDS/SDS+ drill with an appropriate size masonry bit

So no chance with a 'regular' drill?
I just returned a hammer drill 2 weeks ago, will have to re-borrow it.

Quote
steve...
...and to grind the lip

An inexpensive angle grinder with a masonry grinding disc would easily do this. Be sure to wear safety eyewear and a mask. Harbor Freight has one for $15 but maybe you could borrow one from a friend.

Edit: The hard part might be making the water drip off the lip to the next level, instead of running down the surface of the rock and into the ground.

I have an angle grinder. Was looking at various stone working tools for rotary tool. Good thought about dripping, will need to research that. Sounds like a good argument for going with pond liner rather than a preformed resevoir.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2024 10:15PM by Black.

“Does anyone recognize the type of rock?” Looks like concrete with a very thin decorative stone layer.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Quote
Speedy
“Does anyone recognize the type of rock?” Looks like concrete with a very thin decorative stone layer.

It's solid stone. Concrete doesn't survive our winters without cracking.

Stone Age Creations offers products that are hand-caved from 100% natural stone as created by mothernature. From benches to birdbaths, fountains to fire pits, animals to accents, Stone Age Creations offerunique, fine quality products that feature unmistakable character.Our products have endured outdoorenvironments for thousands of years and will continue to do so for generation after generation. StoneAge Creations is truly a ROCK SOLID investment.

Contacts:
Donna Nelson ~ Sales Rep ~ donnaknelson@msn.com ~ 253-304-7110
Terea Donley ~ Customer Service ~ sales@stoneagecreations.com ~ 419-929-2240
Ron Trent ~ Sales Rep ~rgtrent55@aol.com ~ 916-425-3325
Bob Willard ~ rwillard@stoneagecreations.com ~ 419-929-2240

Nice!

Quote
Black

Quote
Speedy
“Does anyone recognize the type of rock?” Looks like concrete with a very thin decorative stone layer.

It's solid stone. Concrete doesn't survive our winters without cracking.

Stone Age Creations offers products that are hand-caved from 100% natural stone as created by mothernature. From benches to birdbaths, fountains to fire pits, animals to accents, Stone Age Creations offerunique, fine quality products that feature unmistakable character.Our products have endured outdoorenvironments for thousands of years and will continue to do so for generation after generation. StoneAge Creations is truly a ROCK SOLID investment.

Contacts:
Donna Nelson ~ Sales Rep ~ donnaknelson@msn.com ~ 253-304-7110
Terea Donley ~ Customer Service ~ sales@stoneagecreations.com ~ 419-929-2240
Ron Trent ~ Sales Rep ~rgtrent55@aol.com ~ 916-425-3325
Bob Willard ~ rwillard@stoneagecreations.com ~ 419-929-2240

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.