Tiny drill bits

[Guest]

I was in the Hannants shop today (They finally have a burgeoning stock by the way) and I bought a b0x of tiny, tiny drill bits - No 61-80.

The main reason is to drill holes in my 1/72 Camel for the riggging. I have a dremel but the chucks are too big. Anyone got any ideas please?

Many thanks

Aidan

[stona]

A decent pin vice. Some cheapo ones won't tighten onto the smaller bits.......ask me how I know

Steve

[Guest]

Thanks Steve. Believe it or not I've never heard of these. How do I determine a decnt one please?

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

You might also look out for the Micro drills with the 2.35mm shanks, that way they will fit your dremmel, I use them with my Minicraft drill setup

[Guest]

these are the ones i use and have had no problem with them

20PC HSS Twist Drills & 4PC Pin Vice For Airfix Craft Modeling Jewellers Tools | eBay

[Gern]

Hi Aiden.

I have one of these. It goes down to 0.3mm with no problems (that's the smallest drill I use although it looks like it will hold smaller sizes) and has a good, hefty feel to it in your hand.

Shesto Double Ended Pin Vice | eBay

Gern

[stona]

Thanks Steve. Believe it or not I've never heard of these. How do I determine a decnt one please?

Aidan I just tried to figure out who made mine but it seems unmarked!

Luckily I see some others have stepped in with some useful help.

The problem with at least one cheap one I had (possibly from Maplin?) that even with the "chuck" tightened as much as possible it wouldn't grip very fine bits. It would grip a bit with a 2.5mm shank (as per Ade's advice) but my bits ain't like that

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

The problem with at least one cheap one I had (possibly from Maplin?) that even with the "chuck" tightened as much as possible it wouldn't grip very fine bits.

I find with some ultra thin drill bits which the chuck will not clamp the drill is cured by cutting a small bit of paper and

remove the chuck head and place the tiny piece of paper inside two of the jaws, then screw back on the chuck head

then put in your tiny drill bit! The jaws will grip the drill then! Works for me anyway...lol

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I use ones similar to these, they fit my mini drill fine and I can use them with just my hands if need be without having to put them into a pin vise.

PCB Carbide Turbo Shank Micro Drills 0.85 NEW & UNUSED | eBay

[Guest]

I have a dremel but the chucks are too big. Anyone got any ideas please?Many thanks

Aidan

Aidan I would leave the Dremel for metal etc. For plastic you definetly need the pin vice type. You can get sets which will take all sizes.

The Dremel is a dangerous thing in the world of plastics if you are not careful it will go berserk & wreck the piece. With a pin vice you will get very accurate & well drilled holes in the time it takes to get the dremel out & plugged in.

Have a look 4-Piece Pin Vice Set : Precision Tools : Maplin Electronics

Laurie

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

.The Dremel is a dangerous thing in the world of plastics if you are not careful it will go berserk & wreck the piece. With a pin vice you will get very accurate & well drilled holes in the time it takes to get the dremel out & plugged in.

Laurie

Have to disagree there, I use a variable speed control with my minicraft drill, and with all the cutting, grinding, sanding and drilling options its a desirable peice of equipment to me, but a pin vise is an affordable option if money is an issue.

Adrian

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replies gents. I have ordered a pin vice which I have never heard of. Another thingsI have learnt thanks to you guys!

Aidan

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replies gents. I have ordered a pin vice which I have never heard of. Another thingsI have learnt thanks to you guys!Aidan

Aidan all the pin vices have different chuck sizes so you have to pick & choose to suit the pin vice to match the size of the drill to be used. Best thing is a set which will fit all drills of the mini size.

Laurie

[Guest]

I use an old "pin vice" it's basically a mini drill chuck on a nurled metal stick

It's not exactly made for mini drill bits but ( to answer a question mentioned previously) i wrap the mini drill bit shafts with a turn or two of masking tape, this gives the chuck something to grab onto, it's not the most secure way of holding the drill bit but at the end of the day it's only used for drilling soft plastic and balsa ...

[Guest]

Thanks Laurie - I wasn't being clear. It was a set that I orderd so hopefully it will cover my range of tiny drill bits.

Aidan