discussion Micro Milling/Router bits

[AlanG]

I have been trying to mill/router some holes into some plastic for the last few days, trying various items such as micro drill bits and hypodermic needles. The drill bits are ok but very bendy and fragile. The needles do work but you have to be ultra careful with them.

Question to the masses is. Are there (affordable) tools out there that can mill/router elongated holes out there that are between 0.3mm and 1.0mm?

 

[KarlW]

There are Dremel bits that I've used in the past, but not model related, I'll have to check the size.
What tool are you using?
Edit: The bits I have are 2.0mm, but I've just found these.

 

[AlanG]

What tool are you using?

A pin vice at the moment. I need control over the tools as the elongated holes are very small

Never thought about jeweler engraving tools before. Would these work?

 

[KarlW]

A pin vice at the moment. I need control over the tools as the elongated holes are very small

Never thought about jeweler engraving tools before. Would these work?

A jewellers coping saw might work, feed the blade through a hole and then attach to the handle,

 

[AlanG]

I think maybe i might have described what i am trying to incorrectly. The 'hole' i am trying to make does not go all the way through the plastic. I suppose i am trying to scribe/chisel/mill a gouge out of the plastic. I can make a series of 0.3mm holes and try to connect them but the hole looks as rough as a badger's backside.

I might just have to try and persevere with the drill bit and needle.

 

[Gary MacKenzie]

some of the small desktop modeling/engraving routers may have bits that size , but they usually get computer controlled and high speed motors driving them.

example I am thinking of @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/EsportsMJJ-Degree-3-175mm-Carbide-Engraving/dp/B074QMX34V

 

[AlanG]

Think i might have found something that resembles something that i could use.

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/tu...r-with-5-blades-0-2-0-4-0-6-0-8-1-0mm-p17157/

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[Tim Marlow]

If I understand this ( I may not) what you are trying to do is basically cut a groove into a workpiece. If so, something like an acrylic sheet cutter or Olaf P cutter might suit. They were called scrawkers in my day, and you had to make your own, but these days they are available off the shelf…... Tamiya’s panel scriber is just an expensive version of the same tool……..
https://olfacutters.co.uk/Olfa-PC-L...MIpv6694eE_AIVyNDtCh2KbQsZEAQYBSABEgLTNfD_BwE
They work on the pull stroke, cutting a spiral of plastic out of the groove. They don’t leave a ridge after use like a scriber……

 

[Mark1]

Whe ive had to make small holes and had trouble with the drill bit moving around on the surface ive heated a needle with a lighter and just melted the hole i need,this might work for you.

 

[Guest]

Know exactly what your attempting to do , known as a slot cut in woodworking.The only thing I can add is surely the cutter must melt the plastic as high speed is needed , when routing wood the cutter speed is around 18000 rpm depending on the dia of the cutter .

 

[Neil Merryweather]

I don't know what the surface is like,or how many you want to do, but have you considered milling out a larger area and then filling up to a piece of 0.3mm styrene the length of the slot? Make the styrene over depth and use a release agent. When the filler is dry remove the styrene and make good the surface .
Good luck with whichever method you settle on.
N

 

[Mr Bowcat]

I found this 1mm cutter, but nothing smaller. https://trenddirectuk.com/trend-2-0x1-4tc-single-flute-cutter-1mm-diameter.html

 

[stillp]

I found 0.8mm: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SainSmart-...t=&hvlocphy=1007033&hvtargid=pla-663945169862
Pete

 

[stillp]

Or these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09BCHQ...trial&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1

 

[Gern]

Maybe you could cut the slots all the way through then fit a strip of plasticard at the back leaving your groove the right depth?

 

[Ian M]

Think i might have found something that resembles something that i could use.

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/tu...r-with-5-blades-0-2-0-4-0-6-0-8-1-0mm-p17157/

Thanks for the advice guys

Was just going to suggest these, for once I looked first to see what others have said.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Was just going to suggest these, for once I looked first to see what others have said.

You don’t want to do that Ian, it spoils the fun :tongue-out3:

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Alan, I have these router bits from Japan at 0.5 and 0.7 mm. Use them for my figure sculpting mouths and ears.

Haven't seen them anywhere else except upstairs on this corner shop along the main Akihabara road near Yellow Submarine.

Cheers,
Richard aka Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

I think it's a dental burr.

Cheers,
Richard aka Wabble

 

[Tim Marlow]

Those are dental burs Richard….open wide….this won’t hurt!