Drilling Micro Holes/ better tools?

Stronzo · Post by **Stronzo** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:47 pm

Hi Guys

Looking for a better quality tool for drilling micro holes

I don't have a steady hand for a dremel. I tried with the flex shaft and I still break the bits.

So far I've been using a pin vise, but after awhile carpel tunnel kicks in.
The pin vise feels like its too short for me. It also dose not hold the bit perfectly centered. I do break a few bits every know and then.
I also have a set that are mounted on a 1/8 shaft. I tried that with the pin vise but they broke right away.
The only way I got to use these bits is just rolling them with my thumb and index finger. Yes, that dose get painful after awhile.

o2b4wln · Post by **o2b4wln** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:57 pm

I use the Tamiya drill combined with the Proxxon 28940 Set of MICROMOT Steel Collets, 6-Piece.

http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-74041-Elec ... B000J46WZ4

It does a great job drilling and my wrists thank me for the update.

Good luck.

Andrew Gorman · Post by **Andrew Gorman** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 5:46 pm

For hand drilling I've been using a 3/8" drill chuck as a pin vise- much larger and easier to hold. If it is not a REALLY good chuck. a mini drill bit adapter will make any chuck work with 60-80 size bits.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/metal ... Alh38P8HAQ

Tiny bits will break- that's why they are often sold in sets of 10. On plastic, speed helps. Dremel (and others) makes a drill press adapter that is not that expensive and should work much better. If you want to go whole hog, haunt eBay and Craigslist for a "sensitive drill press" or just buy yourself a Proxxon. Tiny holes are a pain to drill. If you don't need precision I have just chucked a stright pin in a Dremel and bored out a slightly larger hole- the speed and friction do the work, not elegant and fragile cutting edges and flutes.

irishtrek · Post by **irishtrek** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:24 pm

The reason the drill bits keep breaking is because you're pressing on the pin vise too hard I know because I've broke a couple of tiny drill bits myself, also take your time and don't rush.

TREKKRIFFIC · Post by **TREKKRIFFIC** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:20 pm

o2b4wln wrote:I use the Tamiya drill combined with the Proxxon 28940 Set of MICROMOT Steel Collets, 6-Piece.

http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-74041-Elec ... B000J46WZ4

It does a great job drilling and my wrists thank me for the update.

Good luck.

Thanks for posting this information. I have been looking for a set of collets to fit my Tamiya hobby drill for a long time and the Proxxon set looks perfect!

Stronzo · Post by **Stronzo** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:34 pm

o2b4wln wrote:I use the Tamiya drill combined with the Proxxon 28940 Set of MICROMOT Steel Collets, 6-Piece.

http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-74041-Elec ... B000J46WZ4

It does a great job drilling and my wrists thank me for the update.

Good luck.

Thanks I'll check that out

Bellerophon · Post by **Bellerophon** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 10:01 am

Not for everyone, but I use those resharpened micro carbide bits that come in random assortments from places like Harbor Freight. They have a 1/8" shank and come in sizes down to #80. My set has lots of #80's, which is good because they're easy to break.

I use the smaller diameter bits in my Dremel at the lowest speed to drill holes in styrene. I steady the hand holding the tool against the model part to give me fine control like I'm using a pencil. Since the diameter of the bit is so small, the speed is pretty slow despite the RPM, so I don't have any trouble with heat build-up. They're not drill bits, either, but end mills, so I can mill out a pocket of any size or shape, not just round holes.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 1:06 pm

I'd suggest the Dremel 10.8 volt cordless. Runs slower than the plug-in ones and has enough size & weight to steady things. You can get everything lock into position which reduces tremors and such.

And buy your bits from Widget Supply. Cheapest prices I've found. 10 for $2.29 https://www.widgetsupply.com/

SpaceRanger1 · Post by **SpaceRanger1** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 1:50 pm

A "pilot hole" helps. I use a needle or compass point chucked in a drill holder to mark the position of the hole before drilling.

Stronzo · Post by **Stronzo** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:29 pm

Bellerophon wrote:Not for everyone, but I use those resharpened micro carbide bits that come in random assortments from places like Harbor Freight. They have a 1/8" shank and come in sizes down to #80. My set has lots of #80's, which is good because they're easy to break.

I use the smaller diameter bits in my Dremel at the lowest speed to drill holes in styrene. I steady the hand holding the tool against the model part to give me fine control like I'm using a pencil. Since the diameter of the bit is so small, the speed is pretty slow despite the RPM, so I don't have any trouble with heat build-up. They're not drill bits, either, but end mills, so I can mill out a pocket of any size or shape, not just round holes.

I use those also, but I just end up working them by hand. Hence the carpel tunnel

Stronzo · Post by **Stronzo** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:32 pm

Kylwell wrote:I'd suggest the Dremel 10.8 volt cordless. Runs slower than the plug-in ones and has enough size & weight to steady things. You can get everything lock into position which reduces tremors and such.

And buy your bits from Widget Supply. Cheapest prices I've found. 10 for $2.29 https://www.widgetsupply.com/

I'll check that out, thanks.

I also thought my dremel was too fast. That was why I stopped using it and just went by hand