Drilling Micro Holes/ better tools?

Got a question about techniques, materials or other aspects of physically building a model? This is the place to ask.

Moderators: DasPhule, Moderators

Post Reply
Stronzo
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:03 pm

Drilling Micro Holes/ better tools?

Post by Stronzo »

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.
User avatar
o2b4wln
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 7:26 pm
Location: Moab or Tellico

Post by o2b4wln »

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
Posts: 2748
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2002 4:56 pm
Location: Escaped from darkest suburbia!

Post by Andrew Gorman »

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
Posts: 5757
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:04 am
Location: wouldn't you like to know

Post by irishtrek »

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.
Normal?? What is normal??
TREKKRIFFIC
Posts: 3204
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:37 pm
Location: Fremont, CA (near Milpitas north of Golfland USA)
Contact:

Post by TREKKRIFFIC »

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!
"Well--we'll be safe for now--thank goodness we're in a bowling alley--"
Stronzo
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:03 pm

Post by Stronzo »

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
User avatar
Bellerophon
Posts: 2619
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:00 pm
Location: 13 miles southwest of Grovers Mill
Contact:

Post by Bellerophon »

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.
But isn't it all Klingon opera?

http://bellerophon-modeler.blogspot.com/
User avatar
Kylwell
Moderator
Posts: 29649
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2003 9:25 pm
Location: Lakewood, CO
Contact:

Post by Kylwell »

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/
Abolish Alliteration
User avatar
SpaceRanger1
Posts: 890
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:56 pm
Location: Carrollton, Texas

Post by SpaceRanger1 »

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.
Michael McMurtrey
IPMS-USA #1746
IPMS-Canada #1426
Carrollton, TX

"Yup, exactly what SpaceRanger1 is saying. 100%" — seashark
Stronzo
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:03 pm

Post by Stronzo »

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
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:03 pm

Post by Stronzo »

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
Post Reply