Tiny blades

[rdatelle]

Hi Everyone, I have a really strange question. I bought some of those tiny blades from Mike's workshop, like a # 70 and so on. My question is, How do you get the blade, like a # 2 or # 3 in that tiny hole. It just doesn't fit. Do you have to drill a couple of pilot holes side by side. I  have a pattern that has very small cuts and my 1/16 drill bit is to big. What do I do.

[Scrappile]

When you go to Mike's and other places to buy bits it usually tells you  what size bit to use for the size blade you are using.  For instance, at Mike's site for each blade size it shops a bit size to you.  It is the last column on the chart.  For most  #3 blades size blades you would use a #65 bit.  A few call for a #64.

 

It is a tight fit most times.  I have a pin if run through the hole sometimes to make it a hair bigger if I cannot get the blade through.

[OLD WORMY]

Go to Mikesworkshop.com and there is a chart showing which drill bit to use for each size blade.

[JustLarry]

Go to this link.  Find the blade you are going to use and to the far right is the size of the drill bit you need.

 

https://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm

 

Larry

[rdatelle]

Thanks guys, I'll check out Mike's again. I think the bit I have is a 70. I'll look at the 65. Thanks Ralph.

[DWSUDEKUM]

Hi Everyone, I have a really strange question. I bought some of those tiny blades from Mike's workshop, like a # 70 and so on. My question is, How do you get the blade, like a # 2 or # 3 in that tiny hole. It just doesn't fit. Do you have to drill a couple of pilot holes side by side. I  have a pattern that has very small cuts and my 1/16 drill bit is to big. What do I do.

You will not be able to put a #2 or #3 into a #70 wire size hole they are just too big.  A #1 or 3/0 spiral or a jeweler's blade or a 2/0 blade.. ok.  The #70 drill bit drills a hole that is 0292 in diameter.  The 2/0 blade is .025 in width so you can see that it would be a tight fit but would fit.  You can attempt to drill #70 holes that close together however that is very difficult with drills of that size with ordinary drill presses.  A #65 is your better choice as you can put a #3 through that hole. Hope this helps Ralph. 

 

DW

[rdatelle]

Thanks DW. I just ordered some #64 and #65 from Mike.  I mostly use #3 or #2 reverse. I don't know why I got a 71. Thanks again.

[jerry1939]

I am a bottom feeder. Also put blue tape on top & bottom. After drilling, I use an awl to create a cone shape on the bottom to help guide the blade.

 

jerry

[crupiea]

I use 72,73 and 74 sized drill bits.  I also use metal blades tat are 2/0 and 3/0.  Any of these blades will pass through the holes.

 

The biggest bit, #72 will take a size 1 blade but bigger then that and it is rough.

 

What i do is drill a hole in the top and sort of swizzle the drill around.  Then i turn the wood over and drill through the same whole on the back while swizzling it around.  fits best that way.

[amazingkevin]

I use a 1/16" drill bit for 99% of my projects,i have every size drill but try to stay with 1/16" .It just keeps things simple an less work changing bits.

[rdatelle]

Kevin,that's what I use all the time but I have a pattern that some of the lines are as wide as the blade, so a 1/6 is to big.

[gator]

Yes I use a 65 another thing that helps is your blade top end I turn it on my palm orbital sander to make a point helps feed into bottom side of hole

[ike]

i USE A 1/16 DRILL ON 95% OF THE HOLES THEN i USE A .049 DRILL WHAT # THAT IS I DON'T KNOW. I JUST GET OUT THE MIKES AND MEASURE THE DRILLS i HAVE. I HAVE ALL MY SMALL DRILLS IN A BOX AND GET THEM FROM THERE. i HAVE DONE THAT WAY FOR YEARS. I KNOW IT TAKES MORE TIME BUT i AM RETIRED AND HAVE NOTHING BUT TIME LEFT.