Drilling with micro bits

[oldhudson]

With fret work we all drill lots of holes. Neither of my hand drills nor my Shopsmith (which is my drill press) have chucks which will hold the smaller size bits under 1/16". No doubt some of you have adapters that can be used in a standard drill press but the adapter will go to zero.

 

What do you have/recommend and where did you find them?

 

Thanks for reading.

[dgman]

I have two that come from sloan's. They have a thin long stem that chucks into any drill press Chuck. These stems tend to bend so I chuck the hole body into drill press Chuck. My drill bits run true without any wobble. I have tried others from Mike's Workshop and the big box stores, but they all tend to wobble.

I keep each loaded with a different size drill bit so I don't have to keep switching bits. Works for me!

[Scrappile]

Here is one option that was posted the other day: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/18110-new-to-me-a-better-way-to-drill/?hl=chuck

 

I bought a mini chuck that you put in a drill press once but it was worthless.  My current drill press will hold them.  My old one would not.

 

Some one wrote just in the past few days about the Dremel work station. 

[Scrolling Steve]

My wife gave me the Seyco scrollers drill as a gift about a year ago.......I had looked at it many times and thought it to be too expensive( I still think it is expensive).......I love it!.....If you want to spend the extra money it is an awesome tool! ....Having said that , I think if it died tomorrow I would try the Dremel..........Just my two cents!

Edited February 14, 2016 by Scrolling Steve

[Ron Johnson]

when it comes to micro drill bits Berry I've been using the SE-Drill set-twist #61-80 20 pc. They come in a metal box for $5.44 ea from Amazon.com. These drill bits I use in my Dremels in the Dremel workstation, flex shaft, plunge router attachment and jewellers push hand drill. I usually purchase 10 sets at a time making sure I always have them available. Wouldn't do without when doing fret work. You'll notice other drill sets available when searching.

[WayneMahler]

The drills I buy from Mike's shop. My dewalt 14.4 will hold them too. I got a chuck from Mike's for my brill press but it wobbled pretty bad. I spnt extra for an adapter that works great but can not remember where I got it. Guess that old age thing is catching up with me . 

[crupiea]

I use nothing but tiny bits and a hand drill.

 

I use a spiral jewelers drill.  you can get them on ebay for about $5-10.

 

make sure its the spiral one as they also sell ones where it just hold the bits and you twist it around yourself so they suck.

 

The bits will almost break just under the weight of the drill so make sure only enough sticks out to make it past the wood you are drilling.

 

I drill one hole at a time because i have noticed that because the holes are so small that if I do more then one, the rubbing from the sawing will sort of fill the holes back in and i need to drill it again.

Edited February 15, 2016 by crupiea

[hotshot]

For me, the dremel chuck (an extra $10 accessory) hold any size easily.  Many use the Dremel with plunge router,and I might do that eventually too.  I think that is only $20.

 

------Randy

[Lucky2]

I'm fortunate that my drill press will hold all size of bits, even the miniture size. I do own a mini dremel chuck though, it was gift my wife gave me years ago. I've never used it, it's just sitting on the shelf.

Len

[JustLarry]

Since 2009 - Dremel Variable Speed Tool, with Dremel Keyless Chuck and Dremel Plunge Router Attachment. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-4486-MultiPro-Keyless-Chuck/dp/B0000302ZV/ref=sr_1_12?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1455506315&sr=1-12&keywords=dremel

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-335-01-Plunge-Router-Attachment/dp/B0000DEZK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455506399&sr=8-1&keywords=dremel+router+base

 

Larry

[kywoodmaster]

this works pretty well for me.  http://www.woodenteddybearonline.com/x/product.php?productid=7461&cat=5&page=4   Just have to get it lined up good.

[dgman]

this works pretty well for me.  http://www.woodenteddybearonline.com/x/product.php?productid=7461&cat=5&page=4   Just have to get it lined up good.

Yup, that's what I use.

[Sparkey]

I do all of my drilling with a Dremel tool. I have tried many different ways and the hand held Dremel works best for me.

[oldhudson]

this works pretty well for me.  http://www.woodenteddybearonline.com/x/product.php?productid=7461&cat=5&page=4   Just have to get it lined up good.

To be clear you chuck the WTB 'micro chuck' into the standard Jacobs chuck on your drill press, correct?

[NC Scroller]

To be clear you chuck the WTB 'micro chuck' into the standard Jacobs chuck on your drill press, correct?

Yes that is the way it "should" work.  In reality you  just insert the micro chuck and go.  BUT if it is not put in the chuck just so it will wobble.  Then it is trial and error to get it in the standard Jacobs chuck just right.  That is why I switched to the Jacobs 41AB chuck. Then there is no need for the micro chuck as that Jacobs chuck will hold the smaller micro bits.

Edited February 15, 2016 by NC Scroller

[amazingkevin]

I bought a jacobs chuck from the big box store for $29.00.I asked if it would hold this bit i brought.it did and smaller,I bought two.Very sturdy chuck ,and won't distort if dropped or hit.Same size as a 1/2" chuck.It goes in what ever chuck you have ,battery drill ,drill press etc Just like changing a drill bit easy.

[ike]

I have a Ryobi drill press It holds any size drill It was only about $100, on some patterns it won't reach all the holes and I have a Dremel plunge router for that and it works well

[lineman]

I use a hexagonal shaped pin vise in my 1/2" drill press chuck. 

[MrsN]

I have a hand drill and a drill press that will accept tiny bits, but I love my dremel plunge router base for drilling. It is so handy for being able to drill squarely in the middle of a board, and not having to worry abut the wobble of the hand drill breaking the bit. I typically leave a 1/16" bit in my drill press and smaller sizes in my dremel.

[Tommy Johnson]

I have tried several different chucks for the tiny drill bits and have found that the TJ3320 3 pc Pin Chuck Set made in India works the best for me. When I took a course on Scrolling from Gail Jennings he gave me a couple of these and I have found more on ebay! All the other chucks I have tried the bits wobble and as you know that is not good when working on your projects! Good Luck!

[Tino]

I use the Weecher rotary tool

[Rob]

My pillar drill takes a 1mm bit (7/64 approx) bit with no problem but I remember Merlin posting a link to these bits on Amazon the last time this was discussed.  I have not tried them personally.

 

Rob

[nrscroller]

I use the dremel drill press with my dremel and it works great.

Bill

[ubgoofy2003]

I got my bit chuck from Mike's Workshop & never have had a problem. As mentioned before you have to make sure it is secured in the drill press chuck correctly ( straight ), just like any drill bit. I just take the mini chuck out of my Jet press & use whatever size bit I need later. You just can't do without the mini bits, if you do any serious scrolling. Good to read all the info here. It's good to have on hand when we need it. Thanks everyone.