Drilling holes

[onewaywood]

I was wondering what most of you are using to drill the multitude of holes required in scroll saw work.I like to do scroll saw work but I'm really 

hung up on this.

[woodknots]

I use the scrollers drill sold by seyco but i know some on here use a dremel mounted to the dremel router base. Hope this helps.

[hawkeye10]

I use my drill press. This is a great question as I would like to see how others do it.

[Sparkey]

I use a Dremmel tool and hold it in my hand.

[trackman]

Drill press with a mime chuck

[onewaywood]

Thanks all, I'm hoping for even more ideas.Now I just use a Dremel, not that fond of that way tho.

[Debi Shipman]

Cordless drill or my knock-off Dremmel.  My drill won't hold my littlest bit so it depends on the size of the area which one I use.

[dgman]

Drill press with mini chucks. My drill press is right next to my saw.

[Iguanadon]

Harbor Freight has inexpensive tools and for light usage, they're pretty good.  I bought one of these with a 20% off coupon and have been happy with it.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-5-speed-bench-drill-press-60238.html

[Scrappile]

Drill press

[bandaideman]

I use a drill press the same size as the HF but it is a Craftsman which I have had for years it even fell off the bench and the top now is crooked but it runs great and the chuck can hold the mini bits without trouble.

[ike]

I use a 10 in. drill press but at times it won't reach some holes then I use a dremel plunge router.

IKE

[munzieb]

I use a HF 9" drill press. It does the job and even handles .002 bits. It's only a problem for larger pieces. I can knock out holes quickly since it stable. Always go for points in an internal cut or Sharpe intersections and angles and back into the cut.

[Scrolling Steve]

Like Jeff I use the scrollers drill sold by Seyco !....I think it is over priced but my sweet wife gave it to me last Christmas and I do love it ! 

[MrsN]

for most of my holes I use a dremel in a router base like this I need the base to keep the holes square. I also have a keyless chuck so I can use a variety of drill sizes. I don't remember if it was part of the original dremel or if I bought it separately, but it is awesome for drilling holes. 

Using the dremel with router base has really helped me from snapping drill bits. Using a cordless drill with small bits I would get a bit of wobble and snap off the small bits. Also happens when pieces are not held down well with a drill press.

 

I also have a 1984 harbor freight bench top drill press, but it mostly collects dust in the garage. It was my dad's, he bought it shortly after I was born, so I am a bit sentimental. I drag it out when I need bigger holes.

 

Almost all of the holes I drill are 1/16". For most of my work I can find a spot to put a 1/16" hole to start a cut, so I don't worry about using the extra tiny bits. I buy a few packs at a time of 10-12 1/16" bits from harbor freight for a few bucks. They work well for me, I still loose more than I dull.

[Rockytime]

I use a floor drill press when only drilling 1/8" holes. For anything smaller I use a tabletop drill press with a #0 Jacobs Chuck. Takes drills in the #70s.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

16" floor delta model drill press. 

[amazingkevin]

I was wondering what most of you are using to drill the multitude of holes required in scroll saw work.I like to do scroll saw work but I'm really 

hung up on this.

I have a lot of ways to get the job done,2 -10" drill presses,9 battery drills 5 dremils -,dremil plunge router I bought the dewalt bit holder(2) chuck that goes all the way down to a hair for $30.ea.

[Lucky2]

I use a drillpress, the mini bits I use work on it fine.

Len

[Ron Johnson]

I use a dremal drill press most of the time, flex shaft the second most, dremal with router base on larger projects and sometimes a jewellers drill can be very handy. These are the items that have worked for me for many years and continue to work well.

[heppnerguy]

I have an 8 inch drill press and go to the drummer tool when the middle holes are unreachable. I bought an add on really small chuck to use in the drummer when necessary

 

 

Dick

Heppnerguy

[onewaywood]

Wow thats great info thanks everyone,I use a dremel now but will check that router base for it,I like that idea.A drill press seems to big for this work and more hassle than I want to do.

[Kepy]

I have an old Craftsman floor model and a Delta variable speed bench model.  That way I have bits of different sizes so don't have to change.  Also use a Dremel with the router stand next to my saw for the holes I forgot to drill.

[WayneMahler]

I drill mine with a drill press. I just ordered a new adapter from Mike's work Shop that takes collet inserts for $8.95 after my other finally gave up. Works great and holds the bits straight.

[Bill WIlson]

I use a drill press for most of my fretwork drilling.  I like the stability and accuracy.  I don't think I would ever want to drill fret holes freehand.  Sometimes holes need to be drilled in a very precise spot and if the drill isn't perfectly perpendicular, it can break through in the wrong place on the bottom.  This is especially problematic if you are stack cutting several layers.  It could potentially ruin the bottom piece.

 

The chuck on my drill press is capable of holding the smallest numbered bits, but I typically use a Dremel mounted in the drill press base for really small holes.  When I need holes in the center of a large piece and it won't fit in either my Dremel DP or the big DP, I spin the Dremel around in the base, 180 degrees from its standard position.  It's a little awkward, but it gives me full access to any hole on the piece.  I've considered getting a plunge base for my Dremel.  I really think that is the ultimate option, but so far I've gotten along OK without it.  I even have a couple of the old eggbeater hand drills that I could use for this, but I don't think the chucks will close up enough to hold the really small numbered bits, I may give that a try though.  Easier to control than a cordless drill.