Drilling holes

[Phantom Scroller]

I just use a rechargeable hand drill and never had an issues put a block of wood underneath and I'm away. Roly 

[crupiea]

I used to use a hand drill like the kind with the big gear but now I use a twist drill thing that has a spiral.

 

i drill one hole at a time now.  cut it out, next hole and so on.  If i drill alot of holes they seem to get covered back up while cutting the first one so i end up drilling them out again.

[Rolf]

The tiny bits like to spin fast, too fast for a normal drill press , in my opinion. I use a Micromark drill press dedicated to my scrolling. This is what I have, http://www.micromark.com/microlux-3-speed-mini-drill-press,7797.html

It has gone up a bit in price.

[CharleyL]

I use a Dremel with their plunge base when doing flat work, my Delta VS drill press when doing compound cut work. I also have a small old hand crank drill that I have occasionally used if not needing many holes drilled. I also have a small battery powered drill that I take with me when doing classes or demonstrations.

 

Charley

[hawkeye10]

I found out this week that if you are going to drill 1/8" holes drilling them with a brad point bit saves time and work if you use good ones. In my opinion Lee Valley has the best brad point bits I have seen.

 

http://www.leevalley.com/us/home/Search.aspx?action=n

[MTCowpoke22]

I have a bench top drill press that'll handle 1/16" bits. Its a cheap-o, but works just fine for anything I've done with it. I have looked at the seyco one and will maybe buy it someday. I don't like free handing it, especially in thicker material as I want the holes to be straight.

[Terry]

I use the scroller's drill sold by Seyco. Wouldn't be without one.

 

Terry

[lawson56]

Well I don't have anything but a Black&Decker hand Drill,and a 1/16th drill bit.

[Rolf]

1/16 is a huge hole trying to drill with a #70 using a hand drill is a real challenge. If you are stack cutting you really have to be perpendicular to the work.

[CharleyL]

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.

 

 

 

 

I have a solution for your "lost drill bits".  Stick one or two magnets (the rare earth super magnets work best) on your drill press or near where you drill your holes. Every time you remove a drill bit that you will be using again, just let the magnet hold it for you. I have several drill bits of different commonly used sizes on my magnets so I can quickly and easily find the one that I need for just the right sized hole. They will even hold a mini chuck for you if the magnet is large..

 

Charley

Edited October 8, 2016 by CharleyL

[Vott1]

I use a dremel mounted in dremel drill press jig, and I have a dremel plunge router jig for bigger projects

[barb.j.enders]

I use a drill press that I got at a garage sale.