Drilling holes in small places.

[hawkeye10]

I am having trouble drilling small holes. When I drill the hole the paper around the hole is messed up and hides the line I need to cut. Please can you give me your advice. If I haven't explained my problem where you understand it please ask questions. I seem to have problems expressing my thoughts in writing at times. 

[OLD WORMY]

Use sharp drill bits at a high speed. Use a drill press if possible.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

A good sharp bit should drill paper with no tearout. Do not use brad point bits. They have a tendency to grab the paper more. It maybe that you need a better glue for the paper and need to press the pattern down and let dry before you start your drilling. 

[dgman]

The smaller the bit the faster the speed needed. For the wire size bits and up 1/8" I use the fastest my drill press will go...3100 rpm.

[hawkeye10]

I just been out in the shop playing with the speed on my drill press and speeding it up helped a lot.

[Sparkey]

I use very small bits in a fast dremel tool. Never had that problem.

[amazingkevin]

I don't think i've had that problem yet.I use spray glues and smooth  them out with my hand.

 

I am having trouble drilling small holes. When I drill the hole the paper around the hole is messed up and hides the line I need to cut. Please can you give me your advice. If I haven't explained my problem where you understand it please ask questions. I seem to have problems expressing my thoughts in writing at times. 

[jerry1939]

I don't think i've had that problem yet.I use spray glues and smooth  them out with my hand.

 

Kevin,

 

Ditto

[LarryEA]

Kevin knows... Preparation is important.

did you try clear tape on top. 

I would like to see a picture of the problem... 

[Lucky2]

If the problem persists and you have a hard time seeing the lines or holes, you could use a fine point awl to push through the hole. That will press the paper back down into place, making it much easier to see where to start off.

Len

[WayneMahler]

I always use sharp bits. This eliminates this issue. Just like scrolling, speed is a fator as well as being sharp. I have a drill Doctor to keep things sharp even helps on the ones that break. 

[fredfret]

Use sharp bits and make sure the chuck doesn't touch the wood

Fredfret

[rdatelle]

I haven't had that problem either. Could be that your pattern is not glued down good enough or the pattern is still a little wet.

[Rockytime]

I have this same problem at times. My floor drill press easily holds 1/16 drill bits but the drill is on it's slowest speed for the torque and for large bits. Too much hassle to change belts so I think I will buy the Dremel and the router attachment. Seems there are several on this site that do this. I have bits to #80 and the Dremel will work with those.

[Jim McDonald]

One more thing to try is "nicking" the paper with a razor knife right were you want the bit to go through.  The paper is already compromised at that point and will lessen the tear out.

 

All said sharp and fast are the way to go.

[heppnerguy]

I was going to comment about not letting the chuck touch the paper pattern. I have had that happen a couple of times and that really sucks. I have learned, over time, that I can use a smaller bit than I thought I could and it is helpful to do that because it eliminates the tear out on the bottom of the board and eases the problem of drilling into cut line on very small fret pattern holes

 

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[crupiea]

I use tiny bits and one of those spiral jewelers drills.

 

works great and I do some seriously tiny holes for 3/0 jewelers blades.