Micro (small) Drilll press?

[danny]

So Forever I have used a table top drill press.  No biggie.  By any chance is there any out there that

uses another way to drill starter holes?  Just Curious.   Enjoy a Change sometimes....  Thanks....Danny  :+}

[meflick]

Hy Danny - there have been some fairly recent conversations on smaller drill options for drilling starter holes.  I will see if I can find them and link to them here.

One option is the one from Seyco found here: https://www.seyco.com/scrollers-drill/ - but its not cheap by any means ($119)

Some have indicated that they use a dremel tool with a base - (there are different bases that can be bought and used) Like here: https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1097-Stand-Drill-Rotary/dp/B0001GMENE/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1F7BQYYS7LG1E&keywords=dremel+drill+press+rotary+tool+workstation+stand&qid=1581451147&s=hi&sprefix=dremel+dril%2Ctools%2C-1&sr=1-5

Funny, we have a dremel tool setup with a base to use, and I recently got the upgraded Seyco option and also use DH's table top drill press. I keep breaking the bits in my Seyco drill.  I am sure it is me - just haven't figured out what I am doing wrong. 

 

Edited to add:  Here are a couple links  to a few of those prior conversations: https://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/topic/34979-dremel-question/page/2/#comments

https://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/topic/36716-small-drill-bits/#comment-405942

and 

https://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/topic/35987-seyco-drill-any-one-use-one-have-one/?tab=comments#comment-398478

I'm sure there are more.  These were just some of the first ones that popped up when I did a quick search. 

Edited February 11, 2020 by meflick

[danny]

Gee I surely do Thank you for going thru the trouble of locating these links.  Love this Scroll Family....

I will check into them.  Did at first want to buy a hand held drill, but just knew I would be breaking

some bits.  Gave that though up.  Thanks again My Friend....  Danny  :+}

[danny]

Just looked at the Seyco link and my feelings are if I have to be the Up and Down force to drill a Micro hole

I just know I would break bits for sure.  Thanks again

[OCtoolguy]

Danny, a drill press is by far the best option but it's capacity is limited. If you are into larger projects, my suggestion is a Dremel with a plunge base. That way, it makes no difference how big your project might be. The whole thing can be found either new or used for under $100. But, once you get to that point, you're only a couple of bucks away from the Seyco. I use my drill press (8")(4" capacity) mostly because I don't do big stuff. I found a used Dremel and a plunge base on C/L and I've got a total in both of them at $40. I know, I'm a cheapskate.

 

[Ron Johnson]

Hi Danny. For years I’ve used the Dremel drill press, plunge router and flex shaft. All reasonably priced  a do the job fine. 

[Woodmaster1]

For around $10 you can get a micro chuck and put it in your drill press.

[Rockytime]

Lots of crappy little adapters to use small drill bits. Most are not worth the money. I would suggest either the Dremel or Wen three jaw chucks. They can be chucked up in a larger chuck and are quite accurate.

[amazingkevin]

I use the dremil plunge router with a three jaw chuck for all my pilot holes for a year now and could,nt be happyer.

Edited February 12, 2020 by amazingkevin
Spelling an pictures

[merlin]

Ghezz Kevin about time that tool was treated to some compressed air don't ya think....

 

Merlin...

[MrsN]

I use a dremel with plunge router base, just like the one Kevin pictured (although mine is just a bit cleaner) I already had the dremel so only needed to add the base and at about $30 it has been well worth the money.

 

The base keeps the up and down force pretty straight so there is little risk of breaking a bit.  

[scrollerpete]

I used the Dremel with the plunge router attachment, I also have the Seyco drill press, but I find it is not worth the money.

[Wilson142]

I also use the Dremel Plunge for holes I can't reach with my drill press. I didn't like the length and stiffness of the Dremel springs so, I replaced the springs with shorter and lighter ones. That makes it much easier to push down without needing much hand pressure to hold in place and now my bit rides about 1/8th of an inch above the workpiece. I was going to buy the Seyco but I try to avoid one purpose tools when I can. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

9 hours ago, merlin said:

Ghezz Kevin about time that tool was treated to some compressed air don't ya think....

 

Merlin...

Boy this was my first thought too. My Goodness treat the tools with a little more respect please. 

[Frank Pellow]

I use the Seyco.  I really like it and have broken very few drill bits.  For instance, on my current 'Moose' project, I have now drilled over 700 holes using a single, as yet unbroken, #63 (just under 1 millimetre diameter) bit.

[Roberta Moreton]

5 hours ago, Wilson142 said:

I also use the Dremel Plunge for holes I can't reach with my drill press. I didn't like the length and stiffness of the Dremel springs so, I replaced the springs with shorter and lighter ones. That makes it much easier to push down without needing much hand pressure to hold in place and now my bit rides about 1/8th of an inch above the workpiece. I was going to buy the Seyco but I try to avoid one purpose tools when I can. 

I’m going to take my plunge base apart and take those springs to my local True Value. (I prefer to shop local)  They should be able to get me some springs. Thanks, you just saved me some bucks. Now I can stop thinking about buying that fancy-shamsy one!

[danny]

Thank EVERYONE for your comments.  Will think more seriously about the Dremel set up. 

Danny  :+}

[Frank Pellow]

1 hour ago, danny said:

Thank EVERYONE for your comments.  Will think more seriously about the Dremel set up. 

Danny  :+}

You really should think seriously about the Seyco too.

[OCtoolguy]

12 hours ago, Wilson142 said:

I also use the Dremel Plunge for holes I can't reach with my drill press. I didn't like the length and stiffness of the Dremel springs so, I replaced the springs with shorter and lighter ones. That makes it much easier to push down without needing much hand pressure to hold in place and now my bit rides about 1/8th of an inch above the workpiece. I was going to buy the Seyco but I try to avoid one purpose tools when I can. 

Bill, where did you get the springs? I'd like to do that too.

[Rockytime]

Why?

[Wilson142]

9 hours ago, octoolguy said:

Bill, where did you get the springs? I'd like to do that too.

I got my springs at ACE

[Wilson142]

7 hours ago, Rockytime said:

Why?

I replaced the springs for 2 reasons. 1. They were so stiff that holding the base down to keep in place on the slick shelf liner I use was difficult.

                                                                  2. With the stock springs, the bit sat 3/4 of an inch or more from the surface and the extra travel seemed unnecessary. I did have to use the Dremel cutoff wheel to trim 1/4 inch of drill bit shank but now it works better for me.

Pickey? Maybe but with patterns with 300 or more holes it helps!  

[danny]

Frank was my first look and Immediately knew this would work Perfectly.   Just not able to afford the cost att. 

Have used my bench top drill press for Ages and might just leave well enough alone.  The holes out of range I

can deal with otherwise..............Thanks Again My Friends..............Danny  :+}

[BadBob]

To use tiny drill bits, you might want to consider changing the chuck on your drill press to a chuck that can handle smaller bits. I changed mine to one of these.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/South-Bend-Drill-Chuck-1-32-1-2-JT33/SB1370

I can drill holes in a tooth pick.

 

[Rockytime]

14 hours ago, BadBob said:

To use tiny drill bits, you might want to consider changing the chuck on your drill press to a chuck that can handle smaller bits. I changed mine to one of these.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/South-Bend-Drill-Chuck-1-32-1-2-JT33/SB1370

I can drill holes in a tooth pick.

 

Can you hold a #72 drill in it?