small drill bits

[red river]

Hi ya'll....I'm just now at the point in my scroll sawing journey where I am wanting to do some intricate fret work patterns. I have a good set of drill bits and some of them are very small, but not small enough. Looks like i'm going to need a chuck adapter and some micro bits. I'm curious as to what ya'll use and where you got them. I saw where Harbor freight had 30 micro bits for $2.99 but that seems awfully cheap. Any help would be appreciated.....Thanx

Edited January 23, 2021 by red river
repeat

[Scrappile]

I have been purchasing my past micro bits from DnD (https://www.dndsawbladesonline.com/page/448829586 ) and they have been the best yet.... Don't buy cheapies and don't buy one of each size... Micro bits break,,, you will want to buy like a dozen of each size you want.  I think Denny, member here ( https://www.artcraftersonline.com ) sells the same brand.... they are both great places to do business with.  My drill press chuck closes all the way down so I do not need a chuck adapter... I had one on the last drill press I had and it wobbles so bad it was unusable... so I can't give you a recommendation on that.

P.S.  Just saw this posted.... (Artcrafters)

 

Edited January 22, 2021 by Scrappile

[Denny Knappen]

37 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I have been purchasing my past micro bits from DnD (https://www.dndsawbladesonline.com/page/448829586 ) and they have been the best yet.... Don't buy cheapies and don't buy one of each size... Micro bits break,,, you will want to buy like a dozen of each size you want.  I think Denny, member here ( https://www.artcraftersonline.com ) sells the same brand.... they are both great places to do business with.  My drill press chuck closes all the way down so I do not need a chuck adapter... I had one on the last drill press I had and it wobbles so bad it was unusable... so I can't give you a recommendation on that.

P.S.  Just saw this posted.... (Artcrafters)

 

Thanks Paul for the link.

[Foxfold]

While we're on the subject, what size do people use ?  I get 1mm bits myself but sometimes even they are a little bigger than I need, but I manage. 

[Rockytime]

My go to is #68. I use #2 down to 2/0 blades for fret work. 

[Roberta Moreton]

I use micro bits, bought by the dozen. I use a dremel tool with an extremely small collet. I put the dremel in the plunge router base and drill my holes that way. 

[crupiea]

I get mine from amazon.  Just search by the gage.  I prefer a #72 which is very small. 

I also use a jewelers spring type drill which I also got from amazon for like $8 or something like that.

 

[ben2008]

I buy my small drill bits from Mikes Workshop the Flying Dutchman. Mini twist drills $7.25 a dozen. Very reasonable and with free shipping.

https://mikesworkshop.com/collections/accessories

I have been buying from Mikes for years. He also sells the Flying Dutchman blades with free shipping.

Edited January 23, 2021 by ben2008

[Ken Lotts]

16 hours ago, Foxfold said:

While we're on the subject, what size do people use ?  I get 1mm bits myself but sometimes even they are a little bigger than I need, but I manage. 

Whenever I can, I use 1 mm since it accommodates all the way up to FD-UR #5.  My drill press holds a 1mm bit just fine (which surprised me). 
I was worried that I would be breaking the bits since they are so small so I bought a pack of 50 (Amazon $8 for 50 bits).  My drill press has been great though and I have not been breaking bits like I thought.  I just ordered some #68 bits because I can see that they will be handy.

[red river]

Thanks for the input ya'll. I think I'll go with some 1mm and # 68's from Mike's as that is where i get my blades. Now i will be able to attack some of the smaller cuts.

[FrankEV]

On 1/22/2021 at 2:40 PM, red river said:

... Looks like i'm going to need a chuck adapter and some micro bits. I'm curious as to what ya'll use and where you got them....

I tried a couple of mini chucks from different sources.  The 3 split chucks do not work well.  However, the Dremel 4 split chuck does work but only works in a Dremel.  I posted the following a few months ago and it has worked very well since:

The Dremel drill press as is, because of it is only 3" from the bit to the post, is imparactical to use for drilling blade holes in almost any fretwork larger than 6" wide.  However, I had the idea in my head I could do something to make it work and Home Depot near me had the Dremel Drill Press/Tool Station in stock for $45.   I took a chance (knowing I could return it if I could not make it work) and bought it this morning.  After I got it home and did some investigating how I could make it work the light bulb lit up in my brain and this was the result.

There is a shelf above my workbench that was just the correct height to allow me to mount the base upside down. I slid the Drill press body on the post opposite of what is normal.  The press can be rotated around the post allowing it to be swung out of the way if necessary.  I use a piece of 1/4" ply as a drill backer and set the stop so the bit will not punch into the workbench top.  Very easy to locate the bit ove the point where the hole is needed.  From the bit to the wall is about 11"  so as positioned it can accomodate panels up to about 22" wide.  

 

[Ken Lotts]

10 hours ago, FrankEV said:

I tried a couple of mini chucks from different sources.  The 3 split chucks do not work well.  However, the Dremel 4 split chuck does work but only works in a Dremel.  I posted the following a few months ago and it has worked very well since:

The Dremel drill press as is, because of it is only 3" from the bit to the post, is imparactical to use for drilling blade holes in almost any fretwork larger than 6" wide.  However, I had the idea in my head I could do something to make it work and Home Depot near me had the Dremel Drill Press/Tool Station in stock for $45.   I took a chance (knowing I could return it if I could not make it work) and bought it this morning.  After I got it home and did some investigating how I could make it work the light bulb lit up in my brain and this was the result.

There is a shelf above my workbench that was just the correct height to allow me to mount the base upside down. I slid the Drill press body on the post opposite of what is normal.  The press can be rotated around the post allowing it to be swung out of the way if necessary.  I use a piece of 1/4" ply as a drill backer and set the stop so the bit will not punch into the workbench top.  Very easy to locate the bit ove the point where the hole is needed.  From the bit to the wall is about 11"  so as positioned it can accomodate panels up to about 22" wide.  

 

That is awesome!  What a great idea!

[GusGustin]

On 1/22/2021 at 11:40 AM, red river said:

Hi ya'll....I'm just now at the point in my scroll sawing journey where I am wanting to do some intricate fret work patterns. I have a good set of drill bits and some of them are very small, but not small enough. Looks like i'm going to need a chuck adapter and some micro bits. I'm curious as to what ya'll use and where you got them. I saw where Harbor freight had 30 micro bits for $2.99 but that seems awfully cheap. Any help would be appreciated.....Thanx

I got mine from a jewelry/crafts place in Fairfield California. They were about 4 bucks (a little less) for a dozen. I have broken one ( #68 ) because of a BONE-HEAD move .. lifted the wood right into the bit going across the .. anyway .. broke it.   I'm drilling with a dremel work station - and - have not had another problem.

I think Seyco sells his for about  7 bucks for a 10 pack. That's a descent price.  And I can't find who I ordered those bits from .... but I remember it was in either Fairfield or Fairfax Ca.

[Scrollmate57]

On 5/23/2020 at 3:55 PM, DME72 said:

this is from another forum i go on,the dayton motors were used from 94-96. the guy who gave that info was a former RBI employee.they are really good saws and parts are still available. they sometimes take awhile to get from bushton.best if you call and talk to someone. congrats on your first saw.bushton manufacturing now uses MET motors and controls.

doug

 

On 1/24/2021 at 6:24 AM, FrankEV said:

I tried a couple of mini chucks from different sources.  The 3 split chucks do not work well.  However, the Dremel 4 split chuck does work but only works in a Dremel.  I posted the following a few months ago and it has worked very well since:

The Dremel drill press as is, because of it is only 3" from the bit to the post, is imparactical to use for drilling blade holes in almost any fretwork larger than 6" wide.  However, I had the idea in my head I could do something to make it work and Home Depot near me had the Dremel Drill Press/Tool Station in stock for $45.   I took a chance (knowing I could return it if I could not make it work) and bought it this morning.  After I got it home and did some investigating how I could make it work the light bulb lit up in my brain and this was the result.

There is a shelf above my workbench that was just the correct height to allow me to mount the base upside down. I slid the Drill press body on the post opposite of what is normal.  The press can be rotated around the post allowing it to be swung out of the way if necessary.  I use a piece of 1/4" ply as a drill backer and set the stop so the bit will not punch into the workbench top.  Very easy to locate the bit ove the point where the hole is needed.  From the bit to the wall is about 11"  so as positioned it can accomodate panels up to about 22" wide.  

 

I liked this so well, went out and bought one immediately.  Curious what is the height on your shelf to your table top.  Trying to simplify and not reinvent the wheel.  Well done.  I know this will improve the cut quality  too.

Scrollmate57. Gordon

[FrankEV]

5 hours ago, Scrollmate57 said:

 

...  Curious what is the height on your shelf to your table top...  .

In the upside down position allow about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the bottom of the vertical post to the surface the panel will sit on.  My self was just a little to low by about 1" and I had to cut off a piece of the post in order to allow thick panels to slip under the post.

To clarify, I would say the underside of the mount surface should be about the height of the drill press plus 2 inches above the surface the panel will lay on.

When I drill a panel I adjust the drill press so the bit is about a 1/4" above the cut panel that is set on a drill backer and set the stop so the bit will not punch into the table top.  Also, if you can shine a light on the table top where the drill press is, it will help a lot in lining up the bit above the small cut outs.

 

[barb.j.enders]

If you are stack cutting and need the small drill bit for the hole, how do you drill them.  When I was looking the length of the drill bit is too short!

[Bill WIlson]

My stacks are rarely over 5/8" thick, so I've never run into a problem with the drill bits being too short.  I think the smallest one I use is a #72.

[nrscroller]

HI

I get my small drill wire bits off the internet from Widget Supply. Had good luck with them. They also have jewelry blades etc.

ncrscroller

[FrankEV]

55 minutes ago, barb.j.enders said:

If you are stack cutting and need the small drill bit for the hole, how do you drill them.  When I was looking the length of the drill bit is too short!

The bits I get from Artcrafters will easily drill through 3/4" thick material.  Just make sure you don't push the bit all the way into the chuck leaving about 7/8" projecting.  With my set up, that works fine and I do not break the bits.

[OzarkSawdust]

Nice setup Frank. Good thing you had that shelf above the workbench!  

[Scrollmate57]

13 hours ago, FrankEV said:

In the upside down position allow about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the bottom of the vertical post to the surface the panel will sit on.  My self was just a little to low by about 1" and I had to cut off a piece of the post in order to allow thick panels to slip under the post.

To clarify, I would say the underside of the mount surface should be about the height of the drill press plus 2 inches above the surface the panel will lay on.

When I drill a panel I adjust the drill press so the bit is about a 1/4" above the cut panel that is set on a drill backer and set the stop so the bit will not punch into the table top.  Also, if you can shine a light on the table top where the drill press is, it will help a lot in lining up the bit above the small cut outs.

 

I have a press I use for making rings...  I velcro'd two of the HF outlet style LEDs above it.  Sounds like it would project for the 22 inch arc.  Thank you good heads up.  Make the bench drill press slot easier!  Scrollmate57

[amazingkevin]

On 1/22/2021 at 7:24 PM, Roberta Moreton said:

I use micro bits, bought by the dozen. I use a dremel tool with an extremely small collet. I put the dremel in the plunge router base and drill my holes that way. 

i don't never want to fool with a collet again. Dremel makes a chuck that fits right on a Dremel just like a jacobs chuck .What a fool proof time saver and tightens up the smallest of drill bits for only $10.00 i bough 5!!!