drill bits - again

[sgimbel]

Where can you get good drill bits that don't break when you look at them cross eyed. I checked the archives and it list MSC and something else but I could not find the "small" drill bits that we need here. Anybody know? If not I'll just stock up on the ones I can get.

[Pajaro]

Try Mike's Workshop English featuring: my life story, a cancer survivor, scrollsawing samples and tips, community service, list of favorite sites and Flying Dutchman fretsaw blades for sale. He carries bits and a special bit attachment for your drill or drill press for small bits. But just remember the small bits are very fragile and don't take much to break them. I only use them with a drill press and make sure the bit is 90 degrees to the wood so it will cut straight. Be genital with the tiny bits. Have a good weekend.

[earlinjax]

Originally Posted by Pajaro

Try Mike's Workshop English featuring: my life story, a cancer survivor, scrollsawing samples and tips, community service, list of favorite sites and Flying Dutchman fretsaw blades for sale. He carries bits and a special bit attachment for your drill or drill press for small bits. But just remember the small bits are very fragile and don't take much to break them. I only use them with a drill press and make sure the bit is 90 degrees to the wood so it will cut straight. Be genital with the tiny bits. Have a good weekend.

Pete, I shudder to think what and how you use those small drill bits!

Earl

[GrayBeard Phil]

Scott:

I do not know AZ, or what your neighborhood is like. Here in the Suburbs of Detroit, I can find an old fashion real hardware store (there aren't many still in business), the kind of hardware store with a counter and a guy with whole selection of catalogs and brochures for special orders. At such a counter they special order things like extra long numbered drill bits, or very small drill bits with a 1/4 inch shaft attached and so forth.

here is a link to a very large industrial supply house McMaster-Carr out of Chicago. McMaster-Carr
in the upper left hand side of the web page is a search box, just type in:
wire gage drill bits

then when the page comes up, there are 4 drop down menu selection, choose the wire gage (number) of the drill bit. (for example #60 or #58) Then on the next page, wander around the page and look for "Drill Bit Composition, and click on M2/M7 High speed tool steel. For a few pennies more, but last longer. McMaster-Carr may have a minimum order $$ amount.

But what you will discover is that the trick, or the key, is to make sure the small drill is firmly attached in the drill chuck and there is no bending or twisting of the drill during drilling, as in a drill press. This is really important as you get down below #60 drill bits. Any wobble will cause the bit to break. There are many tricks but a good quality chuck, and no wobble when the drill hits the small indent you make with a small nail (or brad) for centering. Don't try this with a hand held drill, as too much hand, wrist, and arm movement. Some get away with a very light weight Dremel tool (or of that ilk.) But the hand position is very different with a Dremel vs. a hand held drill.

As mentioned in other posts, don't force the drill, let it do the work. Back it out several times to clear the wood chips. Then go back in the same hole, with exactly the same angle and centered on the hole.

Phil

[Fremmed]

Originally Posted by Pajaro

I only use them with a drill press and make sure the bit is 90 degrees to the wood so it will cut straight. Be genital with the tiny bits. Have a good weekend.

Pete--I'm guessing you mean "GENTLE" as in "not severe, rough, or violent; mild"

[Rolf]

The small bits don't tolerate much flexing. So free handing in a dremel, for instance) is a crap shoot.
They also want more speed. Mc master is great. Fast delivery.
Earl I am not drilling my ___ Ouch.

Mike or Sloans are all great sources but, personaly for things like drills and sanding mops etc. I like to buy direct.

[Stoney]

I have found that in solid wood very small drill bits tend to want of follow the grain which causes them to flex and sometimes break especially when they start to get dull. Not to much you can do except to try and stop pushing when you see the flexing and that is easier said than done. Good luck!!

Stoney

[minowevie]

I find using a very small pilat hole works for me. like a small nail. then start your drill bit in, and pull it out. you can run your drill press fast, but only push the drill bit in very slowly. pull it out. there is just not enoup bit to pull out the dust. keep doing this untill you have cleared the hole you wish to drill. If you forse a small drill bit, it will only bow, and break. it is trying to drill the hole, but it is carrying the big dust with it. hope this helps. your friend Evie Ps. you can also, try drilling very slow. speed sometimes burns the drill bit, and now you have a very dull bit.