breaking drill bits in fretwork

I Love to do fretwork. I go threw at least 3 drill bits when I try to drill all the holes for my cuttings. Besides drilling a little slower what can I do to stop breaking so many small drill bits. I don't want to use a bigger bit. Is it me or is there some trick I should know about.
Fellow woodchuck
Mytoya Pritchett

you are drilling into the wood and then bending the bit, by moving the drill one way or another...keep the drill straight and the bit straight and I will bet you don't break any more bits....sometimes if you are pressing hard, you will move or tilt the drill and not notice it, putting the bit in a bind.

I'm guessing you're using a hand-held drill, as Sliver noted. If you can get to a drill press, you've got it licked. It's quicker, more accurate, and you really have to try to break a bit. I've used 5/32' bits and haven't broken one yet.

You guys are right, I was using a hand held drill. After reading your posts I put my last bit into my drill press and you were right again I didn't break the bit. Now I am off to make dust.
Thanks alot.
Fellow woodchuck
Mytoya Pritchett

Hey there, That same drill bit is still working . Thanks a lot what a difference something so simple makes.
Thanks again!
Mytoya Pritchett

And remember... the smaller the bit..the higher the speed. If your drill press is a multi speed one, select one of the highest speeds.
Mine is a 16 speed drill press and I run it on the 14th speed from the bottom (2nd from top) when using tiny bits for fretwork holes in hardwood. Nice clean holes with easy entry and exit.
W.Y.