Source for fine drill bits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2016, 10:53:34 pm
content: I am in need of a .067" drill bit for some special pins. I have no fine bits, so I think it may be time to get a set. I have been looking on eBay where there seems to be a dominant seller (jtg1969) of individual bits and sets in new/resharpened/used shape. I tend to believe the seller is the same ashttp://drillbitsunlimited.com.I have a half decent DELTA bench top drill. I wish I had a PROXXON, but I have other things in mind before I can get to it (if I ever do). I hope the DELTA will behave with the .067" bit.I have three questions,1 - Does anyone have experience with this seller ?2 - Reference to another reputable seller3 - I am thinking about getting this sethttp://drillbitsunlimited.com/20-Piece-Carburetor-Tuning-Drill-Bit-Set-Holley-Rochester-Carter-Mikuni-Walbro--P5452039.aspx. Comments ? (No carburator drilling planned)Any thoughts and opinions will be appreciated

author: Badams
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 27, 2016, 11:08:06 pm
content: I like the look of that carburator tuning set because it has shanks! I recently invested in a couple of Jacobs chucks for the lathe and drill press, and the (lack of) runout is great but they only tighten to about .078 in. As far as sellers go I'm skeptical of buying any cutting tool steel from china, but carbide is carbide (if it's actually carbide).

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2016, 11:52:21 pm
content: 1/16" is 0.0625, you can get 1/16 bits from home depot (Milwaukee or Dewalt) or better yet from local industrial supplier shops.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 12:03:00 am
content: Quote from: Bud on August 27, 2016, 11:52:21 pmYeah, of course it is and nothing at all special about 1/16, one can get them most anywhere.OP wants 0.067" and that's a #51 drill and cheap sets for undemanding work will do just fine.Here's a # drill chart:http://www.gearhob.com/eng/design/drill_eng.htm

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 01:11:36 am
content: I want to mount this press-fit micro jackshttp://www.mouser.com/ds/2/215/471-744012.pdfin a plastic enclosure. The spec'd drill hole is .067" or 1.7 mm. I think that the .067" counts with press fitting in something harder than plastic, so it will likely fit in smallish hole in the plastic causing a bit more deformation in it, but holding tight in it. So it could possibly fit in a 1/16", or something in between. Looking at the set above, there are various many bits under .067, so I could start thinner and try until the jack fits. And yes, I know 1/16 is cheap and is close to #52 and #51... and I probably have one lost somewhere. I hate these small standard bits with barely no way to identify them easily.

author: kc8apf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 01:14:32 am
content: I usually go to MSC for drills. Looks like basic #51 bits go for under $2:https://m.mscdirect.com/mobileweb/category?catId=12106186&searchTerm=%2351+drillSent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 01:19:42 am
content: Searching fordrill 1/16"on ebay yields other sellers.I have bought cheap 3mm and 0.5mm drill bits off eBay in little red bags of 10. They're useless on steel, but they're more than good enough for wood and on the aluminiums that I use.

author: amitchell
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 01:25:42 am
content: I would go ahead and drill that at 1/16in. You will never hit 1 thou accuracy with a bench top drill press, i bet it has atleast a few thou runout on the spindle. You should get a spot or center drill to start that hole with or else it will just walk around and drill a trilobed hole.

author: ChunkyPastaSauce
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 02:37:05 am
content: Tolerance on datasheet says +-.005, so the hole can be .062 to .072 diameter. I'd pick the .0625 drill over a .067 unless the material is very hard.FYI a decent setup and reasonable quality drill, .0625 drill will typically oversize by .0015 +-.005 in steel for a .064+-.005 holeIf you want to be 100% sure, use a .067 reamer

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 02:53:00 am
content: If you just need onehttp://www.harborfreight.com/115-pc-titanium-nitride-coated-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-61543.htmlthen you have 114 other drills

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 03:56:22 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on August 28, 2016, 02:53:00 amand a lunch box

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 04:10:42 am
content: After listening to all of you, I think I will give a try with a plain 1/16". At the end, my project is very far from a precision exercise.But I will keep in mind the idea of using center / spot drill (they aren't cheap) and the point about unavoidable drilled hole oversize.I will postpone buying a set.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 04:39:16 am
content: Since we are talking about small drills, I lost mine.It was the exact size of a red spray tube that comes with WD-40 cans. I know it is not a standard size. I was able to keep track of the bit for 5 years but I finally lost it.The reason I need it, is I use it to drill holes into wood that has termites. I have a 30cc syringe that I fitted the red tube to. I then insert the syringe with a very good termite killer and inject it into the wood. The special bit I had would allow the tube to go into the wood and create a seal that I could use pressure to push the liquid into the termite tubes. Have had 100% success with it. Now I need it again and do not have a drill guide. The bit is probably 1/1000ths of an inch smaller than the tube.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 04:49:23 am
content: I save those red tubes. They live in a top drawer of my toolbox.I can always find one there - but trying to keep them with the can is a sure way for them to disappear without a trace.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 04:57:05 am
content: Quote from: Back2Volts on August 28, 2016, 01:11:36 amYou definitely don't need or want a carbide drill bit for this.

author: john_p_wi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 02:19:45 pm
content: FYI, in industry we use McMaster, they are the Mouser of Hardware!IF you decide that you want a specific drill size, see here:http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-drill-bits/=13x71lg

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 04:09:10 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on August 28, 2016, 04:57:05 amThat is an intriguing statement. Do you mean for this use I should avoid carbide ? Or is it that HSS would perform best ? Or is it I should just hammer the thing in

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 06:15:13 pm
content: Quote from: Back2Volts on August 28, 2016, 04:09:10 pmAn HSS bit would work fine, would be cheaper, and you wouldn't break it.

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 06:54:07 pm
content: Got it, thanks.

author: mathsquid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2016, 12:49:49 am
content: Quote from: Back2Volts on August 27, 2016, 10:53:34 pmI've had a lot of success with this set of small drill bits from Harbor Freight. And they are cheap.http://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-steel-micro-drill-bit-set-30-pc-61526.htmlQuote from: Back2Volts on August 27, 2016, 10:53:34 pmYou can get this same set of bits at Harbor Freight for less, but I can't find them on their website right now.

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2016, 05:33:47 pm
content: Quote from: mathsquid on August 29, 2016, 12:49:49 amThat is cheap, but as they get shuffled around without a case, I hate having to figure out what size is which. Still, I may order a set may be put them in labeled baggies.Quote from: mathsquid on August 29, 2016, 12:49:49 amI found it. It is a 20 bit Warrior branded set that I have seen in many places, with no description of its content, but from the feedback at HF, it has 10x2 bits, while the one I posted has 20 different bits.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2016, 10:37:45 pm
content: For plastics You might want to do this:(I know this is for brass but it works for plastics exactly the same thing).

author: Back2Volts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 09:11:45 pm
content: Quote from: ZeTeX on August 29, 2016, 10:37:45 pmHow interesting!

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 09:18:15 pm
content: I buy my cutting tools from Little Machine Shop. Most of his drill sets are Made In The USA.http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3043&category=-456343308

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2016, 06:05:09 pm
content: Try a hobby shop, either physical or online. In the US, there's a hobby tools company called Micro Mark that sells pretty much nothing BUT small tools, from hand tools to lathes and laser cutters. You can easily get stuff down to #80.

author: chris_leyson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2016, 06:50:30 pm
content: I just picked up a box of HSS small twist drills Microbox 0.5-2.2mm, guess what 0.7,0.9,1.1,1.4,1.6,1.7,1.9 and 2.1mm are missing grrrr.If you're drilling a plastic enclosure then use HSS drill bit at low(ish) speed and drill a pilot hole first. Avoid carbide drills for this sort of job, they're exremely hard and very brittle, good for PCBs at high speed. If your carbide drill bit wanders or vibrates then say good bye drill bit.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2016, 06:02:06 pm
content: Quote from: chris_leyson on August 31, 2016, 06:50:30 pmif the drill you are using has what's called split point, then you can get away without drilling pilot hole at all, because the drill will center itself because it has a point in the middle and not a "chisel" edge.

author: Jeff_Birt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2016, 06:38:52 pm
content: <shamless_plug>Take a look at:http://www.soigeneris.com/drill_bits-list.aspx</shameless_plug>The above is my website. The overall point is to buy good quality bits. Most of what you will find on EBay is cheap import bits that are not sharp and are made from something that only vaguely resembles carbide. If you use carbide bits use a drill press as they will not tolerate side loading and you will break them (as mentioned above). Dremel tools are great for many thing but their collets suck, they have a tremendous amount of run-out and will break small drill bits left and right. if you have one of the Dremel drill press attachments be warned. I've used inexpensive ($100) bench top drill presses that had good enough run-out that it was possible to get by with carbide bits.If you are doing PCB work then carbide is a must, the FR4 will eat HSS tools very, very quickly. Not all carbide tools are the same, there are many grades of carbide and many quality levels to grinding the bits.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2016, 06:50:20 pm
content: Quote from: Jeff_Birt on September 01, 2016, 06:38:52 pmIt would be nice if you would actually read the thread before plugging your site. The OP is drilling plastic!

author: Jeff_Birt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2016, 07:14:06 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 01, 2016, 06:50:20 pmNo need to be a prick.The small bits intended for PCB work are also good for general purpose work, they have a 1/8" shank and so are easy to hold in a common drill press which might not hold very small bits without a pin vise (which is another source of run-out). I read through the thread and there was some talk of PCB work thus the information about FR4 and different bit types. I also tried to add some good information about working with small drill bits.I don't care where the OP buys his bits but was trying to help by providing useful information.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2016, 08:36:16 pm
content: Quote from: Jeff_Birt on September 01, 2016, 06:38:52 pmMost rotary tool's out there expect ebay cheapies are pretty decent and have basically 0 runout.I'm using SKIL rotary tool 125W basically a copy of dremel and by eye I dont see any runout at all, I drilled alot of holes using >0.3mm carbide drills from ebay and had 0 problems.(I'm using homemade drilling stand if it matters).