Source of decent drill bits.

[Banjer]

As the title says I am looking for some drill bits, sizes 1mm to 2mm, for drilling white metal so I can pin joints. I have tried many off eBay of various prices but they hardly touch the metal.

Some one out there must know a good source of decent bits so please share.

Cheers

Bill

 

[Tecumsea]

Hi Bill,

I find the ones produced by Dremel very good.

Keith

 

[valiant]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-straight-shank-metal-drill-bits-1mm-x-34mm-5-pack/21671

 

[Chrisr]

Hello Banjer,
Have you tried dipping the bits in oil. I use olive oil and that makes quite a difference.
Regards
Chris

 

[Banjer]

Thank you for the tips.

Keith, I have used dremel and agree they are good but I have only found them in sets most of which I don't use.

Steve, I will give these drills a go, thanks.

Chris, I will try your tip with olive oil.

Cheers Bill

 

[Alex]

Norseman drill bits made in USA
and water will be as effective as oil without leaving any residue

 

[Banjer]

Alex,
Norseman get great reviews but, like Dremel, only seem available in mixed sets in UK.

Bill

 

[theBaron]

I use generic bits:



I got that from a tool liquidator at a woodworking show; you never know where you're going to find things.

However, I do not chuck these into a rotary tool for drilling. I use them in a pin vise. A rotary tool is too much power for the task, for me. Your mileage may vary, of course.

These bits are not hardened steel, either. But they work just fine for drilling white metal, and even resin, for pinning.

I do have some hardened steel bits that I bought from US vendor Micro-Mark, specifically for drilling holes in steel base plates I got for my 54mm figures. The blue case bits don't even scratch material like that. But like I said, those work fine for me for drilling holes for pins. You can probably find similar sets online, too.

Hope that helps!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Banjer]

Hi Brad, I have a set of bits very similar to the ones you show and find them to be useable. I tend to use 1mm bits mostly and of course there is only one in this set. That is why I was looking for individual sizes.

Thanks for replying,
Cheers Bill

 

[Banjer]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-straight-shank-metal-drill-bits-1mm-x-34mm-5-pack/21671

Bought some today and tried them tonight, they are good and are the only ones I have used that work in a pin vice. That is actually make progress when drilling. Recommended.

Thanks Steve

Bill

 

[theBaron]

Hi Brad, I have a set of bits very similar to the ones you show and find them to be useable. I tend to use 1mm bits mostly and of course there is only one in this set. That is why I was looking for individual sizes.

Thanks for replying,
Cheers Bill

Sure thing!
Yeah, though that set has some very fine bits, I use mostly the ones in the #60s range, and a #72, I think. Those match the wire stock I use for pinning. The bits I bought to drill steel are #62s, too.

Prost!
Brad