Drill bits - recommend some please.

[Orctrader]

I have had some drill bits for years - no idea where they came from  - that I use when drilling and pinning metal figures is required.  Older miniatures with plenty of lead in the mix are no issue but lately I have tried on some recently manufactured miniatures where the metal seems much harder and they don't seem upto the job.

Please recommend then some new drill bits available in the UK.   

[FifteensAway]

Are you using hand powered drilling or machine powered drilling?  If the former, perhaps try the latter - with a variable speed drill set to as slow as possible; too much speed can generate enough eat to start melting metal.  Afraid that's all I have for you.

[snitcythedog]

This is a huge issue for me too.  Most drill bits on the market do not work well for hand drilling miniatures as the pitch on the tip of the bit is wrong.  It is usually too shallow coming to a flat surface rather than a shallow point.  My last good supply came from an old hardware store that closed when the owner retired and I have been scrambling since.   

My best suggestion would be to look for tungsten carbide dental or circuit board drill bits.  The pitch is better for what we do but the down side is they tend to be shorter bits.  I will use them to create pilot holes that can be bored out with cheaper hardware store bits if thicker pinning is required.   

Hope that helps. 

[2010sunburst]

Make an indent with a pointed tool such as a scriber.  Start small and work up to the size you want.  Also, lubricate the drill with a drop of spit because white metal can bind and clog the drill point.  If you go powered be prepared for plenty of broken drills.  It might actually be time to replace them.  Look on eBay or Amazon.  They are cheap enough. 

[Tarnegol]

By far the best ones I have found are those sold by Proops Brothers, specifically the titanium coated HSS bits. Available in various sizes and quantities either from Proops Brothers own website or eBay.

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Bits can grow dull and need sharpening. Little bits are probably cheaper to just replace. Jewelers tool suppliers are a great source and bits are designed for soft metals like silver.   The tips stated about indenting first and lubing (I use baby oil or wax) are important not to ignore.High speed and pushing too fast are not your friends as friction can actually melt the microscopic surface of your hole binding the bit and this is what causes a lot of grief, like a broken bit chunk left stuck in your hole.

[Storm Wolf]

Dremel drill bits, small in the sizes you most probably want and sharp as hell 

[Orctrader]

Thanks.  I'll look at Dremel first.

[Khusru2]

I got a cheap set off Amazon. It actually says grinding tool on the box but it is a drill. Very small drill bits included, just right for little hands. A cordless mini rotary toolset for £19 incl. postage

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

If you can spend the money, look for a jeweler’s flexible arm rotaryhand tool and variable speed motor (with a foot pedal).  I use Foredom and Rio Grande.  Far better quality than a Dremel, which vibrate horribly in comparison.  You will be far happier in the long run, but these guys run around $200-300 dollars.

[Daeothar]

I've used bits from all over the place; model shops, hardware stores, Euro/Pound/Dollarstores, AliExpress, you name it.

And it might be my hamfisted approach, but I've never found much difference between those products. Eventually, they will fail (read: break. Usually because I can't keep the dang thing at a straight  angle ) and I will replace them.

I used to do almost everything by hand with a couple of pinvices. A couple, so I didn't have to switch out drill bits during my builds. And this would often also mean switching out the chuck holding the drill bits.

For heavier work, either in chunky white metal or loads of holes, I used an Ikea rechargeable drill. It's pretty big for hobby purposes, but small enough to maneuver around without too much hassle. It is good, but as mentioned; rather large:



And then I came across this thing called a Wow-Stick. I was sceptical at first, but I saw a lot of raving reviews on youtube, and decided to take the plunge.



The great thing about this drill is its size; it's basically a chunky pen. Also; it puts torque over speed, making it ideal for drilling metal minis. I'm using it almost exclusively these days, and one charge will literally last me weeks (depends on the amount of drilling you do, obviously).

The only down side I can find is that the drill will only accept a proprietary size drills; my large collection of other drill bits will not fit. I'm hoping some third party will come up with some chucks that will allow for any shaft size to be clamped and then this would absolutely be the perfect hobby drill (for me, at least).

I can highly recommend it...

[Panzer21]

Arrowmax do drill bits that supposedly fit the Wow-stick as well as their own mini drill.

Neil

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

What is the diameter of the shaft that is inserted into the tool?  They look like jeweler’s bits which are 1/8” at the bottom. Not sure there is a propriety format there…may well be lots of suppliers.

[Daeothar]

Arrowmax do drill bits that supposedly fit the Wow-stick as well as their own mini drill.

Neil

Cheers; I'll check them out

And the diameter is 2.25mm(-ish; my electronic calipers died on me, so it's the old fashioned analog way ) which would be about 0.0886 inch. Doesn't sound like a standard to me, but I'm helpless as a baby when it comes to imperial measurements

Also; you can see the difference between the original chuck at the top (the brass one) and the universal, multi-thickness ones below...

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Collets are not the best way to grip a drill bit.  I find them hard to tighten and you are limited to specific diameters.  My hand piece’s chuck for my Foredom can tighten around a thin needle or a big 1/4” bit as well.