"Drill bits, and a source thereof?" Topic

I was assembling a miniature today -- a Dark Sword figure, of a female archer -- when I rediscovered something that I had managed to forget.

My drill bits suck.

I was drilling out the mini's arm, so that I could insert a pin to hold the hand/bow in place -- the molded pin was far too small to give a secure bond. So I broke out my pin vise and started drilling, using the Carbide Steel bits that I picked up at the Trenton Computer Show about 15 years ago.

The good thing about these bits is that they have a nice big base, so it's easy for the pin vise to grab them securely.

The bad thing? Broke three of the bloody bits in the process of drilling, and embedded the stump of one of them in my finger.

What's a good source of really tiny drill bits that won't snap if you give them a hard look? Pin-vise friendly is a plus, obviously.

And now that I think of it, is there a good place to order Squadron putty from? Seven years of Not Painting wasn't good for the tube that I had.

MicroMark carries both bits and putty. micromark.com

Micro-Mark has a great selection of tools for the modelling hobbyist.

link

LOL! Joe beat me by seconds!

Agreed that Mirco-Mark is the best resource for the specialized bits we use.

I've mislaid my set (along with my favorite pin vise), so guess I'll be ordering some… I find the metal-case set too fiddly, so will give the plastic case a try despite the higher price.

Anyone know of an equivalent supplier in the UK. I recently snapped yet another bit. I would dearly love to get some bits that widen at the base end for better gripin the vice.

I use a 1/16 bit in my Dewalt Cordless drill.
Works the same for me as a pin vise…

I have a hard time fitting those fine drill bits into my pin vise -- I just can't get the grip tight enough to keep the bit from sliding out.

These bits that I've been using, crappy though the metal is, have a nice wide base so that I can get a tight fit.

Maybe I should get a new pin vise as well -- I've had this one for 25 years now, and it's served me fairly well.

Modelzone in the UK sell them – I have moved over to the wider shank drills now as I find they suit my pin vice.

But the little ones will break quite easily with any side movement. A bench drill will be the best bet really.