"How do I use a Pin Vise??" Topic

Okay, on advice from others, I've bought myself a pin vise. Now that I own this wonderous gift to gaming, what the hell do I do with it??

It's absolutely essential to drill out hands on standard bearers or lancers in order to replace soft, cast pokes with brass wire replacements. It is also good to drill holes to insert pins when reattaching broken parts.

Rick

Despite the confusing name, it's simply a small handheld drill. And what Florida Tory said it's for is exactly what it's for.

It seems to require a fair amount of effort to make a hole with it. Am I doing something wrong?

Any weapon like a Space Marine bolter can be enhanced by drilling out the shooty end of the barrel a little to make it look like something could actually come out of it.

There is a wide range of bit sizes available. Keep in mind that some pin vice chucks won't clamp the smaller ones, so it can get more complicated than having just a pin vise.

"It is also good to drill holes to insert pins when reattaching broken parts."

You may want to, or simply need to, pin some parts when assembling models.

I've never been able to make an adequate hole either. I may have been using the wrong bit.

Did you get the model with a swivel grip on one end ?

Suppose I am drilling through a metal casting. I first make a pilot he with a scratch awl. This is just to give me a start do the drill bit does not " wander".
Basically, put the bit there and twist. The swivel grip gives you a bit more force , since it rests in the pa of the drillong hand.
Start with a smaller bit and work up to a larger one. Less work.

Re: No one said it would be easy.

An old thread, but it's not just you …

TMP link

And I've managed to spell it vise and vice in the same sentence.

Danged differences between English and American English.

Drilling in minis can be affected by the material.. harder material = harder to drill. Also drill bits will wear.. dull bit = harder to drill.
Drilling a smaller diameter 'pilot' hole, then moving up to the desired diameter drill bit can also help ease your pain.
Cheers !

The Exacto pin vise is a bitch to use with any force, having a hexagonal swivel end that digs into my palm. I have a different brand (not in the same room as my 'puter, so I am not remembering who makes it), with two different sized chucks that will, between alternating them, fit literally any size of drill bit meant to go into a pin vise, i.e. small to very small, and it has a nice, comfy rounded wooden palm handle. The main things to stick with when using this tool are to take it slow, with just barely enough pressure to create drilling shavings, and keep the bit straight. When you get down in there a ways and the bit seems to grab, that is time to gently pull out while still twisting the bit. The shavings have clogged the cutting edges on the bit and need cleaning out, then go at it again, cleaning out the bit often….

This is an SE Swivel Head pin vise made in India. The set came with a large selection of bits.

If you are drilling hard material, some lubrication can help. Actual cutting oil is one thing, alternatively you can twist the drill bit in candle wax, or simply dip it in water … or easier/worse-yet lick your finger and wipe the bit – I advise against licking the bit directly.

One or 3 things about drill bits: do NOT spin them backward in the hole. This rolls over the cutting edge and they don't cut much of anything after that. I also recommend buying good bits from a tool maker not a hobby craft company. you also want bits listed for drilling metal not wood. and I agree about cleaning them out often sometimes I need a dental pick to do it because the metal used in minis is soft and gums up the channels. I hope this helps. one more trick I use a awl to punch the place on the mini where I want to drill the hole,(called indexing) this stops the bit from walking around and keeps the hole where you want it. :) enjoy and have safe drilling fun :)

As a drill. Like others have said above.

I use a pin vise or my rechargable dremel depending on the task. The pin vise is a very handy tool for a hobbyist with more precision use. Play around with it and you will like it.

To add to Ron's comments look for HSS (High Speed Steel) bits, or Carbide bits from your local tool supplier. BTW This is probably not the local hardware store and almost assuredly not the local Big Box home improvement or auto parts store but an industrial tool supplier. Look up Reid Tools (Essentra) online. They should be able to help you out on that.

link

I have a pin vise but am looking at about 60 Old Glory 25mm miniatures that I need to drill holes in their hands for spears. Would a dremel be a faster alternative – and if so would anyone have a recommendation for a model? Thanks in advance!

I now use a dremel tool to drill out hands. If there is no obvious recess to start the drilling you may still need the pin vice to crank out an indentation/start the hole.

link

Couple of things to add (might be of use?).
1.Ket in the drill by pressing a compass spike or similar so that the whole starts at the right place.
2.Lubricate by having soe water nearby. Otherwise the drill will break or stick.
3. Don't drill too deep before pulling the drill out and clearing the swarf now and again.
4. Don't recommend a dremel as if the figure spins or drill goes out of direction there are bad outcomes.
5. Drill bits can be very cheap from a good hardware supplier.

martin

I personally think a pin vise is not far from a stone age tool.

I use a Black and Decker cordless variable speed electric drill. I did not buy it for miniatures work. But I found its chuck will hold the tiniest drill bit I want to use. No problem with bit size #73. I think I have used smaller.

I have don lots of Foundry 25mm Plains Indians. I will change weapons. After cutting off the weapon I want to replace, I will use the drill to drill a hole a hole through the figures hand (fist).

I then cut a section out of a Winchester where his hand would be. I then have two pieces of the gun left. I drill a hole in each, put a piece of insect pin through the hand and glue each end of the gun on to the appropriate ends of the pin.

That would take forever with a pin vise. I have not used one in decades.

Tom

I use a cordless variable speed Dremel. Pin vices made my fingers bleed.
:)

Pin vices are better than drills because of the better control you have over the spin. You don't have to turn off a pin vice in an " emergency".

You don't have to turn a variable speed drill off either. You just let go of the trigger. Variable speed is the key here as it is not like a dremel; either on or off. You can control the speed to a very precise degree like a dimmer switch on a light, or the trigger on an airbrush. Drills are the way to go if you can afford them, and you have additional uses for them around the house.

As for as affordability goes, I think I only paid $35.00 USD or $40.00 USD dollars for mine that came with a separate light that operated off the same battery.

Tom