"1mm drill bits?" Topic

I've posted this here because it doesn't seem to fit anywhere else, and I guess I'll get the best answer here.

I've used the last of my old stock of 1mm drill bits. They were very good, but unfortunately I didn't make a note of where I got them from.

The ones I ordered to replace them are garbage – they are so blunt they melt rather than cut their way through metal figures.

So … can anyone recommend a brand/UK supplier? I am aware of Expo and Squires.

I see that Screwfix offer Erbauer and DeWalt. Anyone tried them?

I bought a similar bunch of drills, that blunt quickly, from Boyes – cheap as chips, totally rubbish.

DeWalt are excellent, top quality. Expensive but last.

I'm also using drills in a pack of 20 pieces ranging from 0.3 – 1.6 mm by Microbox that are very good and quite cheap – I think I payed £4.00 GBP for the box. Several will never get used but the size range is handy.

Might I suggest, when things open up again, that you look to a local quality hardware store. I use Mortens of Ilkley, who sell loose 1 mm drills at about £0.70 GBP a throw.

P.S. The drills I get from Mortens are 'standard' quality. O.K. for drilling through alloy castings but would suffer drilling through mild steel – for which I'd use DeWalt or similar high quality drills.

Here's your baby reduced on ebay

auction

I use Heller, which I buy from ebay (UK). Good, sharp, no real issues. I do tend to use 1.5mm bits though, so can't comment on their 1mm bits. Usually under £4.00 GBP (posted) for 10 bits

Tamiya bits and pin vise work for me with metal figures, probably use the .8 mil the most. Had the same set for about 100 headswap conversions and numerous other duties. Still good.

Draper. I bought a ten pack of their 0.5mm bits. I think they are made in Germany. I've yet to break one drilling metal.

I also use Microbox but I frequently break them.

Look at electronics hobby suppliers – small diameter bits are a stock item, used for drilling holes in fiberglass circuit boards, I could get 10 packs of 1, .8 and smaller either all the one size or an assortment (I'm not in the UK).

@ Olicana.
You jogged my memory. The last batch were from Boyes, and they most certainly are rubbish. Softwood only.

@ Bill Armintrout.
Thanks for moving post. I looked for a more specific sub forum, but didn't see this one.

@All.
Thanks for replies. I'll try Draper cobalt first as these are supposed to cut steel and there's an automative supplier nearby. Then it'll be DeWalt when Screwfix opens.

100's of horses to drill and pin and no drill bits. Grrr …

I had meant to ask about pin vises. Bought a Restore that was so bad it literally wouldn't hold a bit. I'll look at Tamiya.

Unfortunately, hobby shops have been all shutting down around us except for Hobby Lobby. Won't shop there when they re-open because they already opened in conscious violation of public health shut-down orders. (Sent memos to store managers about how to falsely claim they were an "essential business," while having completely different motivations. Knowingly put employees at risk.)

Anyhow, I'll try mail order. Now I need some sort of micro-vise to hold to hold these spaceships so that I can drill into the length of super-narrow parts. Arrgh.