Workers Of Wood

SMALL DRILL BITS


Sometimes referred to as ‘numbered bits’ , their very small diameter makes them difficult if not impossible to use in standard 3 jaw drill chucks.
The good news is that you don’t need to invest in a new precision chuck designed for the purpose. http://www.micro-machine-shop.com/drill ... cro_Chucks

Grobet USA1 makes a small pin chuck, complete with three different collets, that mounts in your drill press or portable drill (you’d need a steady hand). The bits are somewhat fragile, so the drill press is certainly a better choice.
This ‘chuck’ is available from Bear Woods:
https://www.woodparts.ca/product5910.html
Anything in the Grobet catalogue can be ordered through Bear Woods (Canada)




Note that the numbered bits end at #1 (.2280”) and are followed by lettered bits A~Z (.4130”)
These bits are of particular use in scroll sawing for starting holes. A short video clip of drilling with the Grobet pin chuck in a portable drill here:




1... Grobet USA: http://www.grobetusa.com/pin-chuck-set- ... no-58-325/

What did I do wrong? The pictures were supposed to appear in the text where the word "image' appears.

DaninVan wrote: ↑Wed Oct 07, 2020 8:19 pm What did I do wrong? The pictures were supposed to appear in the text where the word "image' appears.

Great post Dan, just the other day I was having trouble with a tiny bit in my 3/8 battery drill.
Herb

Stick486 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 07, 2020 8:36 pm did you use drag and drop or the attachment function...

I think I tried both. I clearly need to be watched over...

Does anyone have an opinion as to which is the better of the bunch? More importantly, which is the best value for the money?

That Grobet collet device is basically a pin vise. mounting it in he DP chuck gives you a lot ofstability and control...however it is easy to over power the drilling and break or bend the bits. Fair warning : buy bits in multiples. You WILL break or bend them occasionally.

MikeSibley wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:12 am Does anyone have an opinion as to which is the better of the bunch? More importantly, which is the best value for the money?

Hey Mike; sorry, not clear on what you were referring to(?). Small bit suppliers?

I buy my bits from Tacoma Screw Products
Herb

DaninVan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 11:54 am

MikeSibley wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:12 am Does anyone have an opinion as to which is the better of the bunch? More importantly, which is the best value for the money?

Hey Mike; sorry, not clear on what you were referring to(?). Small bit suppliers?

No, I was talking about the collets. I have some small bits that I use for pilot holes in my clock projects and they are too small for my drill press collets.

Here's the link to that chuck; Bear Woods in the US...
https://www.bearwood.com/micro-drill-bi ... llets.html
At $12US how can you go wrong?

When I did my 2020 2x4 Challenge, a Kappla block set with box out of Western maple, the box sides were very thin. I couldn't spline the mitered corners so I decided to pin them. That's how I got into this whole numbered bit thing.
I found brass rod .081" dia. then paired that up with a #46 bit. As a backup I also bought some 3/32" dowel from Bear Wood* along with that Grobet bit holder. Worked like a hot damn!
The brass rod only needed a gentle tap to seat firmly in the drilled holes. I left them maybe a .001' proud and finish sanded the whole exterior down flat.
the poly locked everything in.

*Re that dowel from Bear Wood. It's made in the US and it's superb quality!!! Highly recommended.

I've been a pin vise guy but that add-on chuck sure does look inviting...

DaninVan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 1:33 pm I couldn't spline the mitered corners so I decided to pin them

I'm liking that pin idea especially on thin walled stock.
Do you think it adds any strength to the joint ? Or more for cosmetics ?

Stick486 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:47 am I still say get a 0''~ whatever chuck and put it on your cordless....
or replace your cordless w/ the better level of a Bosch 12V that will already have that chuck on it...

The only way to get a dead on perpendicular hole is to use a drill press, hand held drills just don't give that level of accuracy. Having said that, I drilled the holes with the DP in the faces of the boards then used my hand drill with the Grobet chuck to extend the holes into the mating boards after they were dry. The outer hole stabilized the bit going in.

Like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Gator-Tools- ... 862&sr=8-6
2x the price of the Grobet chuck
In any case, we've strayed from the topic of SMALL BITS.

It won't let me post a URL from Amazon(?)...

A thought just occurred to me (OK, you in the back, stop sniggering!)...
If you're using one of those block style guides, how do you accurately center it when you can't see the hole location?

DaninVan wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 1:53 pm It won't let me post a URL from Amazon(?)...

No? Why not? What does it tell you?

Yes, yes you do!

Sominus wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 2:12 pm

DaninVan wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 1:53 pm It won't let me post a URL from Amazon(?)...

No? Why not? What does it tell you?

It just has a logo for Amazon. Maybe if you click on the logo something happens? I didn't try that.

Send me a non-forum email with what you are trying to post...

Sominus wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:41 pm Send me a non-forum email with what you are trying to post...

...I've forgotten what it was.