Drill bits for Metal

ManicMan

ManicMan

Member
okay, drilling into metal often kinda wrecks the drill bit after a short time and some times just doesn't work.. I think one of the problems I have atleast is not the correct drill bits.. IF they are gonna have a hard life, might as well get cheap so it's not such a problem when they brake.. but that isn't always a good thing..

For drilling metal (mostly we are talking about figures) but any one have good recommendations on drill bit types?
Well, I know Spade, masonry, and Tile drill bits out out.. Auger is also out.

HSS bits appear to be the best but can you get them small? often Drill bits don't get quite as small as would be best.. I mean, I think 1mm is a good small size, though I believe i have smaller) but often you can't get them that small or need to buy a set which you get 1 you want, and a bunch you don't for it.. not too bad but if it's not gonna last long, it's gonna add up..

also you then have some coating types.. Diamond can be Bonded or sintered, though some say maybe titanium nitride or something else is a better coating for drilling metal..

Any ideas for Decent Drill bits? or atleast, what type to look for as the best?
 
EricF

EricF

Administrator
HSS drills should be fine for ages - all the casting alloys are fairly soft. Just avoid buying bundled tatty bits with no ends (one pin vice I bought when I couldn't find my proper one came with bits and not one had been sharpened, vice was okay however) :)

The set I use most of the time with minis at present are: https://www.expotools.com/acatalog/11516-16pc-HSS-Twist-Drill-Set-11516.html which have served me fine for several years now, very happy with the quality of those. I do have a few other 1-3mm HSS bits that have migrated from my main tools into my modelling pile as well, but they were nothing special - just reasonable quality HSS bits from tool suppliers.

I'd avoid places like Amazon in general and buy from someone who actually has a bit of a reputation to maintain. You can find bits from 0.3mm upwards on places like CPC Farnell for acceptable prices. To be honest you're most likely to snap small bits before you blunt them. I find I tend to use 1mm brass rod for most of my moderate sized pinning and as flight stands these days. Sometimes thicker if it's a real beast. I do have some "stupid small" stuff for pinning little things, but it's a pain!
 
ManicMan

ManicMan

Member
Oh, I'm not 100% sue on the snapping.. I have a jigsaw blade which... they are meant to snap when they brake.. it has a nice 90 degree bend in it now.. How the hell I was able to do that, I'm not sure.. But I have a habit of such things.. and as I have a .... habit of cutting myself up and stuff, I try to avoid most power tools, though I have a Dremel.. normally someone else does the jigsaw work cause even with the straight edge, I can't cut a straight line ^_^;

For alot of Pinning.. I'm lazy.. It's a little thick at times but I'm lazy and have a large collection of old paperclips.. Paperclip metal is pretty good ^_^
 

gorketh

Member
I use Fox Jewellers drill bits, tungsten/vanadium. They all have a standard shank size which is convenient. I assume any jeweller specific drill bits would be suitable. I also use beeswax as a lubricant on the drill bits when drilling white metal/lead miniatures.
 
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