Thread: Drill bit for scales

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I would suggest if you are drilling pin holes in bone, ivory, bakelite, or other hard, brittle materials to use one of these by hand and go slow. You can feel your progress and back up as needed. A fast spinning drill can crack scales if a snag is hit, particularly as the bit goes through the bottom. While a slow process, it also gives a way to correct angle as you drill.

What are those called

I prefer an HSS (Hardened Stainless Steel), lipped Brad point, 5/64" drill bit. Eliminates any skating and tear out on the top or bottom of the hole.

Lee Valley Tools. They're about 4 bucks a piece.

Brad points are nice,but if you can drill a .062 hole in a precision manner,is no reason to go oversize.
A .062 pin in a sloppy hole is not a precise fit. But if you need the wiggle room,do it.

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

What are those called

It is called a "tip drill". A staple at welding supply's. They usually come with smaller, tiny bits for clearing cutting/welding torch tips. Handy for pilot holes and other uses. You can separately get a 1/16 and a 5/64 bits for it as well . Mine can take a 5/64 bit but not much bigger. Storage for bits is in the end. I use worn bits from unpinning for it. Cobalt split tip bits from Bass Tool. Super cheap in the short length. I doubt one could ever wear out one on scales. Even after drilling out fifty brass/silver pins.

AKA-Pinvice

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

AKA-Pinvice

Indeed! (they are marked as a "tip drill" at the local welding supply!) There are some bits in the handle surely small as pins. Maybe smaller!
Now I have an idea to cut the head off of a straight pin and use as a precision point! Thanks!

Hand sanding does not make this easy I'm having a hard time creating a arch or should I say keeping it

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Indeed! (they are marked as a "tip drill" at the local welding supply!) There are some bits in the handle surely small as pins. Maybe smaller!
Now I have an idea to cut the head off of a straight pin and use as a precision point! Thanks!

Pinvice,Drillvice,Tip drill,all the same tool,are handy for all sorts of things,I even use them to hold scalpel blades.

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

Hand sanding does not make this easy I'm having a hard time creating a arch or should I say keeping it

Sorry. We are into drilling here! Start a new thread!

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Pinvice,Drillvice,Tip drill,all the same tool,are handy for all sorts of things,I even use them to hold scalpel blades.

Ha! Shoulda Known! You da MAN!

Will any drill bit fit in a pin vice cause thee lure is one on widget supply for less than 3 dollars