Thread: Drill bit for scales

What is a good drill for putting holes in the scales

Any, of the proper size.

So 1/16 will work just fine

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

So 1/16 will work just fine

Works for me,some go a tad oversize,See no need for it tho,also mount a 1/16 bit in a pin vice to have handy on the bench while fitting things up.

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.

Sometimes having an oversize hole can allow you to move things around a bit while pinning if the blade will not center properly. I have some tapered pin reamers that work great for this. Look further down in this forum. Gsixxgun wrote a great little article on it.

I normally use a 1/16 bit. I normally give the scales a very small 'wiggle' once the hole is drilled to make it ever-so-slightly larger than 1/16. I find that sometimes the pin stock is slightly larger than 1/16.
What ever you do go slow and make sure it goes through square to the scales.

Stu

Indeed a bit of wobbling works well. Accomplished easily by the little "tip drill" I pictured. One can also saw back and forth until alignment is straight using only the drill bit!

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.

If you are using a higher-speed drill or drill press (and even if you are going slow) it is always a good idea to put some scrap wood under the thing you are drilling. This can greatly help reduce tear-out as the bit passes through the bottom. If you are drilling into air, there will be a tendency for the material to crack or split as the bit pushes through the last little bit.

Great thread! Good ideas from all. It shows there is more than one way to relieve a cat from it's skin!
I have taken to drilling thru until I can feel that "snag" at the end with my little tip drill. I then flip the scale over and go at the other side, gently! It chips thru easily by backing up a half turn and trying again.