Small Drill Bit Question

bcall2043

bcall2043

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I bought a old Kennedy tool box and was cleaning it out when I noticed some small drill bits scattered about. One of the drill bits measures 0.015 inch in diameter. I do not have any tool that could accept this drill bit. Even if I did I know I would break it first thing. The question I have is what kind of chuck could hold this small drill and how could you feed it into a material without breaking it?

The more I learn about this hobby, the more the skills of the real machinist amaze me.

Benny

Small Drill Bit 001.jpg
 
You sometimes see them used to clean out ports in carburetors, but I've not seen them used much for drilling. I've used them a few times for holes in homemade aperture rifle sights. I have never used them with power. Like you said, they are very easy to break, so I've always turned them by hand in a pin vise.

Patrick
 
They actually come smaller than that. I've used them a bit, and several all around that size. Orifices, and PCB's come to mind immediately. I use mine in what is called a "Sensitive Drill Chuck":

App_Sensitive_Drill.jpg
The downward pressure is applied solely with the fingers.

Commonly used also in CNC machines due to the delicate nature.

App_Sensitive_Drill.jpg
 
They are also used to drill holes in the nozzles of 3D printers, down to 0.25 mm. What's that, about 0.010"?

Roy
 
So I guess you need a .010 reamer to finish huh ?:lmao::lmao: They do get quite a bit smaller. They're not that difficult to use once you become familiar with them. The Albrecht 3/8 chuck will hold them. Using them in the Brdgprt type they will bend before breaking so that gives you an idea of how much pressure you should apply. They are more forgiving than carbide drills of that size. I have use them in medical and electronic prototype items but it really depends on the use or application. Now when I sharpen them:biggrin::biggrin:-----------Just kidding. The first part is real, the sharpen part you toss and buy another. That's why they sell them in packs of ten
Keep it handy you just might have a use for it in the future!
dickr
 
bcall2043 said:
do not have any tool that could accept this drill bit. Even if I did I know I would break it first thing. The question I have is what kind of chuck could hold this small drill and how could you feed it into a material without breaking i

Benny
Click to expand...

Here is a #80 drill. 0.0135" in a Jacobs #0 chuck. It is designed to hold small drills. Albrect makes an equivilent chuck.
They are expensive. I got this one in new condition on eBay. I made my own sensitive holder. I have used the #60 to #80 drill set several times.

Benji
 
You can also use a powered drill that is made for these smaller sizes. The smallest I have used is .005" but usually .012" and .020". Yes they are flexible, I just wished the larger sizes were that forgiving.
 
If this helps Ben, go to any welding supply, picture a ball point pen, the ball point is the chuck and
a set of drills are in the pen. They are so small and delicate. Used for drilling OX torch tips.
 
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