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Whats the best drill bits.
I need to replace some of my drill bits for drilling pens. What type are best.
Glen
I tend to drill the blanks rather than the pens
[MENTION=1196]glenpen[/MENTION] I have quite a few standard spur tipped ones that I find are brilliant. But standard drill bits apart from that, just need to be aware and drill steady through the blanks to minimise break out.
Try UK drills UK Drills - The on-line choice for Drill Bits, Jig Saw Blades, Cutting Discs and Screwdriver Bits Always found them very good.
Penpal
Grand Master
Standard twist drills are the only readily available type that you can get in a full range of sizes in .1mm steps so that’s what I use. I should add that I do all my drilling on my lathe, not the drill press. You can spend money on fancy drill bits but sooner or later you’re going to need a 10.2 or a 13.3 or whatever. If you can’t drill a straight hole in wood or plastic with a standard twist drill your technique is wrong.
Penpal
Grand Master
William one time I did a complete audit of all my drills and I found most were under or over by those small amounts,took so long I want special sizes I caliper at the dealer and get just under and just over.
Peter.
Peter.
AllenN
Fellow
Glen, I find that if I need to buy locally then the Dewalt are the best option. By the web one has more choice but as has been said the only ones generally available in small increments are standard drills. I have some Colt which I do use on acrylic and they cut well and also have the advantage of extra length but whether they are really worth the premium is perhaps debatable.
I too measure rather than rely on what the bit says it is especially with the standard drills and I also drill on the lathe.
For metal work I use Presto but I preserve these for that use as there I need greater accuracy. Hope this helps.
I too measure rather than rely on what the bit says it is especially with the standard drills and I also drill on the lathe.
For metal work I use Presto but I preserve these for that use as there I need greater accuracy. Hope this helps.
wm460
Grand Master
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Dewalt Extreme 2 drill bit set is my pick.
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...t-29pc/20064&usg=AOvVaw1QcjeTioNY_GG-qaEZQucd
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...t-29pc/20064&usg=AOvVaw1QcjeTioNY_GG-qaEZQucd
If you do feel you need a “special” drill bit for some reason just buy a 10mm and use this to drill the initial hole then follow it up with a twist drill of the correct size. Buying a complete set of special bits in sizes you’ll likely never use for pen making seems a waste.
Penpal
Grand Master
I will never forget a close friend of mine wanted a very special pen for her Solicitor Son had to be bla bla bla and stunning. This I made 100.00 then two more special orders same price but had to be faux Ivory. I had two sticks,had them for ages. Turning the cap end on a Roman Harvest iI had a chip out,just tiny but. So I got the last piece just long enough for the cap need fast running out of time used my 33/64 drill which left just enough meat to finish cut and polish later.
To my horror and disbelief my perfect hole and as I watched in horror and disbelief the piece sagged almost 30 degrees, reached out softly and brought it to the horizontal and managed to hold it still for a short time. Breathing was difficult but it worked. When glued the top and finished turning I popped the top and made a piece of Faux crap. Pic of the finished pen. To this day when I make Roman Harvest Pens I wonder at the makers of the kit with the odd sized drills needed and the ever so thin margin of material left on the cap half.
To my horror and disbelief my perfect hole and as I watched in horror and disbelief the piece sagged almost 30 degrees, reached out softly and brought it to the horizontal and managed to hold it still for a short time. Breathing was difficult but it worked. When glued the top and finished turning I popped the top and made a piece of Faux crap. Pic of the finished pen. To this day when I make Roman Harvest Pens I wonder at the makers of the kit with the odd sized drills needed and the ever so thin margin of material left on the cap half.
