Power drills?

[ianjgow]

Can anyone recommend a reasonable power drill (do I need vari-speed?) that will take small drillbits ~ 0.5 01 1mm suitable for simple conversion work like drilling out weapons to replace with wire & changing arms/heads etc?

Cheers!

i (too many blisters from my hand drill)

[Norm]

Dremel seems to be the 'best', as i understand it, it has a low speed setting of 300 rpm, which is meant to be the modellers friend.

I use the cheaper Draper 140w multi-tool but the lowest speed is 10000 rpm or 15000 rpm (the information with the machine conflicts on the point) and while I like it, I think it probably runs too fast and therefore the bit gets too hot and I end up with molten metal clogging the bit.

[curlerman]

Dremel seems to be the 'best', as i understand it, it has a low speed setting of 300 rpm, which is meant to be the modellers friend.

I use the cheaper Draper 140w multi-tool but the lowest speed is 10000 rpm or 15000 rpm (the information with the machine conflicts on the point) and while I like it, I think it probably runs too fast and therefore the bit gets too hot and I end up with molten metal clogging the bit.

I second this suggestion Dremel is the way to go. I would be lost without mine. Be careful however there are two low speed versions . The cheaper one is not a good option. theres a slightly more expensive one with 5 or 6 speed sttings both slower and faster than the other. that's my choice.

[Paul K]

At the moment for the smaller drill sizes of 2mm or less I use a 'pin chuck' which then fits into the normal chuck of my small power drill. It makes for a cheap yet very effective small drill tool compared to some of the Dremels, which although good, are quite expensive.

[Nick Huge]

All round the dremel is the pick of the bunch.
Pin chuck drills can be perfect for the most delicate work and when i need to make a hole quickly I go for my 12 volt cordless battery drill and then tidy up with a dremel.
Dremels are pricey but awesome.

[von Klinkerhoffen]

I would not recommend using a power drill for such small models, mainly because of the torque and because if you slip the drill will not stop? Also, the drill bit can 'stick' and with a small drill bit it will snap off leaving the drill bit embedded in the model!

I am with Paul on this one and would recommend a 'pin vice' with which you will have more control.

You can buy an "Archimedes Small Hand Drill" for £3.99 each at:
http://www.tickintimeworldofwatchtools. ... s-33-p.asp

I find these useful and try and avoid using my Dremmel on small models.

Apologies if this breaches any forum rules?

[curlerman]

I would not recommend using a power drill for such small models, mainly because of the torque and because if you slip the drill will not stop? Also, the drill bit can 'stick' and with a small drill bit it will snap off leaving the drill bit embedded in the model!

You are right in saying this is a possibility BUT it's a matter of practice I not only use my dremel on ten mil figures but I drill down to 0.35mm bits with it. It's a question of speed and steadiness. For instance I replace ALL the spears on my figures and can easily drill a 0.4mm hole in a hand to receive a 0.33mm brass spear. You can see the results in the dark age section of my blog. My advice is be brave, stock up on drill bits and give it a try. drilling the hands of 50 or 60 figure with a pin chuck is painfully slow!

[von Klinkerhoffen]

If you get on with using a Dremel - well done.

I presume you have the Dremel held in a drill stand or bench vice? Just the weight of the drill would snap a 0.35mm drill bit.
I mention this out of curiosity and to advise any beginner to be careful.

I would also STRONGLY advise the wearing of protective eye wear if anyone does this.

Any way, thanks for the update curlerman I think I will stick with using a pin vice

[curlerman]

I presume you have the Dremel held in a drill stand or bench vice? Just the weight of the drill would snap a 0.35mm drill bit.
I mention this out of curiosity and to advise any beginner to be careful.

No I wing it free style. I hold the model on the table with pliers and then lay my right hand on the table with a book or whatever to get it supported on the table with the drill in it at the right height. Yes I broke quite a number of drills in the early days but with practice I haven't broken a drill in months. Also freestyle lets you "feel" the stresses on the drill bit.