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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)

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.

Norm wrote: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.

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.

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.

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?

von Klinkerhoffen wrote: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!

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

von Klinkerhoffen wrote:
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.