Drilling Small Holes

[krfitz]

Anybody have any suggestions for holding the bit when drilling small (1/16") holes?

[canyontxshop]

I have used a 1/16" bit many times, go to Lowes or Home Depot and they sale an adaptor to fit 1/8 shank bit, that cuts 1/16" holes for dremmel tool bits into a router.

[beacon14]

I use a 1/16" straight router bit, with a 1/8" shank. You can also get .06" end mills, and do a CP command with a very small diameter and a spiral cut. Even with the tiny "circle" size, the spiral action makes the cut smoother and results in less burning of the tool.

[elcruisr]

If you are running a spindle you can get a collet for pretty much any size drill you can find, we use several. Not sure if that's what you are running though...

Eric

[krfitz]

I'm running a Porter Cable router. I want to stay away from adapters as I have had too many bad experiences with bits getting stuck in them. I guess what I am really asking is how do I hold small bits, not necessarily only 1/16", but a variety of small sizes, in a PC router. I know Jacobs chucks are out, but there must be another way.

[Brady Watson]

Kevin,
In your case, the best solution would be to buy a tool with a 1/4" shank that is necked down to the size that you need. I get upcut spiral end mills like this all the time from my tooling supplier. The only concern that I have is how deep you want to drill. These tools are end mills, not drills and have a depth of cut no longer than 1/2".

I wouldn't recommend trying to adapt and adjustable chuck to the PC....they tend to fly apart because they are only rated for 6000 RPM max. Buy the right bit...they are out there. Instead of ordering online, you might do better to visit an industrial supply in your area. It's the best thing that I ever did...and I pay 40% of what Onsrud charges for identical quality tools.

-Brady

[krfitz]

Brady,

I found a 1/16" router bit with a 1/4" shank at Hartlauer Bits, but the CEL is only 1/8" long. Where do you get the 1/2" long end mills?

-Kevin

[kaaboom_99]

Hi guys. I too had a need for specialized collets. What I did is went to a local tool & die shop, asked them to make me an adaptor for my 1/2" collet to whatever drill size, out of "0.500" Drill Rod". I drew up a picture for them that has a hole up through the center of the adaptor specific for bit size, and perpendicular to this, (2) set screws set at 180º from each other (8/32 set screws) to lock the drillbit in place. Works like a charm. The one for 1/8" I also use for any Dremel bits I might use or endmills I purchase (1/16 ballmills)and all I need to change these bits is an Allan key used on the set screws.
Cost was minimal.

Just how one Canuck thought to answer the problem.

[krfitz]

Good deal Perry. I was beginning to think along this line. I think that's what I'll do. Thank you. I am thinking of 1/16" ID x 1/4" OD. If anybody wants any, let me know soon and I'll have some extras made.

[kaaboom_99]

Kevin, if your router has a 1/2" collet I would go with 1/16" ID and 1/2" OD just for the extra wall thickness for the setscrews. As I said, while you're at it, 1/8" shank bits are fairly common, you may want to get one of those mad up also.

[Brady Watson]

Kevin,
I get my tooling from Oberg Brothers Industrial Tools in Maple Shade, NJ. They ship all over the country...and they sell to places like MSC.

-Brady

[ron brown]

A proper collet reducing bushing will be one that constricts rather than held by set-screws. They are available with a good search.

Ron

[zeykr]

Sources for Collet Adapters:
Lee Valley: Adapters are $3.25 each
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=30126
1-800-871- 8158

MLCS:
Adapters are $4.00 each or set of all 7 sizes for $19.95
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/adapbush.html

[bjenkins]

Kevin I use a small Jacobs chuck to drill small holes. I bought a chuck that came with a hex shaft (part of a set of quick change drill accessories). I simply removed the hex shaft and replaced it with a 1/4" shaft with matching 1/4-20 thread on the end. I chuck it in my PC 1/4 collet and away we go. I haven't tried anything quite as small as what you are doing, but I like the versatility better than collet adapters.

[gerald_d]

Bud, you have the right idea. Here (http://www.albrechtchucks.com/chuck_template.cfm?&product=yes&subheader=category _classic_keyless_drill_chucks&chuck_category_id=5) are some quality miniature "Jacobs" chucks. (and straight shank arbors (http://www.albrechtchucks.com/arbor_template.cfm?subheader=category_arbors) to fit the collets)

[phil_o]

I talked to a Shopbotter last year at the Jamboree. He uses a properly sized roll pin inserted in the collet to accomodate small bits. I haven't needed to try this method but it seems like it would work well.

[mikejohn]

I did a Google search on 'jacobs' chucks.
I guess one should be careful before one publishes a web page

look here (http://www.jacobschuck.com/)
.....Mike

[gerald_d]

From this Page (http://www.beautifuliron.com/jacobs.htm):
"Note; the Jacobs chuck company website has been off the internet for several years. I don't know what has happened to their website and cannot find any references to a new internet link for Jacobs chucks other than for retailers and distributors of the Jacobs chucks and related products. All other links to the Jacobs chuck website that are found on other websites are the same as the links I have listed on this page- theirs don't work either. For anyone that wishes to pursue this further, the drill chuck manufacturing part of the Jacobs company was bought by the Danaher corporation around 1986 and moved to south Carolina. From that point on I haven't had time to locate any more current information or sources on the Jacobs chuck company. If anyone finds the new Jacobs website please let me know so I can link it here. I recently received an email from someone in the Jacobs company and they said that a new website is in the works. That was months ago. The old Jacobs web site was here: http://www.jacobschuck.com/corpprofile.html ."

[krfitz]

Phil,

I thought of the roll pin idea, but I couldn't find anything close enough in size that I would trust. Someone sent me this link for a 1/2" to 1/8" adapter:
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/adapbush.html
At $4.00 and free shipping, the price is certainly right.

As for a 1/16" adapter, a local machine shop is willing to make them at $16.67 each. Unless someone has a cheaper source, I am going to have them make me a couple.

-Kevin

[krfitz]

Ok, well, I now see Ken posted the same link almost a week ago. Sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake...
Thanks Ken!

Still need a 1/2" to 1/16" adapter. As noted, I am having a couple made.
-Kevin

[gerald_d]

This thread (http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/29/7924.html) has the names of suppliers of collet sets.