pin Vise question

[Brother Crazywolf]

So I got a pin vise, a testors 8943. According to the package it will accept bits from.0390 to .0700. It came with two reversible collets. It seems like it has a greater range than stated.

 

It will not accept a 1/8" (.125) bit, but will accept a 3/32" (.0938) bit with a hair of wiggle room. One of the other ends is definately smaller than the smallest bit in the package which is supposed to be a .0390. Does anyone have any ideas what the usable range is?

 

I would rather avoid shelling out for a buch of bits I cannot use or may not have a use for any time soon. As it is this will suit my purposes for barrels and small magnets. But does anyone have a suggestion for the larger mangets like 1/8".

 

Thanks for any help in advance.

[kizzap88]

just as a curiousity, have you tried seeing if there is a second collet in the base?

 

like this here:

 

http://www.manufacturer.com/cimages/buyLea...ce_Pin_Vise.jpg

 

-kizzap

[Brother Crazywolf]

I have found both collets. The problem is I do not know the true range of sizes the critter will accept. That one looks very much like the one I purchased. The specs say one thing and my tests revealed that it seems to have a greater range than expected.

 

I am generally not opposed to buying more tools, but would really like to avoid mass duplication overall. I am looking at mostly using it for basic conversions at this point since I am still learning the craft and working with a limited budget overall I am looking for the most bang for my buck.

 

I am also looking for suggestions on the best methods others have used to get the results they wanted.

[Alleton]

Just a side note, I use the 1mm (.039) in multiples because they snap very easily if you get them in a bind, this happens more with metal models so with the newer plastics and resins this may not be as much of an issue. Even so it might be worthwhile to buy a few extras of these smaller bits, even if you only have one each of the other sizes.

[chromedog]

I generally run to 6x each bit in the 0.5mm to 2mm range in increments (yes, this means I have around 40-50 bits at full stock. Currently running low on 0.5mm and 0.8mm). They come in packs of 6.

 

I get them from my local engineering supplier OR local electronics store (the 0.5, 0.8 are quite often used for drilling out holes in circuit boards).

[Shadey]

You really go through that many? I have snapped 1 drill bit in 13 years. I would guess my habbits are pretty average in how much I use them, not a massive amount but they see decent use.

[Brother Crazywolf]

Thanks for all of the input.

 

Looks like I will have to buy more bits and see what works and fill in any gaps in coverage with more tools. Most likley I will be able to go up to just shy of 1/8" with what I have and figure out a way to work with the bigger stuff somehow. I would rather make one clean hole than have to ream out a hole to make it fit the larger magnets. Call it the experience working in a machine shop or the need to do things once with the right tools. I know I am not going to be working with larger bits all too often so I might have to experiment a bit instead of chucking more money at tools right off the bat.

[Commander Sasha]

I keep a range of drill bits, as I use a range of wire; I have a cheap micrometer (£5 off a market stall), which was definitely a good investment, especially if you are the sort of person that drops your drill bit case on the floor :cuss (Can you tell a 0.6 from a 0.65 by eye?)

 

I doubt I'll ever break a 1mm, but that is too thick for my taste (paperclip wire); I use dress makers pins, which are 0.65, and I get through those fairly fast, especially recently as I have just pinned the shaft of my small flying bases. Man, that perspex blunts bits quickly!