Drilling PCB's with a drill press

[snoof]

The bits that I have run across that are the perfect size for drilling PCB's are too skinny for the chuck in my drill press.  Is there an adapter of some sort that can be used?  How do you guys drill w/ a drill press?

[theehman]

For PCBs I use a rotary tool (Dremel).

[defaced]

Buy carbide drill bits with an 1/8" shank.  They look like this:

[snoof]

nice, I'll look for those...

[jefe]

The bits that I have run across that are the perfect size for drilling PCB's are too skinny for the chuck in my drill press.  Is there an adapter of some sort that can be used?  How do you guys drill w/ a drill press?

Maybe a mini chuck for a dremel?

http://www.cmlsupply.com/mini-drill-chuck-1-8-shank-for-dremel-micro-drill-bits.html?___store=default

It has an 1/8" shank that can go in to your drill press, and can hold tiny bits (Capacity: 0.010-.060" or #60-#80 drill bits, according to the link).

[snoof]

what size do PCB/s use, can't remember off hand...

Found these on the bay, do they look decent?...

http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Piece-Solid-Carbide-Micro-Drill-Bit-Set-Jewelry-S4_W0QQitemZ160451657791QQcategoryZ58218QQcmdZViewItem

[John Lyons]

Try drill bit city. under $10 for a pack of ten.
.035 is what I use for all part and wire holes.

http://drillbitcity.com/catalogue/10_piece.asp?Pt=2&St=&Sc=

I use an inexpensive delta drill press and it works well.
Use the highest speed!

[waltk]

If you plan to use the sockets sold here in the STORE, get 1.15mm (.0453") or #56 (.0465") bits.  They require a .045" hole.  When you get bits, try to find a box of the same size (rather than an assortment) or most of the odd-ball sizes (for PCB purposes) will be wasted.

[John Lyons]

That's smaller than .035 though so it will work... (larger numbers are smaller holes)

[waltk]

get 1.15mm (.0453") or #56 (.0465") bits.  They require a .045" hole

That's smaller than .035 though so it will work...

.045 inches is bigger than .035 inches.  If you're talking inches, larger numbers are bigger holes.  

[Mark Hammer]

I like the #65s, though it pays to have some a little bigger and a little smaller.  There will always be a wire lead that needs a slightly wider hole, and there will always be transistor or IC pins so thin they look like they're floating in the middle of the ocean in some holes.

I get my "variety pack" at Princess Auto, Canada's functional equivalent of Harbour Freight.

[defaced]

And to that end, Harbor Freight has a variety pack of carbide bits that is pretty OK.  I have them and while I don't do alot of drilling, they have worked well for me.  I can't find them online, but I'll see if I can remember to get the part number the next time I'm there. 

[John Lyons]

get 1.15mm (.0453") or #56 (.0465") bits.  They require a .045" hole

That's smaller than .035 though so it will work...

.045 inches is bigger than .035 inches.  If you're talking inches, larger numbers are bigger holes.  

Yes, I wasn't thinking... I was thinking of numbered bits not inches.
But I haven't run across any common parts that don't fit in a .035 hole
Even power diodes fit, granted a bit snug.

[snoof]

thanks all!

[davent]

You can also get a pin vise to hold the small bits then mount the pin vise into your regular drill chuck.

Question? I use a variety of HSS and also Drill Bit City's carbide bits (mostly#71's,66's&65's) all of which are pretty fragile. Is there a source for short shanked as in 1/4" or even less carbide bits as even the carbides with their 1/8" thick base still have a drill shank of around 1/2" in length which is super delicate and in my case inevitably breaks long before the bit dulls. The little stubby leftover still drills fine it just doesn't enter the pcb as precisely without the conical end. Any suggestions besides pay attention when drilling and then they won't break?

Thanks
dave

[spargo]

I use a dremel on the 15,000rpm speed with thin PCBs (30k seems like it's asking for disaster).  I use regular bits I got at a local hardware store that are skinny the whole length.  They fit with the adjustable chuck for the dremel.  I haven't broken a bit yet.

[Ronsonic]

I have a smaller Jacobs chuck that I chuck into my drill press to hold tiny bits. For a long time I was getting small bits cheap from the Korean tool guy at the flea market. Those did a lot of boards for me. I was surprised how well they held up.

[Mark Hammer]

You can also get a pin vise to hold the small bits then mount the pin vise into your regular drill chuck.

Question? I use a variety of HSS and also Drill Bit City's carbide bits (mostly#71's,66's&65's) all of which are pretty fragile. Is there a source for short shanked as in 1/4" or even less carbide bits as even the carbides with their 1/8" thick base still have a drill shank of around 1/2" in length which is super delicate and in my case inevitably breaks long before the bit dulls. The little stubby leftover still drills fine it just doesn't enter the pcb as precisely without the conical end. Any suggestions besides pay attention when drilling and then they won't break?

Thanks
dave

+1

I've done that too.  The only caveat I will mention is that small bits are subject to breakage when they wobble, and securing small bits with a pin vise, such that they don't wobble requires a good eye and patience...not to mention a decent pin vise.  I've had much better luck over the years with the wide-shank/plastic collar carbide bits than with a pin vise.  But if you're in a bind and all out of carbide bits, a pin vise will work.