Question about drill bit from a beginner

[mea104]

Hi, defintely new to tractorbynet, and new to many things power tools. Right now, I need to use a #55 drill bit (.520) I think, and it is too small to be used by my step dads drill. I think I either need like a mini-drill for really small bits or some sort of adapter, that will help the #55 drill bit fit into my step dad's big drill. This may be a super elementary question, but you might be surprised at how much research it tookto even find out that I maybe could use and adapter, which would be great. By the way, I don't know y step dad's make and model number, I think its craftsman, but from the little I know about power drills, is that it looks very standard for typical drill bits. Any help?

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN.... good question!

Well, I had to look up a drill bit chart to make sure...here's the chart I used..

Drill Bit Size Chart

size is .0520 inches... the leading zero makes a difference...this is a rather tiny bit.

if you are going to be doing much work with tiny bits and tools, suggest you simply fork over a few bucks and get a tool that is sized for this job...with appropriately sized chucks, etc... look into things like this..

Dremel is the premier standard for such tools.
4000 High Performance Rotary Tool / Model: 4000

Harbor Freight, if you have one in your area, has lower quality tool with similar function.
Harbor Freight Tools

 

[mea104]

yean i meant its .0520 thanks. And thanks for welcoming me in! Well actually I only really need this tool for one job. If I want to to shop arond, what is the name of the tool I am looking for? Through the link you provided, it looks liek the name of the tool Im looking for is a rotary tool, is that correct?

 

[texasjohn]

yep, rotary tool.... has a small chuck that takes small tools, drills, grinders, saws, sanders, etc...


this is the kind of thing that numerous people have... ask a few friends, you may find someone who has one they will lend you for a one time use.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Welcome

I had to use a small bit while ago and no chuck would hold it. It was actually smaller than yours - for carb venturi - but I put masking tape around the shank and used my regular chuck. The bit is flexible and if you are careful you can get away with it.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

You might even try one of those small stirring straws you get with coffee and such. Cut it off to about 1/2 " then put the bit in the straw and see if the drill chuck will clamp it tight enough. That small of a bit is going to break if you bend it much at all whilst drilling.

 

[20 20]

If it's a 1 time thing try the straw or tape, just take your time. Otherwise A dremel tool will work and you can find cheap ones.

 

[Kays Supply]

If you are drilling something soft or thin, there is a mandrel type tool that is like an exacto knife, that will hold a small bit and rotate it by hand. I have even flattened and sharpened a straight pin and used it as a bit.

Another option would be to take a brass tube, like from a hobbie shop, and split it and use it as a reducer when chucked in a drill.

 

[glc24]

It is called a pin vise. They are very handy for small number bits

Amazon.com: pin vise

Greg

 

[Willl]

Toolmonger Blog Archive Chuck Micro Drill Bits