measuring tiny drill bits

[Wichman]

I'm in a bit of a quandary.  I have several different sizes of tiny drill bits and I keep them separate in the small ziplock bags they came in. It started when I was cutting some ornaments with a 2/0 blades; supposedly .010 x.023. So I got out the #71 drill bits .026, should have enough clearance, right? But I was fighting to thread the blades. Went to check the diameters with a dial caliper, dial caliper will not accurately measure anything under 1/16" ( .0625 ) (checked against a set of feeler gauges).

So, the question is; how do I accurately measure the tiny things I need to measure?

I already replaced the dial caliper and the replacement is just as bad; for the tiny stuff.

[OCtoolguy]

Get a 0-1" micrometer. They don't lie if kept in good order. Once dropped, it will need to be re-adjusted though. Try not to drop it. I've got one of the cheap H/F digital calipers and I've had the same experience. A mic is the best way. Check flea markets for used ones.

 

[Scrappile]

Download one of the charts that tells you the size bit to use for the blade you are using.  The smallest bit I have is a #70 bit and I can feed a 3/0 FD spiral through it but it is not easy.  Some times I have to get the blade started than pull it through with some small plyers.  For a 2/0 blade, a #68 bit should work.

[Wichman]

54 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

Download one of the charts that tells you the size bit to use for the blade you are using.  The smallest bit I have is a #70 bit and I can feed a 3/0 FD spiral through it but it is not easy.  Some times I have to get the blade started than pull it through with some small plyers.  For a 2/0 blade, a #68 bit should work.

I just checked the website ( Mikes Workshop ) and the drill bit listed is the #71. And, yes, I was doing the same thing, working the blade through until I could grab it with the pliers I keep at the SS.

If I can I use a 1/16" drill bit because it eliminates this kind of nonsense. But when you're veining.....

[Scrappile]

A pain in the --- sometimes.  Are you using spirals or flat blades.  When I do vaining I like to cut with a straight blade first then go back with a spiral to widen the vain kerf.  The spiral easily follows the cut.  And yep I use a bigger bit in any cut that is feasible.

[Wichman]

Flats. 

I called it veining, but its very narrow cuts. zoom in on the butterflies.

The entire thing was cut with FD Polar #2/0 blades, all the internal cuts as well as the outside, These are very popular as they go well with miniature trees.

 

  

Edited November 17, 2023 by Wichman

[Sycamore67]

I have a 6" digital caliper that I use for things like this.

[Wichman]

In looking at their website, I see HF has a digital micrometer that measures 0 to 1" they claim in to be accurate to  0.0001 in. Good enough.  

[Sycamore67]

I use this one from iGaging  that I bought on Amazon and use it a lot.  I checked it against a calibration rod and right on accurate.  

[Mike Crosa]

Where can I find a drill bit chart like what Scrappile mentioned?

 

Mike

[OCtoolguy]

I sold tools for many years and I found that NONE of the so called "digital" measuring devices would be accurate for very long. I don't trust any of them if I'm doing something very critical of size. I use micrometers and/or dial calipers. NO DIGITALS for me. I don't care what brand they are.

 

[Scrappile]

Don't listen to Ray, I use a digital because I am too stupid to figure out a dial one.  I have a good dial caliper but can not figure out what it is trying to tell me.    I do not know the digital is not accurate. Least until now that Ray told us.  Mine is a $20 harbor freight.. and just so you know I am of a sound mind, I can not find the nice chart I had (time for a shop clean up) and I do not remember where I got it.  There are many available on the internet.    Now, under what stack of paper in my shop is that one I liked so well?  No matter I can not measure a bit accurately anyway... Just joshing you Ray!  I trust what you say.  Snap on tools,,,, Hump.. way out of my league!  HF Pittsburg are in my style!

[BadBob]

I use Harbor Freight Pitsburg Calpers. They work well for me, except that they eat batteries. I fixed this by removing the battery when I was done using them. I also have their dial caliper, and it works well when I am going for fractional sizes, but it is not so good for letter/numbered bits. They mostly get used for sizing drills to dowels. I also have calipers, the slide rule type I have had for years.

[Dan]

23 hours ago, Mike Crosa said:

Where can I find a drill bit chart like what Scrappile mentioned?

 

Mike

Here's one: http://www.scrollsaws.com/ 

On the left, you can scroll down to Blades and the click Blade/Drill Bit Chart.

[Scrappile]

On 4/15/2024 at 1:01 PM, Dan said:

Here's one: http://www.scrollsaws.com/ 

On the left, you can scroll down to Blades and the click Blade/Drill Bit Chart.

Thanks, Dan, I could not remember where I got the one I liked so well nor can I remember where I put it!  Since I turned 80 I have really fallen apart, NO wait, I think the falling apart started more like when I turned 60 or was it 70?  Hey, doing great because as I remember it, my wife will argue this, so do not ask her, but I am no worse that I was.  The fact that I am no worse may mean I hit bottom back then and now I am moving up.  Being 80 and doing no worse than when I was 60, is pretty darn good.  Did bad for 60 but good for 80.  And Clint Eastwood is my idol.. Look at him 93 still going strong although not looking as good as he use to.  There is another good point.  I look no worse than I ever did, when you start at ugly.. how can it get worse.

[Hawk]

On 11/16/2023 at 3:57 PM, OCtoolguy said:

Get a 0-1" micrometer. They don't lie if kept in good order. Once dropped, it will need to be re-adjusted though. Try not to drop it. I've got one of the cheap H/F digital calipers and I've had the same experience. A mic is the best way. Check flea markets for used ones.

 

Until I read your post I never thought of using a micrometer to measure the drill bits. (mind blown!). And I also tried using the micrometer to measure the blades to verify the info on the websites, that worked too! Very cool tool!!!! Thanks