Source for millimeter denominated drill bits

[Bill Gormley]

As I flip through the instruction manual for Tamiya's new tool Yamato I see that there are many holes to be drilled (0.3mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm, etc.). Unfortunately, I live in the one country that doesn't use the metric system. Can anyone suggest a source for millimeter denominated micro drill bits suitable for use in a pin vise?

[MM2CVS9]

As I flip through the instruction manual for Tamiya's new tool Yamato I see that there are many holes to be drilled (0.3mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm, etc.). Unfortunately, I live in the one country that doesn't use the metric system. Can anyone suggest a source for millimeter denominated micro drill bits suitable for use in a pin vise?

Try here. http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-drill-bits/=q6wv2n Not many really small sizes, but look at the wire guage sizes.


EJ

[Timmy C]

Odds are, there are equivalent sizes in your Imperial collection of drill bits, so just do the necessary math to convert from mm to inches - a lot cheaper than getting a new set of drill bits!

[Bill Gormley]

I do realize many of the bits in my existing set come close but why settle if metric sets exist? I see Hobbylink Japan has some in 0.3mm, 0.4mm, and 0.5mm sizes ... I'll keep searching down that path.

[blw]

I got a nice set of metric drills at Otto Frei: http://www.ottofrei.com/Tungsten-Swiss- ... .30mm.html

[wefalck]

Rolled twist drills are normally readily available on that electronic bay down to 0.3 mm. The shaft diameter is the the same as the drill diameter

Watchmkers supply houses (such as Otto Frei, but there are others) carry ground HSS drill bits down to 0.1 mm. Their shaft is either 1 mm (up to 1 mm drill diameter), 1.5 mm (up to 1.5 mm drill diameter) or 2.4 mm (up to 2.4 mm diameter).

Tungsten drills are very brittle and probably not suitable for work in a hand-held pin-vise. Hower, again on the electronic bay you may get used tungsten drills with 3 mm or 3.2 mm shaft and diameters from 0.1 mm to 6.4 mm quite cheaply. In various industries they are replaced routinely before they get dull and then dumped onto the second-hand market. For many modelling purposes they are still adequate.

[alang]

In the UK we have a fantastic supplier for all things modelling tool wise...www.eileensemporium.com.
They ship abroad regular without problem.