Small hobby drill ....

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sir1963

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#144150 8-May-2014 22:25

I am looking for a small hobby drill from drilling PCBs.

These typically run up to 10,000 rpm with 0.5mm - 1mm drill bits though you can also get them with 3mm shanks

NOT wanting a Dremmel

If I can find an NZ supplier for a realistic price all well and good, but I may look at aliexpress or other Chinese sites if needed

I am already importing a logic analyser , eprom eraser, eprom/GAL/uP programmer etc from aliexpress but the weight
of the drill makes shipping expensive

TIA

Dynamic

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#1040593 9-May-2014 09:33

Not quite sure what yopu mean by 'I don't want a Dremel'.

I got one of these from Mitre10 for about $50 (from memory) a year ago and it suits me perfectly - drilling micro holes, detailed sanding, engraving, etc. It has batteries that last about 10 mins, or you can use it plugged in. Not the lightest thing in the world, but I'm happy for the price.

http://www.direct2public.co.uk/ebay/harveys/67096c-html.jpg

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solival

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#1040647 9-May-2014 10:01

I adopted one of laser printers engines running on 12v and 1.5 mm clip.
Here is example http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/other-electronics/electronic-components/other/auction-724742663.htm

Works fine :)

Demeter

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#1040714 9-May-2014 11:00

I'm also curious - why not a Dremel? The interchangeable bits and variable speed makes it a really good choice... mine has a sort of wand attachment that lets me use it sort of like a pen. You can do really fine work with it.

sir1963

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#1040945 9-May-2014 17:32

Dynamic: Not quite sure what yopu mean by 'I don't want a Dremel'.

I got one of these from Mitre10 for about $50 (from memory) a year ago and it suits me perfectly - drilling micro holes, detailed sanding, engraving, etc. It has batteries that last about 10 mins, or you can use it plugged in. Not the lightest thing in the world, but I'm happy for the price.

http://www.direct2public.co.uk/ebay/harveys/67096c-html.jpg

I have one ( a dremmell clone) and yes its good for a number of jobs, but I have over the years (at work) spent many hours drilling PCBs and
a good drill press is MUCH nicer to use.

k1w1k1d

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#1041025 9-May-2014 19:04

What about getting a drill press for your Dremel clone?

richms

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#1041067 9-May-2014 19:37

Demeter: I'm also curious - why not a Dremel?

Overpriced junk IME with them.

I use a foredom but there are loads of fakes around the place that are rattly loose rubbish too.

Richard rich.ms

sir1963

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#1041261 10-May-2014 10:47

k1w1k1d: What about getting a drill press for your Dremel clone?

The small drill press at work has done hundreds of hours of work drilling PCBs for over 25 years, a Dremel would never last this long.

Did you know for example the cheap drills, sanders, skill saws etc are designed to last about 20 hours, i.e. for the home owner YEARS of use.
The warranties for these tools exclude commercial use because they know they would die within weeks.

As always you pay for what you get.

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eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
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#1041353 10-May-2014 15:29

Assuming you already have power drill, how about something like this:?

http://www.bunnings.co.nz/craftright-flexible-drill-shaft-1-3m_p00253040

http://www.georgehenry.co.nz/product_pcid_3909.html

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JimmyH

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#1041384 10-May-2014 16:28

I use my Dremel for that sort of work, and it works fine for that sort of work. You can also get a mini drill-press type thing that holds the Dremel fairly cheaply. Mine was about (from memory) $60 from Mitre 10. For small hobby PCB drilling of the type you describve, it sounds pretty much like the right set-up to me. For information, googling "Dremel Drill Press" brings up some pictures of the one I have almost as the first search result.

I also have a cheapie Dremel clone (from memory, from Super Cheap Auto) that I brought to use when I didn't want to damage/flog the Dremmel. Cost about $35, including case and flexi-shaft etc. While it has had what many would consider fairly light use, it has been going strong for 7-8 years without problems. If you don't like the price of Dremel, you could look at one of the cheap clones. However, I have no idea whether it would fit in my Dremel-press, as I have never tried this.

Edit: Spelling

Niel

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#1041701 11-May-2014 13:43

I'm in Auckland and have a small PCB drill with a stand/press. It is made from plastic, not metal like the industrial ones, but it works well and I have not used it much. Actually, not used for quite some time but is clean/tidy. I've bought it when I was in school. Let me know if you are interested, or if you are after something more solid/expensive.

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