Can anyone recommend a pin vise that will take a 1/32 inch bit???
Most of mine are Starrett made but Kadee has a pretty decent one that has four collets:
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page240.htm
I also have a few like the Micromark 21105 shown on this page:
http://www.micromark.com/swivel-head-pin-vise,6730.html
Depending on your budget, the Starrett are top quality and will last a lifetime and grip the drill tightly, the Kadee and Micromarks will be good for general use and the very cheap Asian/Harbor Freight variety are OK for one (futile) use then toss them out.
Good Luck, Ed
1/32" is in the range of most.
Keep in mind if you have one and the collet/chuck doesn’t fit, most actually have multiple collets. If you unscrew the one that is visible, you’ll usually find it can be turned 180 and has a different size on the other end. Many that are double-ended or that have a swivel fingerrest on top can have that end unscrewed and there’s yet another one with two more sizes concealed at that end. So try taking yours apart to see if you have what you need already.
Thanks, Mike, but I checked the one I have and it is much too big.
Hi Bear.
Most pin vises should take a 1/32" bit no problem. Here is one example:
http://www.micromark.com/pin-vise-with-wood-swivel-head,11603.html
If you look at the picture which shows the pin vise dis-assembled you will see two black ‘jaws’ or ‘collets’ on the bottom of the picture. The jaws have different sized holes in each of the four ends which will allow the pin vise to take anything from a #80 bit up to 1/16" or larger.
One thing I like about the model shown is the wooden handle. That will sit very nicely in the palm of your hand and it will make the pin vise easier to control and more comfortable to hold.
If I can add one more suggestion if you haven’t bought your micro drills already, I do not recommend buying a set of micro drill bits with one drill in each size. The small drill bits break easily, especially when you are first learning to use them. If you buy a set and then break the size you need you are out of luck. Instead, I would suggest buying multiple drills of a range of sizes, but you don’t need every single size unless you are a perfectionist. Don’t buy #80s, they break too easily. Buy #79s. They are only slightly larger but they are much sturdier. The tiny difference in the size of the hole will be filled quite nicely with CA. Buy 10 or so of each of #79, #76, #73, and #70. Once you go larger than that the drills don’t tend to break as often so you can get away with only three or four of whatever sizes you choose.
Take care
Dave
I have already checked out the micro-mark site, and the problem in my own mind, is that there are so many I cant figure out which one I should get.
Bear:
Personally I would not recommend the styles with chucks at both ends. They can get pretty uncomfortable in the palm of your hand if you are doing a lot of drilling.
Dave
I have a generic one that tightens around different diameter pin vises. Why not call Micro Mark or Kadee and ask whether they have a suitable device? There’s no need to waste time/money getting the wrong stuff.
I have two from General Tools that came with two collets that will grip from almost 0 to ⅛”.
http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-Instruments-92-Swivel/dp/B000BQW5XS
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I bought the same one as Mel mentions above, a long time ago.
Two comments:
I ended up buying four, because it became irritating to have to disassemble the critter all the time (four, because there are two double-ended collets). This, of course, is not compulsory. But it’s a thought.
The other thing I found was that the crosscuts to make the collets flex were not always perfectly centered. Now, at 1/8", that doesn’t matter. At “zero”, it does. So, another benefit of buying four of these is that you have your choice of four “zero” ends to choose from.
And I totally agree with an earlier statement about double-ended pin vises. You DO NOT want your “push finger tip” being rubbed by a collet end–kinda takes the fun out of model railroading.
And, speaking of the “pushing end”, I think you’ll be happiest with the swivel style, as on the General Tool. For smallish drill bits (the kind we mostly use), it is very convenient to hold the tool with the fingers of one hand, with the pointing finger on the pushing end, and the others used to turn the tool. And the swivel is very pleasant for that use. Also, the indentation in the metal one tends to keep your fingertip in position without your having to think about it. You SHOULD be thinking about how not to break that tiny bit!
Ed
I’ll echo the Starrett pin vises, I’ve had a number of the cheap ones over the years but the Starretts are well worth the money. New they average $20 or so apiece for the different collett sizes, you can get used ones for $10-15 on ebay. Well worth the $ imo.
I use the double sided coulet pin vise a lot…drill many holes in the truck/auto kits I build and anything larger/fatter just won’t work…with biggness comes loss of control, in My opinion…so I altered mine by putting a vinyl cap on the unused end that just snaps in place over the end…works like a charm. It is one of the end caps that come on Tichy Phosphor Bronze wire clear plastic container holders, there is one at each end and just put a piece of tape over the end I took the cap from…the pin vise is over 25yrs. old and still works like new!
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
Yep - Hands down…Starrett! [Y] As mentioned, it’s worth the money to buy a pin vise that will hold those small #61-#80 wire drill bits and hold them well & securely so that they do NOT slip between the jaws.
Tom
Not sure the brand name of mine I’ve had it for long can’t remember where I got it. It has 4 sizes of collets , 1 collet in each end and 2 sizes per collet.
I didn’t know Starrett made pin vises. I’ll bet they’re top quality. But I still prefer the design of the General, with the swivel top.
Takes all kinds, I guess.
Ed
What they call a swivel head pin vise is best, own both a wood end and a metal, like the metal better. I have a bunch of the other types too but never use them for the most part.
I bought the set of four from micromarc, and I have had no trouble at all holding even the # 80 bits. Doug 57
Well, after getting a line on a pin vise that is in stock in town, I am going to get the General Tool with the two collets and the swivel head. thanks, everyone for your advice.