Pin Drills

4/22/04, 2:15 AM #1

Jack from Maine
Guest

Pin Drills

Jack from Maine

>I needed to install tiny brass pins in beading to retain glass in a cabinet door. I got the pins at woodcraft, and while there I looked for some idea on how to predrill for those pins. What I found was a small pin drill with a set of various sized bits and two different mandrels for different sizes.

The tool itself is about 4 inches long with a free spinning knob. On the other end is the chuck,similar to a dremel chuck with removable mandrels.Behind this is a knurled piece that is the actual driver.By palming the knob you can turn the knurled piece with your thumb and finger. It works great.

I bought the tool figuring I'd use it that one time and maybe it'd be needed again someday.I've had it for a week and already I've used it on three separate jobs. I have to get a larger set of bits.

This is a revelation to me. I'm sure alot of you already know all about this amazing "new" tool,but I'm discovering new things in woodworking every day and I thought I'd share.

Crackerjack

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 2:59 AM #2

David Barnett - Venice, FL
Guest

Re: Pin Drills *LINK*

David Barnett - Venice, FL

>Something like this?

http://www.contenti.com/products/hammers/270-063.html

I've got one like this and one with a spherical handle.

Another handy drill chuck is the little pin vise with the rotating top for your fingertip. These have two double-ended chucks to accomodate drills from from #80 up.

Jeweler and watchmaker supply catalogs are great for things like these, and they're often surprisingly inexpensive. Of course, you can spring for Starrett or Bergeon if you want top quality, but you'll pay five to ten times as much. The Starrett vises are nice, though, and so well-balanced that you can chuck them into lathes and drill presses.

Pin vises

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 10:33 AM #3

Jack from Maine
Guest

yes,like that

Jack from Maine

>

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 12:42 PM #4

David Barnett - Venice, FL
Guest

Crossover versatility question (hijack, sort of)

David Barnett - Venice, FL

>You're right about being versatile. Although I keep one of these on my goldsmith's bench, I've used it almost as much for woodworking; starting holes for marquetry sawing, holes for tiny hinges, and lots of pilot holes in spaces too narrow for other drills (eggbeaters, and so on). I like them better than gimlets most of the time.

I wonder what hand tools made for other crafts (leatherworkers, engravers, goldsmiths, cordwainers, machinists, and so on) get used for woodworking. Ideas, anyone? Favorite catalogs?

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 4:30 PM #5

Dan Donaldson
Master Craftsman
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Sounds like

Dan Donaldson

>A good question to put on the trivia board as a survey type question. Wanna do it?

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 5:47 PM #6

David Barnett - Venice, FL
Guest

I'll pass...

David Barnett - Venice, FL

>...but thanks for the idea, nevertheless. If this question is less appropriate here than elsewhere on WC, straying too far afield from hand tool woodworking, per se, I'd rather withdraw it. I considered it might be a bit out of bounds before posting it.

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 6:05 PM #7

Dan Donaldson
Master Craftsman
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Not inappropriate

Dan Donaldson

>There is nothing wrong with putting it here. I hope I didn't come across as saying it did not belong. Sometimes survey type questions get put on the Trivia board just to make things a bit different, and this one seemed like a good candidate. Always trying to get new people to post stuff there;-) I was just suggesting that you might like to put it there also just for grins. It won't scroll off the board as fast as here ;-)

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 9:38 PM #8

David Barnett - Venice, FL
Guest

Re: Not inappropriate

David Barnett - Venice, FL

>Oh, okay. Just wouldn't want to transgress this woodworking sanctorum with not so germane crafts and media. The less toes stepped on the better. Thanks for the explanation.

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 10:26 PM #9

Bill Houghton
Master Craftsman
Offline
8,480 posts

Registered: 1/1/70

Re: Not inappropriate

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>If it's not electron powered, of course it belongs here.

I used to have, until I lost it, a terrific prybar that's officially a beekeeper's hive-prying tool - very thin spring steel - that was flat out incredible for removing architectural molding without ruining it.

Re: Pin Drills

4/22/04, 10:27 PM #10

Dan Donaldson
Master Craftsman
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Re: Not inappropriate

Dan Donaldson

>Actually, I think it is a great question that could use a bit more exposure, and I don't see it as off topic at all. I think that there might be some good info out there that some of us might not have thought of. You might want to consider reasking the question as a new thread so it will be at the top of the board. I, for one, would be very interested in the answers. thanks.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Pin Drills

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