Hand drill recommendations?

[Alex Franke]

Can anyone recommend a quality hand drill brand/model (not a power tool) that can handle tiny drill bits? I can only chuck bits down to a certain size in my handheld power drill and sometimes it feels like hand power is more appropriate for the job -- especially with tiny bits.

In the past I've always used an older powered drill, but I think that one's finally bit the dust.

[Whaler]

Here are a couple sources that have some decent looking ones.
www.highlandwoodworking.com
www.traditionalwoodworker.com
www.garrettwade.com

[Daryl]

I have a bolt with the same threads as a Dremel which I chuck into my drill press and then screw a Dremel chuck onto it. Holds small bits good'n'tite.

[Mr__Bill]

I use a hand drill like this for most small jobs that require a bit down to 1/6". I don't think that I have ever needed a smaller hole drilled.

I like Daryl's idea of a Dremel chuck in the drill press or even a hand drill.

Bill
on the left coast where it's 60 deg. and sunny skies.

[cabinetman]

If you were to buy one, Stanley makes a good one.

.

[herb fellows]

How small is tiny? If you're talking about #60-80 type bits, a pin vise would suffice.

[RodKirby]

How small is tiny? If you're talking about #60-80 type bits, a pin vise would suffice.

Ditto - I use one for my plastic model aircraft.

[LCHIEN]

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Drill-Chu.../dp/B001S00FYM

Alex, I would recommend this - chuck the bit into this mini chuck then chuck the mini chuck to a drill press.

The reason for this is that waving a drill around, especially a hand drill which you are cranking on, will cause the drill to not be steady over the hole location and will place a lot of side pressure on the drill bit, possibly breaking the bit. The weight of the drill far outweighs the force being applied and the bits being tiny and tool steel and sometimes carbide are very brittle and break easily. Using a drill press allows you to keep the drill positioned directly over the hole and apply a precision amount and direction of pressure on the axis of the bit to successfully drill a tiny hole.

If you have to hold the drill, then don't use a hand-driven drill for the reason mentioned above. Use this chuck and a dremel tool, its weight is far less than a conventional drill or even many hand drills. The motor will keep it steady compared to the side-side action of a hand-cranked drill. for small diameter, low power and high RPMs is what you need.

Just my two cents worth.

[Alex Franke]

Wow -- thanks for the great advice! I've added a pin vice and mini chuck to my list.

The application is mainly for pre-drilling for little brass hooks and things like that. (Most recently I needed it for little clearance hole for a brad in the trigger mechanism in this rubber band gun.)