Replies

1. 
   AlanTurner | Jun 30, 2004 10:25pm | #1

   I am not sure about your exact question, but there are numbered and lettered sizes, and they fall between the regualr fractioned sizes. The MSC Direct catalogue has a chart, nicely organized by decimal point sizes, that covers all of that ground, as well as the metrics. Just a thought, if you can't find the 128th you seek.

   Alan

   http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com

2. 
   RickL | Jun 30, 2004 10:41pm | #2

   What are you needing such tolerances for? I work with metal as well and have no problem with 64th increments.  Like Alan said there are other drill sizes but they don't come in 1/128 increments. In metal you use a reamer to tweak things a few thousandths as drills are less precise depending on your method of drilling. Most drill bits will drill a hole a few thousandths bigger.   To talk such tolerances in wood is silly. Just sneeze on a piece of wood and the size will change.  I'm often puzzled why people post questions that a catalog will answer even more directly. Having http://www.mcmaster.com or http://www.msc.com  If they don't have it you don't need it.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/30/2004 3:50 pm ET by rick3ddd

1. 
   newtrva | Jun 30, 2004 10:57pm | #3

   The problem is most marked in the smaller bit sizes where a 1/64th inch increment is actually a fairly large percent change in size. 

   At times I will use a finishing nail as a temporary pin to hold two pieces of wood together, for example during gluing.  One size drill bit will leave the finishing nail wobbling in the hole, while the next smaller will require a good hammer blow to get it in.  A gliding fit would be perfect.

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Jul 01, 2004 12:24am | #4

   From your explanation, what you want are NUMBER sized drills. The smallest sizes, 61-80 usually come in a sepererate set. Use a micrometer to measure the finishing nails you are using. Look up the size of number drills and buy the appropriate size. You may even have to find a metric size for your exact need. Number drills can be found in GOOD hardware stores (not Home Despot or Lowly). If not, try McMaster or MSC as previous posters have suggested.

   SawdustSteve

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jul 01, 2004 12:51am | #5

   Don't use some random nail for your pin.   Use the bit you just drilled the hole with.    It will just fit the hole, no matter what diameter you choose.  No need for oddball diameters.

3. 
   Andrew | Jul 01, 2004 01:38am | #7

   If you want a drill bit that is the same size diameter as the nail then just clip the head off of the nail and tighten it up in the drill chuck. This works well for small finishing nails. If you really need a special diamter drill but talk to your sharpening shop. With multi axis CNC grinding machines it's no big deal to make a drill bit in any diameter you need from a HSS blank.

   hope this helps

   Andrew

4. 
   Clay | Jul 02, 2004 11:12am | #11

   When I used to run a picture framing shop I made drill bits by heating and quenching the tip of a brad and then chucked it into a dremel collet.  It makes a pretty good spear point bit that is quite a good fit for the same sized brads.  You can do the same thing without hardening the tip of the brad but you'll have to change bits much more often.

1. 
   Sphere | Jul 04, 2004 12:35am | #12

   grinding the point off center also make a drill jump up in diameter of hole drilled 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

3. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 01, 2004 01:24am | #6

   Sets by 1/64 is all I have ever seen.

   But if you are working with metal and need these exceptionally tight tolerances, I would check with people who sell to the metal working trades -- Grainger and McMaster-Carr are two that come to mind.

4. 
   GHR | Jul 01, 2004 05:58am | #8

   Drilling with a nail works well but ...

   Small drill bits can be bought by the dozen for $.15 each. Might as well buy a dozen use one for a drill the others for pins.

5. 
   MichaelPB | Jul 01, 2004 08:13am | #9

   I do a LOT of drilling and one of the best tool investments I have ever made was $85 for a set of US made number and letter drills in one of those big metal boxes.

   Most big tool supply houses that have flyers put them on sale about every quarter or so and you cannot believe how nice it is to have ALL the right drills in one place.

6. 
   dondownunder | Jul 02, 2004 09:57am | #10

   You could try a metric set - 0.5mm is between 1/64 & 1/32, 1 is a bit less than 3/64, 1.5 a little less than 1/16, 2 a bit more than 5/64, 2.5 about half way between 3/32 & 7/64 & 3 a bit less than 1/8.

   Don