Which hand drill is the best
- Thread starter kirara
- Start date
Thunderhawker
New member
GOtta go with DaN on this one. the new GW pin vise is fantastic. Its super comfortable. Couple that with the fact that it comes with several of the right size bit, its the best out there ATM.
QuietiManes
New member
I\'m not a big fan of the GW version myself. The price is decent though, which is unusual for their tools. Anyone know if the collet can hold any size other than the 1mm drills that come with it?
http://ca.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.ca?do=Individual&code=99239999040&orignav=300810
I\'d suggest something like this. You get various drill bit sizes and you can store them in the handle. Handle storage is where it\'s at. Most hobby/train/craft shops have something similar.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=41753&cat=1,180,42337&ap=1
http://ca.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.ca?do=Individual&code=99239999040&orignav=300810
I\'d suggest something like this. You get various drill bit sizes and you can store them in the handle. Handle storage is where it\'s at. Most hobby/train/craft shops have something similar.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=41753&cat=1,180,42337&ap=1
Dragonsreach
Super Moderator
The GW one is relativley good value for money.
However I can\'t complain about the one I\'ve just retired, bought it when I was at school (35+ years ago) and it\'s only now just developed a crack in the thread.
(Do you think I should take it back and complain?
)
The GW collet will accept other drills without problem.
Even if they are a little \"Thin\" they can be bulked out by either a wrap of masking tape or a wipe over of Superglue and allowed to harden off.
Personally I\'ve managed quite well with my pin vice over the years but I must admit that the years are starting to tell on my hands somedays and I have started to use my Dremel for pinning some larger pieces.
But if you are using a Dremel (or equivilent) then one thing to do.........PAY CARE AND ATTENTION.
High speed drill bits and finger tips aren\'t compatible.
However I can\'t complain about the one I\'ve just retired, bought it when I was at school (35+ years ago) and it\'s only now just developed a crack in the thread.
(Do you think I should take it back and complain?
)The GW collet will accept other drills without problem.
Even if they are a little \"Thin\" they can be bulked out by either a wrap of masking tape or a wipe over of Superglue and allowed to harden off.
Personally I\'ve managed quite well with my pin vice over the years but I must admit that the years are starting to tell on my hands somedays and I have started to use my Dremel for pinning some larger pieces.
But if you are using a Dremel (or equivilent) then one thing to do.........PAY CARE AND ATTENTION.
High speed drill bits and finger tips aren\'t compatible.
Amazon warrior
New member
I love the Tamiya pin vise I bought in Japan- it came with two double-ended collets, one of which can hide in the barrel when not in use, and with these four possibilities I can use pretty much any size drill bit I could want for my minis. I don\'t recall it being that expensive, either. Ah, found a piccy! I think
this one is the one I have.
I have the GW one too, but I almost never use it.
this one is the one I have.
I have the GW one too, but I almost never use it.
I\'ve noticed over the years, when this topic comes up, no one\'s posted one like this...
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/zon/zon37-120.htm
This one fits well in my hand and doesn\'t leave an impression in the palm, no matter how much pressure I have to apply. The collet inside is swappable with the Dremel collets to I can interchange all my Dremel bits with this one if I need finer control.
Good luck in your search!
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/zon/zon37-120.htm
This one fits well in my hand and doesn\'t leave an impression in the palm, no matter how much pressure I have to apply. The collet inside is swappable with the Dremel collets to I can interchange all my Dremel bits with this one if I need finer control.
Good luck in your search!
heavybolterbob
New member
I bought a new pin vice (hand drill) last year. It is made by Gale Force 9. It has a hardwood ball that rests in your palm while you are using it. Where the ball is attached to the shaft of the drill it has ball bearings so it turns smooth and easy. There is a knurled ring on the shaft so your fingers have good grip to rotate the drill. It came in a kit with the drill, a few pieces of rod for pins, 2 collets, and (I believe) 2 or 3 drill bits. Price was under $20. The new GW one looks to be well thought out, but I\'m set. I guess it depends some on what you have available in your area unless you plan to order online.
To speed things up on large pieces only, I will sometimes start a hole with the pin vice, and then finish it with my cordless dremel.....but be VERY careful!
To speed things up on large pieces only, I will sometimes start a hole with the pin vice, and then finish it with my cordless dremel.....but be VERY careful!
Damn, i like the looks of that new GW pin vise, much nicer on the hands then their old model i have. I\'ve used several over the years, currently the old model GW one, but the best for me was one like Amazon Warrior posted. The pin drill is best for small thin model parts as demels will slip or just blast right through the part. Typically for most of my pinning i start with the pin drill to get the hole started and then use the dremel to finish the hole as my hands cramp up bad.
Dragonsreach
Super Moderator
That model is a comfortable one to use, especially if you get Arthritic like pain in your knuckles. (used a friends one once)
However I fint it just a little too bulky for me on a long term basis. But hey I could just have short fingers.
freakinacage
New member
these ones from sylmasta are rediculously low priced and not bad. the best i have ever bought is the gw one though, but for less than 2 quid each, you cant complain
Einion
New member
Hand drills are obviously going to set you back a lot less than any motor tool, even a really cheap one, but if you plan on doing much drilling then going electric is definitely worth considering.
You\'re not just buying a single-use tool (which pin vices kinda are, being useful for drilling and holding pinned parts, and that\'s about it) but something that can be used for drilling, sanding, cutting/sawing, grinding/abrading, smoothing and polishing. If you can find one that will go down to very low revs (less than 1,000) or all the way to zero then that\'s good, so you can use it on plastic if necessary in the future and lower revs are very useful when working on white metal for preventing drills getting hung up.
If you want to stick to drilling with muscle power this is the type of pin vice I like best, as it\'s double-ended and has reversible chuck pieces. Not sure if you\'re in the US but WidgetSupply are a great source for all kinds of tools and bits.
This type of pin vice is not as comfortable to drill with for a long time (particularly into tougher material) as any type with a flat end or a rounded knob that fits in the palm, but of course that\'s what motor tools are for
BTW, good bits make all the difference if you\'re drilling by hand!
Einion
Sauce Devil
New member
I find that simple pin-vice type drill is the easiest to use for most minis; they are all much the same so pick the cheapest. a set of micro drill-bits to go with it will cost about £3.50 ($7).
To anyone in the UK who likes modding large models like vehicles, Argos have a power multi tool on offer reduced from £19.99 to £10! It includes a flexi extension so you can use it for precision work.
A word of warning: Watch your fingers!!! These things are small but they ARE power tools and if you are using a cutting-disc it can neatly cut through your finger down to the bone so don\'t leave it lying around on the desk next to the paint pots where you can switch it on by accident.
Challenger mini drill
To anyone in the UK who likes modding large models like vehicles, Argos have a power multi tool on offer reduced from £19.99 to £10! It includes a flexi extension so you can use it for precision work.
A word of warning: Watch your fingers!!! These things are small but they ARE power tools and if you are using a cutting-disc it can neatly cut through your finger down to the bone so don\'t leave it lying around on the desk next to the paint pots where you can switch it on by accident.
Challenger mini drill
Dragonsreach
Super Moderator
That is basically either a \"re-badged\" or \"Knock off \" Dremel, exactly the same model I use. (Cost £65)
Grab it while you can.
Cos I know I \'ll be getting one.
Grab it while you can.
Cos I know I \'ll be getting one.
Sauce Devil
New member
I\'ve just come back from town and I bought a 4 piece pin vice set (from RM tools) for £4.95
Those little bargain-basement tool shops can be a treasure trove for cheap modeling tools.
Those little bargain-basement tool shops can be a treasure trove for cheap modeling tools.
