How in the world.....

[arkiewood]

Do you cut out the inside holes on very small designs? The holes are so tiny my blade is bigger than they are much less drilling a hole to insert blade in.

Maybe I had better stick with bigger patterns.  LOL

[jrpeteo]

Or you could get smaller blades, and you may need to get smaller drill bits. I use a #68 bit for a #1 size blade. Mike has both.
Pete

http://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm

[dgman]

Hey George, Using smaller blades and micro bits are the answer. I mostly use blades in sizes of 3, 2, 1 and 2/0. Like was said above, go to www.mikesworkshop.com. He has the micro bits and mini Collette to hold the bits in your drill press.

[thumbs]

George, I have been known to skip the real small cuts if I don't feel it would make much difference to the pattern- I have even joined two smaller cuts that are real close together--does not seem to distract from the cutting--in the grand scale of things, no one will know if you don't tell them--jmho--Richard

[Billy in Va]

thumbs I agree and sometimes do the same thing. These old bad eyes just won't let me do but so much.When the pattern come off and it still looks good, no one else is the wiser.

[bubbaloo158]

If the hole is too small to even thread a blade... how much will it show if you don't cut it?  Also... if the hole is round, would it be cheating if you just drilled it and left it as is - without cutting it with a blade?

Just a thought.

Bobby

[Dean A]

Hey George, Using smaller blades and micro bits are the answer. I mostly use blades in sizes of 3, 2, 1 and 2/0. Like was said above, go to www.mikesworkshop.com. He has the micro bits and mini Collette to hold the bits in your drill press.

 I bought the mini chuck from Mike, not too happy with it to be honest with you. Its hard to get the drill to run true. Seems like a cheap version of some other mini's I have seen.  Although, the blades he sells are the best!!!

[dgman]

I agree with you Dean. I prefer the one Sloan's sells, but I though it would be easier to recommend one site to order FD blades, drill bits and the chuck.
The Sloan's chuck runs truer, unfortunately the thin shaft that mounts inside the drill press chuck will bend easily, then the mini chuck wont run true. When this happens, I cut the shaft off and chuck the body of the mini chuck into the drill press. That works fine.
Here is the link to Sloan's: www.sloanswoodshop.com

[cdrover(Clyde)]

I have been using Mike's blades, micro bits and mini-chuck for several years now with no problems at all.

[ChuckD]

Here is a tip I use when using really small blades.  When drilling the holes use a bit that is big enought for the blades width (thickest or what ever), not the side with the blades teeth.  Then drill two or three holes in a line and the blades will slip right in. It helps if you put a point on the bottom of the blade.
When using a bit chuck that wobbles, touch the bit to the wood before turning on the drill press.  I even indent the blade a little, but be careful.  This is sometimes the time of breaking bits.   Good Luck