problem with drilling small holes

[Marcellarius]

when I drill .68 or .71 holes for really fine lines to cut (UR#1 or UR#2/0)
I have the problem that it looks like the drill is bending trough the wood.
on top of my work all holes are on the right spot, on the bottom, specially the ones close to each other ( 1/16") are almost  touching each other. (some do)

first I thought my drill press ain't square, but now I think the drill bends away in the wood while pressing it....

do any of you have any experience with this problem?

[Al W]

After reading your post, and previewing Mike's post about drill speeds, AND having seen the same effect - I would suggest checking your drill speed and taking it up to the 3000 RPM area and making sure you are using a new drill.  Drill will wander when dull - kinda like some people I know.

Hope this helps.

Al

[bhenr99]

Could be your drill bit is not in the chuck properly. Could be you have a bent drill bit. Or when you start the drill is on angle. Be sure when you start to drill that bit is over the spot you want the hole, do not slide drill bit over to the spot as bit will bend.

Bob

[jim stiek]

go slowly while pushing  and clean the bit frequentlyit is not something you can do in one pass

[tvman44]

Might try less pressure on bit.

[Marcellarius]

that drill speed might be a problem, have the drill press set to 800 rpm or so.
the drill bot is straight, not bend.
I don't press hard an on a 1/2" piece I clean the bit at least 5 times.


thinking it over again I'll look and see if there is a different between plywood and hardwood.
I know sawing when hardwood parts can be harder and softer in one piece of wood.

[dgman]

Hey Marcel, 800 rpm is way to slow. For the tiny wire bits I set my drill press speed to full.
King posted a drill press speed chart just below. This would be handy to have next to your drill press!

[multifasited]

ONE other thing to look at is the end grain ,the speed is most important ,straight up and down end grain is ideal curved end grains is problem matic wants to follow the grain ,on curved end grain you want max speed on drill motor slow speed and easy pressure on drill feed .ck your drill sharpness highspeed on tiny drill bit in hard wood heats up quick and dulls bit making all drilling a bit tough .from then on!! There is no material to spare on the cutting edge of a tiny bit!!Here you need the Hare's speed at the turtles pace !!

[crupiea]

I use bits that small or smaller for all my projects.

Usually #72 0r 73.

I use a jewelers hand drill.  One of those barber pole type things that looks like a spirally pen.

What i do is clip the shaft end of the bit so just enough of it sticks out of the chuck.  Otherwise the bend and will lots of times break just by the weight of the drill and its only a few ounces.

So if I drill 1/8" material, the part sticking out of the drill is just a hair over 1/8".

[Marcellarius]

thanks again, will keep all in mind and use the info.

[Danny]

Hi Marcel....Fast drill speed....Not to fast drilling into the wood....Sharp bit....:+}