Drill Bit 0.7mm L10-07

Modeling drill bit 0.7 mm

Seven tenths of a millimeter is the size that takes care of holes a little larger than the finest bits can handle: the muzzles of small gun barrels, holes for heavier wire, mounting resin parts on a pin, or lead-throughs for rigging and aerials. The bit is intended for a pin vise, that is a holder turned with the fingers, which gives more sensitive control than an electric drill and reduces the risk of breaking such a thin tool. The manufacturer is the Japanese firm Mineshima.

Use

• Mark the spot in advance with a needle, as the bit will not hold on a smooth surface and will wander across it.
• Turn smoothly and do not press; the point makes its own way.
• Clear the swarf as you go, as a blocked flute is the commonest cause of breakage.
• Try the diameter in an offcut before you drill into a finished part.
• When drilling into resin, protect your airways and work in a ventilated room.
• Clamp the bit as short as possible, as a long overhang bends and the hole does not come out square.

Who it is for

The drill bit suits modelers who replace plastic parts with metal and resin ones, or who finish a model with wire details. The work is simple but calls for a steady hand, because the bit will take pressure along its axis and will not take it from the side. It pays to keep a spare of the diameters you use.

The point is sharp and the tool is fragile. Store it in its packaging, do not leave it loose on the desktop and keep it out of the reach of children.