Starting very small drills

[RonnieS]

Good Afternoon all. I am looking for ideas on starting very small drills i.e. 0.25mm/10thou. Obviously bigger drills are started by a centre punch dot, a centre drill or a piece of masking tape to stop that initial tendency to wander. However tiny drills need another approach and I have not found it yet. HELP please

[Gordon A]

Make a small indentation using a metal scribe.

[Bucoops]

1 hour ago, Gordon A said:

Make a small indentation using a metal scribe.

 

Agreed - I use these (probably not that seller) - cheap enough so if I do ding the tip I don't really care.

[Paul H Vigor]

5 hours ago, Gordon A said:

Make a small indentation using a metal scribe.

Better a Scribe than a Pharisee. Pharisees usually object!

[D9020 Nimbus]

I've never (yet) had to start a tiny drill, but for normal drills I usually use a bradawl to create an indentation. This is in wood, mind you, and I imagine it may depend on what you are actually drilling…

[Jeff Smith]

Ronnie - you didn't mention what material you are drilling.....  For styrene a slight press from a scriber.  For white metal a heavier press with a scriber.  For brass or nickle silver, as long as is supported, an automatic centre punch adjusted to the lightest setting.

And of course use small drills manually in a pin-chuck!

Edited August 19, 2022 by Jeff Smith
Added info