Is there a better pin vise than seems to be available for general purchase? The one I have (can’t remember the brand name) just doesn’t do a good job of holding the tiny drills size 76 and up. If I shim the bits to get a grip, they’re out of round. Any suggestions?
Thanks to all.
With best regards,
Steve Mack
In addition to the usual suspect (Micromark) you can try any jewelers supply store. There are also the following:
model tool
Steve, did you get a pin vise with 2 different double ended collets?
Similar to this - zon37-140
I ordered a pin vise without the collets and it only holds drill bits #75 - #80 even though the company claimed it would work for all (#61 - #80). [:(]
This one I ordered - squ10804
Thats the one i have and the collets dont line up evenly maybe i’ll have to get a biffrent one.
Oh Oh, thanks for letting us know. I was thinking about that one myself. Guess I’ll look for a different brand myself.
Thanks [;)]
Thanks for that link. Micro Tools has some really good stuff and I didn’t even know they are only an hour drive from me so shipping would be fast.
Starrett, twice as expensive but many times better than any hobby grade pin vise. You want the ones with the knured steel shank not the ones with the hexagonal plastic shank (the plastic is molded over the knurled steel but it makes them clunky). www.msc-direct.com
You are welcome, Mike!
Ron, I didn’t mention Starrett for that very reason—expensive. OTOH, you get what you pay for! And most of their tools come with an excellent one year warranty.
Well I have about 10 Starrett pinvises, most of which are over 20 years old and were part of my personal toolkit for work. I’ve had 15 or so hobby grade pinvises and only the three largest are still around, the rest were either too far off center to be really useful or their collets cracked after a couple of years. I’d rather pay the extra for the precision and long life.
I’ve got one I picked up at a model show nearly ten years ago. It has a worm gear and you push down on the top half, which spins the bottom half. It comes with several collets, like a Dremel tool, and will hold any micro-drill size, and a few of the smaller standard drill sizes. It’s been a constant tool box companion, without fail for years.
I got it from some tool supplier who had a vendor table at the show, and I have no clue who they were or who made the tool, but I’m sure a little research can turn it, or a similar product up.