Wanted to ask about pin vises… how do they work ? Are they just a matter of twisting by hand ? If so, how well do they work ? I’m worried about using my dremel for fine hole work for such things as drilling out the chocks on my 1/350 fletcher, and figure a pin vise would be the way to go but just wanted to get some info on them…
[alien]
Hiajthomas!!!
I mostly build autos, and i would be lost without my pinvise!!! I use it for making holes for wires hoses etc…
All a pin vise is, is a sloid peice of metal with knurled ends… on one end, there is a small chuch that accepts the drill bit… You just simply turn the pin vise between your fingers andthebitdoes the rest…
Hope i explained it well…
Any recommendations as to a model and make?
I’ve seen Tamiya, Testors, etc…
Do they all, or only some, come with the bits?
Thanks,
James 
A warning on drilling out the chocks on the Tamiya Fletcher. I did it using a pin vise and it worked great. But, I did it too early in the build and wound up busting them up. They become really FRAGILE after drilling out. Save that part till near the end of the build.
I purchased a pin vise w/bits that was on the exacto display stand at the ol’ hobby shop.They also sell little tubes of assorted bits by themselves in case your like me and break one! I used some itty bitty ones to drill out portholes on my fleet of airfix 1/600 ships, talk about eye strain! Try em’ you’ll like em’.
Steve
minutes to buy, hours to build-
I did the same as steve, mine came with 3 bits… you can also buy a cheap set of drill bits with tiny bits… i bought a set a big lots a while ago, 30 bits for 3 bucks… they work great on plastic…
For drilling small parts, or say gun barrels, do you use a table vise
to hold the parts? I get the impression by looking at the pin vice that
it would be difficult to drill straight holes it you are holding the part with one hand and trying to drill with the other.
James [:)]
You can buy it at any jewler watch repair shop.
there are two models one solid that you twist/rotate., and a second with a moving liitle piece in a helix shaft, that allows faster spins. I have both, quite happy with either of them.
Yes a table vise is most helpful.
Thanks!
I also saw the Pin Vice at Micro-Mark that comes with a set
of bits, so looks like the best one so far. They have vises too.
James [:)]
James,
I was at Micro-Mark last night (once a year, my ship models society hold their meetings there) and saw the pin wise you mentioned. They also had a set of drill bits on sale ranging from 60 to 80 size, for about $12 I think.
If you call in the order, tell the sales person you saw them on the left hand side of the table by the door in the store…in a small rectangular white case…
How’s that for intel???
Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com
Thanks! Great Stuff! Yeah, they (Micro-Mark) seem to have a lot of neat stuff. Can’t look at their site to long. Can’t afford it. LOL!
James [:)]