High-RPM small drills

[JackOfDiamonds]

Because I'm always doing small bicycle, modeling, and 3D printing stuff, I use a lot of small drill bits.

I really feel like I'm missing a drill specifically designed for small drill bits.

• Regular cordless 18V drill...the chuck is so big it barely fits small bits, RPM isn't that great, and handling the big drill is hard
• Small 12V drill like M12 drill. It's smaller and lighter, but the chuck isn't any better, and RPM is actually slower.
• Cordless screwdrivers...more the size I need, and I've tried buying hex drill bits and using them to drill with, but the RPM is insulting. And I prefer a pistol grip format
• Dremel....we are on the right track with RPM, but it's fixed at 30,000 RPM...need something with a trigger like a normal drill, not something with an 30,000rpm on/off switch.

Does nobody make a tiny drill, with a chuck adapted for small bits, and a high speed? I'm about to 3D print a pistol grip housing for a dremel and build a variable-speed circuit with a trigger.

 

[gamescastspencer]

A Foredom or Foredom styled rotary tool would probably be mostly inline with your desires.

A dental drill might be an option too.

Just some ideas.

 

[no704]

Right angle die grinder with a small chuck.

 

[whateg01]

• Dremel....we are on the right track with RPM, but it's fixed at 30,000 RPM...need something with a trigger like a normal drill, not something with an 30,000rpm on/off switch.

Does nobody make a tiny drill, with a chuck adapted for small bits, and a high speed? I'm about to 3D print a pistol grip housing for a dremel and build a variable-speed circuit with a trigger.

My Dremel is old school variable speed. There's also a digital version. I think it'll be hard to get the VS to be smooth with a trigger. I don't like the stepped nature of the digital speed control. But I like the idea of 3d printing something to make it do what you want. Maybe nicer yet, depending on the situation, a foot pedal to control the speed, like a tig pedal

 

[OccupantRJ]

Some dremel tools are speed selectable by way of several setting of the on-off switch. I have one. A clamp-on side handle should do, creating a T shape with it for grip. I know small jacobs style chucks are available for 0-5/32” grip range, as we used them regularly at work. The Jacobs brand are not inexpensive. Search also for micro chucks.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

A Foredom or Foredom styled rotary tool would probably be mostly inline with your desires.

A dental drill might be an option too.

Just some ideas.

If you can adapt a small chuck to it, that would be perfect for the bench. I'm just surprised in this world where we have a battery tool for everything, nobody has made a high-speed cordless drill.

When I went from corded drills to cordless, I lost quite a bit of RPM in general. My old corded drills universally have higher RPM than any batter drill, and I also had an air drill that was higher RPM still. But the convenience of battery was so good and the torque was good so everyone adapted. Makes it even worse for small drill bits.

 

[RoninB4]

I'm just surprised in this world where we have a battery tool for everything, nobody has made a high-speed cordless drill.

-There's a couple of reasons for this but I don't want to offer a reply that sounds snarky or disrespectful. The Foredom or dental handpiece suggestion are probably your best off-the-shelf solutions. There are other solutions but that would depend upon what you consider "small" and whether you have the capability of making custom tooling.

 

[RTM]

My older Foredom does not seem to have the RPM level of the newer ones, but the pedal seem really smooth thru the range.

Find a retailer who has one in stock, see if it suits your needs.

 

[jfleisher]

I have a couple of variable speed (5K-30K) Dremel tools, both are equipped with a small Jacobs-type chuck. 0”-1/8” capacity.

 

[GW Butch]

Tamiya Electric Handy Drill / Tamiya USA

This is a ready to assemble electric handy drill for use with plastic models and wood. It uses a trigger switch for control. 2mm drill bit and two types of drill chuck are included. Compatible with drill bits between 1mm and 3mm in diameter.

www.tamiyausa.com

Not high speed by any means but works fine on styrene and soft wood. And it’s actually a plastic model kit!

 

[four.cycle]

Proxxon doesn't make something suitable?

 

[scooby074]

Absolutely! We used to drill 0.8mm and smaller with these drills from Desoutter. https://www.desouttertools.com/en/products/2051472524

Ours were actually aluminum body and older, but they were Desoutter with a high speed motor and jacobs style chuck

 

[Beerhippie]

I can't recall the name of the channel, but old Pete the shop teacher has several different makes of high-speed, precision DPs.

 

[The Cobbler]

old Pete the shop teacher

Mr Pete, AKA Tubalcain

 

[Beerhippie]

Mr Pete, AKA Tubalcain

Thanks! Just having a senior moment here.

 

[whateg01]

I can't recall the name of the channel, but old Pete the shop teacher has several different makes of high-speed, precision DPs.

I can imagine op holding a drop press under the dash of a car!

ETA: Dang! Wire crossed. Op never mentioned working under the dash of a car.

I did some work for a guy who had a drill press that used a sewing machine motor and had a small Jacobs chuck.

 

[KnurledNut]

 

[cannuck]

When I built boats I would have killed to get such a tool. Air drills are just too noisy and all the (in those days rubber) hoses were a PITA and trip hazard. I used to convert corded drywall screwdrivers by adding and adapter and keyless chuck (still have them). Cordless then were 9V and dead slow. Hope the other red company will make a 12V competitor.

 

[no704]

Specs say 20,000 rpm.