Where do You Get Your #80 Drill Bits From?

[tehachapifan]

My local pusher stopped carrying them I guess. Looking for quality ones that don't wander off target.

[garethashenden]

I usually get drill bits and things like that from McMaster Carr. They’re not cheap, but I have yet to break one. It’s worth placing a reasonably large order though as the only shipping option is overnight FedEx...

[Point353]

Looking for quality ones that don't wander off target.

What material(s) are you drilling into?

[tehachapifan]

What material(s) are you drilling into?

Just your average plastic loco shells, etc. I've ended up with some bits before that wander all over the place.

[Point353]

Just your average plastic loco shells, etc. I've ended up with some bits before that wander all over the place.

Try these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drill-America-80-M42-Cobalt-Drill-Bit-12-Piece-D-ACO80P12/305723493

[narrowminded]

A good source for miniature drills of all sorts: https://drillbitsunlimited.com/Default.aspx

For mill/ drill press or at least power drilling the carbides are great but for hand pin vise use they tend to be too brittle and very easily broken, especially below .020".  For pin vise use you're better off with HSS drills.

[tehachapifan]

Try these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drill-America-80-M42-Cobalt-Drill-Bit-12-Piece-D-ACO80P12/305723493

Ha! Yeah, that would probably drill the shell all right!

[peteski]

A good source for miniature drills of all sorts: https://drillbitsunlimited.com/Default.aspx

For mill/ drill press or at least power drilling the carbides are great but for hand pin vise use they tend to be too brittle and very easily broken, especially below .020".  For pin vise use you're better off with HSS drills.

Yes, tungsten/carbide PC Board drill bits are cat's meow!  I love them! They have 1/8" shanks, split point and are extremely durable.  I use them for most of my drilling needs. But as you say, the small ones are extremely brittle (due to their hardness).

[pastoolio]

I use https://drillcity.stores.yahoo.net/
Dunno how they compare to any other place since this is all I've ever used. But I've had good luck with them over the years doing diesel detailing.

-Mike

[peteski]

I use https://drillcity.stores.yahoo.net/
Dunno how they compare to any other place since this is all I've ever used. But I've had good luck with them over the years doing diesel detailing.

-Mike

I have ordered from Drill City in the past - no problems.

[rickb773]

Micro-Mark pkg of 6 $8.95
https://www.micromark.com/No-80-Drill-Bits-Pkg-of-6

[BruceStikkers]

N Scale Supply just announced they are carrying Mascot German drill bits in size 50 to 80 in singles and 12 packs.

http://www.nscalesupply.com/MAS/mas-drillbits.html

Bruce Stikkers
St. Joseph, IL

[Point353]

N Scale Supply just announced they are carrying Mascot German drill bits in size 50 to 80 in singles and 12 packs.

Walthers distributes them, so you could also order them through any retailer that buys from Walthers.
https://www.walthers.com/search/show/60?q=mascot+drill+bits

[mmagliaro]

I use Precision Twist Drill co #80. 
Here's one source:  https://www.kaufmanco.com/itemdetail/PTD%20018580
New like this, they ain't cheap ($3 each).  The kaufmanco listing will say "non stock item".  You have to call them and see if they actually have any.   Usually I've been lucky and they have a bunch from a previous large order, so buying 6 or 12 isn't a problem.

There are HSS, so in a pin vise, they are much more forgiving than carbide and won't snap off as easily.  No, they aren't as sharp as carbide, and won't last as long.  But in practice, at least for me, they last far longer because I'll be darned if I can drill a #80 hole by hand with a carbide bit without it breaking.

A cheaper option is when they come up on eBay as new old stock (i.e. somebody sells out from an estate sale, or something like that).  Then you can find packs of Precision Twist bits for anywhere from to $6 to $12 for a pack of 12.  The thing I like about buying the old-stock packages is that they are the real-deal PTD bits when the company was located in Crystal Lake, IL.  After being bought out (Dormer owns them now), I am not sure where they are actually made anymore.  The new ones I got from Kaufman a year ago or so seem to cut well, though.

As for "walking"... not usually a problem in plastic, always a problem in metal unless you make a spotting mark first.  I like to just use a #11 Xacto knife.  Put the point right on the mark, press and twirl back and forth a little, and then twirl the knife around a few times.  This makes a very effective dimple into the metal.  Then a #80 bit will set right in and drill a precise hole without walking.  You could do the same thing in plastic, but I don't usually find it necessary.