What is a Pin Vise?? (dumb question number 13)

Pin vises hold small drill bits. Sometimes people use them as handles for files or screwdriver shafts or tap and die tools. They hold wire or solder for certain situations. They're like a handle, but they're also used as a reducer chuck for using tiny bits in large drills.

Zona makes a nice variety of pin vises. They have straight shafts, ball handles, swivel heads, etc. They also make a spring-loaded corkscrew hand drill that you just bounce up & down to drill a hole with.

First off, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask (learned that a long time ago)

As has been noted, the pin vise has a chuck that will hold a small shaft (drill bit) - the majority have a chuck on each end. On one end the chuck will go from zero clearance up to about 3/64" and the other end opens from 1/16" to about 1/8". They're usually used for drilling very small holes or by placing a needle in them, for scribing.

I use my exacto-type knive as a pin-vise. I haven't had a situation where it didn't work.

It is a handle for holding very small drill bits. Think of it as a pencil with a drill chuck instead of a lead point. I have 3 of them in various sizes and I use the smallest one a lot. I have a set of drill bits that go from #61 to #80. The #80 is .013 inches in diameter. That is smaller than a straight pin, but a little larger than a human hair. These small drill bits are fairly fragile, so using an electric drill would probably break them. Several different types and sizes are available through Micro Mark tools. Go to: www.micromark.com and search for item #81497 for one example.

Darwin, O.F.

After a suggestion by a fellow modeller at a contest, I went to the local welding supply company and got a tip drill. This is basically a specialized pin vise that is used for cleaning the tips of welding torches. I got mine for $12 and it has 12 bits, from about 1/16 inch to really freakin small. Not bad for the price.