What Is a Pin Vise?
A pin vise is a specialized tool equipped with a thin drill for creating smaller holes than can be achieved with standard drills. It is particularly useful for working with plastic materials and offers both fixed and interchangeable models. The interchangeable models allow for varying hole sizes by swapping out drill blades, making them versatile for drilling a wide range of hole sizes.
Uses of Pin Vises
Pin vises are commonly used in hobbies such as plastic modeling and mini 4WD, in crafting with beads, for precision tasks like circuit board creation, and various DIY projects. They are capable of drilling small holes (0.1 mm to 3 mm) in materials like plastic, wood, amber, and beeswax, but are not suitable for hard metals due to the risk of breaking the thin drill blades.
Principle of Pin Vises
To use a pin vise, the tip of the drill is positioned against the material and rotated using the index finger and thumb. It’s important to apply force carefully to avoid damaging the material or causing accidents. For interchangeable models, ensuring the drill blade is securely attached before use is crucial, especially with larger drill sizes.
Types of Pin Vises
Pin vises come in various types, including:
1. Interchangeable Type / Fixed Type
Choose between models with replaceable or fixed drill blades based on your need for drilling holes of various sizes. The collet chuck mechanism, which holds the drill blade, varies with the drill shaft’s thickness, influencing the choice between fixed and interchangeable types.
2. Manual Type / Electric Type
While manual pin vises are more common and suitable for precise, small-area drilling, electric models offer efficiency and ease of use for drilling multiple holes without fatigue.
3. Single-Head Type / Double-Head Type
For interchangeable models, single-head types are standard, but double-head types can increase efficiency by reducing the need to swap out drill blades frequently.
How to Select Pin Vises
Consider these factors when choosing a pin vise:
1. Size of Drill Blades
Select a pin vise compatible with the drill blade sizes you plan to use, considering the collet chuck’s width for the drill shaft’s thickness.
2. Size of the Main Body
Choose a pin vise size that fits comfortably in your hand, especially if you have smaller hands, to ensure stability and ease of use.
3. Material of the Grip
While metal grips are common, rubber grips offer a safer, non-slip alternative that can enhance precision and efficiency.