Where to find #54 drill bit?

jtcarm

jtcarm

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I broke my #54 bit (.055) drilling FS blade for my M-66.

I know I can order online but am hoping to finish tomorrow. The only local place I know of is Harbor Freight, but that'd mean buying a whole set.

Might hobby shoots carry them?
 
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Industrial supply stores will have them. Unlikely you'll have to buy a full set, but you may have to buy an envelope of 10 pcs.

Larry
 
You can buy single wire gauge drills at Ace or Tru-Value hardware stores. Probably Lowes or Builders Supply too.
 
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Check ACE Hardware, don't look in the regular (fractional size) drill bit section, look for wire gauge size drill bits with the tap & dies... that's were I get the drills for my tap pilot holes. I once bought an even smaller #57 bit there.

Once upon a time, you'd easily find those bits at a hobby shop, but not today.. if you can even find a real hobby shop like the kind I grew up with.
 
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I was able to order a single one on E-Bay. But then you still have to wait for shipping.
 
Numbered drill bits are found at air conditioner /furnace supply stores. Used to clean furnace orfices.
 
Living in the Metro Detroit area my hobby shop is in industrial supply house, Production Tool. They have LOTS of toys for big boys. I'd also get a 10 pack of those #54 drills even though I can buy them singly, because I know darned well how easy these tiny drills are to break. BTW, many drill chucks won't hold a bit this small so you may find that is another issue. Micro drill chucks are not cheap unless you have a Dremel, those micro chucks are quite inexpensive and the Dremel has enough rpm's for a drill this small.
 
Ah, why didn't I think about good Ol' ACE.

Given how easily they break, a few extras wont hurt:-)
 
I Constantly am using Drill Bits and when I run out of a certain small size such as your #54 I order them by the package (usually a dozen per). I went downstairs to my workshop yesterday morning after reading your post and was going to ask if you wanted me to send you one but my last one is in my Drill Index now. Guess I will be ordering a bunch of them this weekend since I am out of a few different sizes - #54 being one of them!

My larger sizes get sharpened when they are dull or break but the small sizes are tough to sharpen correctly and usually not worth the effort. Sharpening a full length #54 is doable, but sharpening a 3/4" (or so) long broken piece is kind of difficult - although in an emergency might be worth a shot if the hole you are drilling is shallow.

The link below is usually where I get my bits from. they are high quality AMERICAN MADE bits and reasonably prices (for USA MADE that is). I have completely given up on the imported Drill Bits sold in Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc as they are only good for wood. Use them on a mid strength steel and their shot in a heartbeat. Yea, they can be resharpened but I spent more time sharpening than drilling.

Solid Carbide Construction Reamer | Custom Cutting Tools | End Mills
 
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I always wanted a complete quality set of Letter Drills and bought them two years ago from The Atlas Tool Company. I did have a broken up old set but there were a bunch missing and the ones that were there had seen better days. I purchased the complete set that came in an American Made Steel Drill Index for around $67 bucks if memory serves. That's a great price for USA made bits! I don't use those Letter Drills every day, but when I do they work incredibly well.
 
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scooter123 said:
Living in the Metro Detroit area my hobby shop is in industrial supply house, Production Tool. They have LOTS of toys for big boys. I'd also get a 10 pack of those #54 drills even though I can buy them singly, because I know darned well how easy these tiny drills are to break. BTW, many drill chucks won't hold a bit this small so you may find that is another issue. Micro drill chucks are not cheap unless you have a Dremel, those micro chucks are quite inexpensive and the Dremel has enough rpm's for a drill this small.
Click to expand...
You don't need a micro chuck, just buy a collet from a Dremel and then chuck it up in your drill press

38253_R.jpg
 
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Make sure bits you buy are made in USA. Some of the Chinese
bits won't drill through butter, and are in packaging with
American brands. I have yet to buy ANY cutting tool from
China that was worth having.
 
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