# Collet adapter / drill chuck **URL:** \ **Category:** X-Carve\ **Created:** [July 10, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522 "2020-07-10T17:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hoowahfun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@hoowahfun](https://community.inventables.com/u/hoowahfun)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/1 "2020-07-10T17:44:01Z")
Hello everyone. I’d like to be able to run drilling operations for various size holes in aluminum. I need to make holes at the following sizes and depths: Ø1.6mm @ ~4mm deep Ø2.5mm @ ~20-25mm deep Ø2.8mm @ ~25mm deep Ø3mm @ ~25mm deep For the most part I can find carbide drill bits which will achieve the diameter and depth I need, however they are with shank sizes which won’t fit into the 1/8" collet I have from Precise Bits for the Dewalt router. I do have a drill press, however it doesn’t have the reach to be able to drill about half of the holes I need. The runout on that machine isn’t that great either (cheap Harbor Freight drill press). I can’t really manually drill with a hand held since accuracy will not be there. So here’s what I’m looking for: are there any decent collet adapters which can go from 1/8" to the diameters above? Or maybe a drill chuck type adapter or something which can go onto the router? Again, I’m trying to do drilling operations with the collet adapters or drill chuck adapter, not milling. For milling I would use standard endmills with the Precise Bit collet. Precise Bits does have a 3mm collet I see so that is an option for one of those drill bits. Would be good to keep it consistent with as little changes as possible to the setup to run the different hole sizes. If there’s another way to do this then I’m open to suggestions! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![NeilFerreri1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/neilferreri1/32/84403_2.png) [@NeilFerreri1](https://community.inventables.com/u/NeilFerreri1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/2 "2020-07-10T18:46:50Z")
What about using the CNC to locate the holes and then drill by hand? You’d be well exceeding the rpm recommended for any drill bit by using it in a router. Last thing you’d want to do is weld the bit inside the hole and have it break off. ---
**Author:** ![hoowahfun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@hoowahfun](https://community.inventables.com/u/hoowahfun)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/3 "2020-07-10T18:59:39Z")
I think I recall others have performed drilling operations successfully with the router with a pecking operation. Can’t remember exactly, but I was going to attempt something along those lines and use Gwizard to get the appropriate feedrate. I’m a little concerned that even if I start the holes on the router then try to finish by hand, I’d get them off axis in the hand operation. Maybe there’s a jig of some kind that can be used to keep the drill straight. ---
**Author:** ![NeilFerreri1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/neilferreri1/32/84403_2.png) [@NeilFerreri1](https://community.inventables.com/u/NeilFerreri1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/4 "2020-07-10T19:44:13Z")
> [@hoowahfun](#): > > I think I recall others have performed drilling operations successfully with the router with a pecking operation. Typically these are done with an endmill. You can get “drill mills”, but I’m not sure that you’ll find what you need. > [@hoowahfun](#): > > Maybe there’s a jig of some kind that can be used to keep the drill straight. Milescraft makes a handheld drill guide and there are cone jigs for drilling perpendicular holes (probably not for tiny drill bits, though). ---
**Author:** ![MartinW.Mcclary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/martinw.mcclary/32/63385_2.png) [@MartinW.Mcclary](https://community.inventables.com/u/MartinW.Mcclary)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/5 "2020-07-10T19:49:53Z")
How about something like this to drill pilot holes and then go in with your hand drill to enlarge the ones you need to enlarge? > **[10pcs 1.6mm Blade Titanium Coated 1/8" Shank PCB Jewelry Tool CNC Drill Bit -...](https://www.amazon.com/10pcs-1-6mm-Titanium-Coated-Jewelry/dp/B01CSGKTO0)** > > Feature: Carbide rods and tungsten steel rods,TIN coated nano-technology with high hardness, high wear resistance, high strength, resistance to bending, anti-impairment and long tool life,will improve work efficiency. Range of processing: PCB, SMT,... ---
**Author:** ![NeilFerreri1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/neilferreri1/32/84403_2.png) [@NeilFerreri1](https://community.inventables.com/u/NeilFerreri1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/6 "2020-07-10T20:10:54Z")
He needs to drill 25mm. Those won’t quite reach halfway. ---
**Author:** ![MartinW.Mcclary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/martinw.mcclary/32/63385_2.png) [@MartinW.Mcclary](https://community.inventables.com/u/MartinW.Mcclary)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/7 "2020-07-10T21:25:39Z")
True, which is why I said perhaps these would drill a pilot hole to locate the next bit that will follow the smaller hole and go deeper. Probably a hand drill/ drill guide operation for those. Those bits will go the depth that he needs for the smallest holes. (1.6mm Dia @ 4mm deep). ---
**Author:** ![NeilFerreri1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/neilferreri1/32/84403_2.png) [@NeilFerreri1](https://community.inventables.com/u/NeilFerreri1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/8 "2020-07-10T22:42:01Z")
> [@MartinW.Mcclary](#): > > True, which is why I said perhaps these would drill a pilot hole Missed that part…oops. We’re on the same page. ---
**Author:** ![StevePrior](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/steveprior/32/72940_2.png) [@StevePrior](https://community.inventables.com/u/StevePrior)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 12:15am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/9 "2020-07-11T00:15:33Z")
The other thing to keep in mind is that with a CNC you can cut a larger hole than your bit, so for example you could cut the 2.5, 2.8, and 3mm holes all with a 2.5mm bit if you can find one long enough (though you’d have to go real slow to make sure it doesn’t break). Don’t know if a 2.5mm bit will survive any sideways force in cutting aluminum at 25mm deep though. That reduces your problem from getting 4 different collet sizes to 2. ---
**Author:** ![darrin1200](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/darrin1200/32/85480_2.png) [@darrin1200](https://community.inventables.com/u/darrin1200)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/10 "2020-07-11T12:32:59Z")
Try a jig like this to keep it vertical. [https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/jigs-guides-and-fixtures/73237-drill-guide](https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/jigs-guides-and-fixtures/73237-drill-guide) ---
**Author:** ![MichaelValentino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@MichaelValentino](https://community.inventables.com/u/MichaelValentino)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/11 "2020-07-12T04:53:45Z")
I think what I would do is take the router off and them mount the hand drill motor to the router mount with some hose clamps. Since you’re not doing any x or y axis cutting, you won’t have to worry about side forces moving the drill Just my $0.02 ---
**Author:** ![JohnBantz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7cd45c/32.png) [@JohnBantz](https://community.inventables.com/u/JohnBantz)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/12 "2020-07-14T16:47:51Z")
Go to tools today and search for dowel drill boring bits. I think you will find what you are looking for. I use v-carve pro and aspire software which has a peck drill tool path to facilitate the drilling operation you are wanting to do. > **[Amana Tool® CNC Router Bits, Saw Blades | Power Tools & Supplies |...](https://toolstoday.com/)** > > Your source for industrial Amana Tool® CNC router bits, saw blades, shaper cutters, boring bits, power tools including SawStop, Fein, Jet, Powermatic & more. Free, same-day worldwide shipping. ---
**Author:** ![GlennAuer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@GlennAuer](https://community.inventables.com/u/GlennAuer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 9:17am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/13 "2020-07-15T09:17:22Z")
I do a lot of milling, all you need are extended 2 flute end mills. You can find them on Ebay. For Aluminum, use a 1350mm / 350mm feed rate at about 4k rotary speed. Keep a can of machine oil to help keep the material and bit cooler. You won’t even need a special collet, most extended reach bits are 1/8 shank. ---
**Author:** ![hoowahfun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@hoowahfun](https://community.inventables.com/u/hoowahfun)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/collet-adapter-drill-chuck/95522/14 "2020-07-20T00:07:04Z")
Thanks for all the tips. I decided to try using an end mill with a pecking operation from Fusion360 to make some of the holes. I have one on the way and hope to test soon.