Tiny Push Drills for Precision Holes in Miniatures and Models

Archimedean drills work by having a moveable surround push down a spiral handle to turn a drill. For the small size drill bits used for miniatures and models, you brace the drill with your index finger, while you use your thumb and middle finger to slide the driver down the spiral to turn the drill. It sounds awkward, but this allows you to drill small holes (up to 1mm) with one hand, unlike pin vises or small hand held drills which need two hands to operate. The most efficient Archimedean drills have a return spring, which resets the drill after each push (and also reverses it automatically out of your drilled hole).

As most model Archimedean drills are designed to accept bits 1mm and under, they are used mainly for pilot holes for scale nails and brads in dolls houses, model ships, or railroad track, or to create starter holes for fretsaw blades. If you find yourself needing a lot of small holes in anything from metal to paper, an Archimedian drill with the proper bit, will allow you to drill the hole one handed without power. You can also use these drills on polymer clay (to clear holes in beads or make holes for cords or chains for example). The use of the drill depends largely on the size bits it will accept.

The designs of Archimedean drills can be slightly different. Some have an exposed return spring, others have two collets (drill bit holders) which allow you to hold drill bits up to 2 mm, some have a solid cover over the driver which you push down with your palm.