Making tiny drill bits

Drill bits of 1/32in or less are hard to find, expensive and break easily. But in minutes, you can make a tiny drill bit from an ordinary sewing needle. These are readily and inexpensively available in a multitude of small sizes. To make a bit, use two pairs of pliers to snap the needle right at the bottom of the eye. The resulting blank is too hard for filing but, if held in a pin vice, can easily be stoned by hand to yield good cutting edges.

I have used these needle bits not as in marquetry, where they are indispensable, but also for drilling 1/50in deep holes 1/2in deep in oak.