My new tiny drill

[up1950s]

Micro Mark has a battery powered screwdriver http://www.micromark.com/ULTRA-TECH-PRECISION-POWER-SCREWDRIVER-AND-UNIVERSAL-CHUCK-COMBO,9714.html . They have a combo deal with it and a chuck . My Dremel slowest speeds is broken but otherwise ok . I got this Micro Mark #84772sp combo deal today . It has a metal gear-case and gears . Runs pretty slow , too slow for my drilling taste . Takes 2 AAA batteries . So I banged in the chuck which if a very tight fit , in fact I don't think the shank bottomed out in the hole , but it is tight . I use a similar chuck in my Dremel so I know it works great . I then took it apart , which is what I should have done to press fit the chuck , and gutted the handle of the battery contacts , spliced a wall wart 6VDC 15ma to the motor . Works great , has a reverse , motor so far isn't getting hot with the extra 3 volts , and the speed for small drills is perfect for my taste .

  

[DKS]

What a great kludge, Richie. Looks like a useful tool. I may follow suit.

[wazzou]

Does it spin pretty straight and true?  I mean, would you feel comfortable using it to drill grab irons if given a small dimple with a sharp pin to locate?

[up1950s]

Does it spin pretty straight and true?  I mean, would you feel comfortable using it to drill grab irons if given a small dimple with a sharp pin to locate?

There is a slight wobble but my hand drilling is worse and the smallest bits in the 3 ton Dremel is too heavy to feel the pressure applied . I will fell better using this on everything needing a small bit . If it doesn't break this is the cats meow . I will file 2 flats on the sleeve behind the chuck so I can use a wrench to help with tightening and loosening .  FWIW I opened her up and took the mated chuck and sleeve out , put it on end on a table and seated it all the way down .

[Zox]

Similar gizmo for $10 that might work, though you'll have to supply your own chuck:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=202479057&R=202479057

It takes 3/16" hex-shank bits. This size may be an emerging standard; I have some bits from a Harbor Freight screwdriver set that work just fine in the power driver.

[DKS]

Similar gizmo for $10 that might work, though you'll have to supply your own chuck:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=202479057&R=202479057

It takes 3/16" hex-shank bits. This size may be an emerging standard; I have some bits from a Harbor Freight screwdriver set that work just fine in the power driver.

HD now has these on sale for $7.