Source for tiny drill bits?

[Maletrain]

Where do you guys buy drill bits smaller than #80?

[Spades]

HSS micro drills used for PCB Boards.  0.30mm is a #83 bit about the smallest bit I've ever used.  I think I found them on Ebay

[C855B]

https://drillcity.stores.yahoo.net/

[peteski]

The Tungsten Carbide PC board bits work extremely well, but at the sizes you want, they are extremely fragile. hand-drilling is pretty much impossible. I have (well, had) some #95 bits and I broke my share, even in a drill press. And I'm very careful. Make sure to get at least half a dozen (and they cost quite a bit more than #80 or larger bits).

[wazzou]

The PC Board bits...are those the ones that come in a little plastic box with a foam index and a +/- 1/8th" shank?
I recall picking up some variety packed box of those at a show once from, The Toolman?
I wouldn't mind finding more of those.
Do any of the sites linked above carry them?

[Wutter]

Seconded for using HSS, every carbide in a small size like this I've broken before I've gotten to 50 holes. I recently bought some HSS bits on eBay, just waiting for them to show up; pretty cheap too so hopefully they're good but I typically use 0.3mm as my main drill.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-HSS-R-metalworking-twist-drill-bits-DIN338N-0-25mm/322661464519
(about 0.0098")

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-HSS-R-metalworking-twist-drill-bits-DIN338N-0-3mm/322661464871
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Micro-HSS-Straight-Shank-Twist-Drill-Bit-Electrical-Drilling-Tool-0-3-3-0mm/223215349165
(about 0.0118")

I like using 0.3mm as my main size instead of a #80 because its smaller than 0.0135" and I find that most of the details I'm trying to install are about 0.008", so I guess its closest to #85 (0.011"), and that offers just the right amount of tolerance so my holes don't need to be dead on and grabs and other details will still fit right.

[peteski]

The PC Board bits...are those the ones that come in a little plastic box with a foam index and a +/- 1/8th" shank?
I recall picking up some variety packed box of those at a show once from, The Toolman?
I wouldn't mind finding more of those.
Do any of the sites linked above carry them?

Yes ans yes:  Mike linked to Drill Bit City - they carry the PC board drill bits.  They are also plentiful on eBay.

Tungsten Carbide is a very hard and very brittle material.   Their split point also makes them drill faster and they don't wonder on the drilled surface like regular bits.

[Chris333]

I broke one drilling into a stick of butter once   

[wazzou]

Some of the larger ones though are perfect for drilling appropriately sized holes in Styrene bolsters to accept MT truck pins.  I've never had longevity out of the finer ones either.

[bbussey]

I source them from eBay or Amazon.

[kondor]

Seconded for using HSS, every carbide in a small size like this I've broken before I've gotten to 50 holes.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Micro-HSS-Straight-Shank-Twist-Drill-Bit-Electrical-Drilling-Tool-0-3-3-0mm/223215349165
(about 0.0118")

I third this. I just got these bits from eBay and so far this has been the most cost effective route for me. Just be patient with shipping.

[woodone]

The one thing we modelers lack is having a device that will turn these very small bit at a RPM that is fast enough.
Most hand held motor tools turn about 20 K. You can turn these micro size bits at a much higher RPM.
Even if you use a small drill press, your RPM is way too slow.

[Spades]

I broke one drilling into a stick of butter once   

 I guess that is one way to limit the size of your portion.

[Maletrain]

I broke one drilling into a stick of butter once   

I hammered a small nail with a stick of butter, once.  (Liquid nitrogen does things like that to butter.)

[thomasjmdavis]

The one thing we modelers lack is having a device that will turn these very small bit at a RPM that is fast enough.
Most hand held motor tools turn about 20 K. You can turn these micro size bits at a much higher RPM.
Even if you use a small drill press, your RPM is way too slow.

Our oldest Dremel (actually made in Racine, with a serial number in the 13000s - from the days when they had serial numbers- best guess it is younger than I am, but older than my adult kids) has a top speed of 25,000 and our newest Dremel has a top speed of 35,000- so not sure about "most" having speeds of 20k or less.  I am sure the "ideal" speed for a #80+ drill is something astronomical, but 35000 seems enough for most practical purposes. 

I was inspired to order some bits from DrillCity.  I'll let you know how they work out for me.  Frankly, I have broken so many high speed bits (in sizes under #70) that I am worried the carbide will not finish a single hole, based on some of the comments above.  I take it I should use these with a high speed tool and/or drill press, and leave the pin vice in the toolbox?