Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've never drilled out barrels before and I really want to. The problem is, most of my IG army is painted. I'm wondering if I can drill out the barrels without ruining the paintjob. Also, what drill would you recommend?

GW sells one that works well. Gale Force 9 has one that I think is better. It has a larger ball for more comfort in your palm as well as getting two different drill bits with it.

Edit: Just found out that GF9 no longer makes said pin vice ... I would just get the GW one at this point.

Sure, if you dont mind paying GW $25 for a $5 tool.

Get these-

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Quality-Brass-Pin-Vise/dp/B0082EQXLG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1398185458&sr=8-6&keywords=pin+vise

http://www.amazon.com/SE-Drill-Mini-Sizes-0-35/dp/B004E7MAG2/ref=pd_sim_hg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WZXGE966GA955WMNWCR

All told, its half the price, and twice the bits.

cordless dremel

dremel is overkill for a beginner.
start out with a pin vise.

Sorry I was being a little facetious

I use an exacto knife to put a guide hole first and then a small drill bit to start the hole. I finish off with a drill bit that is the size I want for the final product. I have two inexpensive pin vices for this. One that I keep the smallest drill bit in constantly for the start holes and for pinning purposes and another one that I swap sizes for for larger holes.

Per everyone else's advise, the guide hole is key, otherwise the pin vise can slide around and create an off-center hole.

In regards to drilling into painted models, I haven't seen any issue with this in my experience. I would do a quick base coat with black, match whatever color was originally there and reseal with varnish.

Thanks for all the help!

I ordered this one http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Quality-Brass-Pin-Vise/dp/B0082EQXLG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1398185458&sr=8-6&keywords=pin+vise

Gragga Da Krumpa wrote:Sure, if you dont mind paying GW $25 for a $5 tool.

Get these-

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Quality-Brass-Pin-Vise/dp/B0082EQXLG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1398185458&sr=8-6&keywords=pin+vise

http://www.amazon.com/SE-Drill-Mini-Sizes-0-35/dp/B004E7MAG2/ref=pd_sim_hg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WZXGE966GA955WMNWCR

All told, its half the price, and twice the bits.

Not really fair, though. It's expensive, but the GW one is very nicely built. I got mine for $19, and it's my favorite pin vice. At either tool stores or hobby shops, you can get drill bits at about $1 each; just buy the sizes you really want.

Peredyne wrote:I use an exacto knife to put a guide hole first and then a small drill bit to start the hole. I finish off with a drill bit that is the size I want for the final product. I have two inexpensive pin vices for this. One that I keep the smallest drill bit in constantly for the start holes and for pinning purposes and another one that I swap sizes for for larger holes.

I paint a cross, and then poke out the center using an awl (pointy tool). Or, if it's double-barreled, I paint the horizontal line, and then the two verticals. There is nothing more awful looking than an off-center barrel!

Peredyne wrote:
I use an exacto knife to put a guide hole first and then a small drill bit to start the hole. I finish off with a drill bit that is the size I want for the final product. I have two inexpensive pin vices for this. One that I keep the smallest drill bit in constantly for the start holes and for pinning purposes and another one that I swap sizes for for larger holes.

This.

Except for the smallest bits, I don't even use a pin vise, just a standard exacto handle (one with the four chuck prongs) and put the tiny bit in there.

Your local hobby store should have a selection of tiny bits.

ebay is also a great source for tiny bits

I generally use 1.2 or 1.5 for bolter barrels, and 1.0 or 1.2 for muzzle breaks

Good quality HSS bits are like $5 each, and way more than you need

I also bought a set of graded pin vises like this -> https://www.widgetsupply.com/product/BBH19.html

Soooo much better than wasting 3 seconds swapping bits

kb_lock wrote:
ebay is also a great source for tiny bits

I generally use 1.2 or 1.5 for bolter barrels, and 1.0 or 1.2 for muzzle breaks

Good quality HSS bits are like $5 each, and way more than you need

I also bought a set of graded pin vises like this -> https://www.widgetsupply.com/product/BBH19.html

Soooo much better than wasting 3 seconds swapping bits

This.

Long term, I suggest multiple pin vices. Makes it easier to not have to change out.

I use one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/221354930819?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

Like others have said, making a small pilot hole with a pin or knife point makes a world of difference.

I just picked up a Ryobi 8v cordless drill from Home Depot a week ago, and it has saved my sanity (and wrists). Light and small enough to do the job, and I can control the speed of the drill with the trigger.

First off, marking the center of the barrel is key, a sharpened nail or tac head in a pin vice will help with putting a dent into the middle of the barrel.
This kind of pin vice is "industry" standard and tends to be inexpensive compared to hobby vices that seem inferior in quality:
Any vice with the pad at the back would be helpful if you are drilling pewter type models for pinning but a sharp drill bit should prevent any need for that.

I drill out both the end and the side of the barrel for marine bolters but IG use lasguns so there should not be much of a bore, more likely a lens, so I never bothered drilling them out.
I have tried outfitting Sgt's with bolters so those I always drill out.

I like to use a bulleting board push pin for making the center hole because its easy to grab

 usernamesareannoying wrote:
I like to use a bulleting board push pin for making the center hole because its easy to grab

Big fat needle works for me

kb_lock wrote:
I also bought a set of graded pin vises like this -> https://www.widgetsupply.com/product/BBH19.html

Soooo much better than wasting 3 seconds swapping bits

FYI: Do NOT buy this set from widget supply

The set I bought arrived the other week, and this post reminded me so I added in the other loose bits I had.

Not one single pin vise was straight, meaning they are all utterly worthless. Pretty disappointed with widget supply to be honest, I ordered 5 things, 3 were broken or crap. To be fair though, I have not yet contacted them to see what they can/will do about it.

I've just started a blood angel army which is actually the first army I've ever had that the bolters can be drilled out on so I'm really enjoying it

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
I just picked up a Ryobi 8v cordless drill from Home Depot a week ago, and it has saved my sanity (and wrists). Light and small enough to do the job, and I can control the speed of the drill with the trigger.

Cordless drills with variable speeds is the only way to go. Then grab some small drill bits like the Dremel 6 piece pack and you're more than half way there.

The pilot hole will be the key not matter what you use to drill. Painted models might need a little touch up after the drilling is done. A little black on the inside of the barrel should do it. Maybe a little metal color on the outside if you got messy.