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Hey, first time poster.

I'm having a bit of an issue getting my drill bits to actually sink into the plastic, using a pin vise. I've resorted to making a dent with the tip of a knife and working from there, but I feel like I remember drilling by hand without so much difficulty in the past.

Are my drill bits (QLOUNI 150pcs set from Amazon. Can't link in my first post, apparently.) unsuitable? Is GW plastic harder now, than it was ten years ago? Any tips on drill bit types/brands that might be sharper?

Thanks.

I've had a few issues with some.

Pilot points a good way to do it. Though I am looking at getting a dremmel.

Not much range in size but I've done OK with army painter and Gw for barrels and pins.

The hss set I got lacked bite but that I assume is for a powered set.

I use the tip of a compass to make my pilot points. GIves a rounder hole than a knife, which I find leaves me going off at an angle. I've always done that.

I think you might have a point about harder plastic for many miniatures though. Especially boxed games.

I have been getting the same issues, mostly with newer GW models (Looncurse Sylvaneth)
In my case, I just swapped to a different drill-bit I got with a pin-vice, and it worked much better.
Maybe looking to sharpen the bits you have might do it. I've seen sharpening tools sold, but haven't looked into them yet.

Could it be these drill sets are for a powered model not a hand drill?

Thry might nerd more weight, or a pilot point to work effectively.

I use a cordless drill, even for 1mm.

Someone suggested using the pointed side of a compass. This X1000. Using a #11 X-Acto blade is not precise enough in my opinion

I use the hand drill that GW sells and i drill all by hand/eye (i bought some extra drill sizes from Bunnings). I have had no problems. It sounds like the drill bits you use are blunt, either sharpen them or buy new drill bits.

Moreover, the plastic seems harder. I was just using (today actually) some bits from my bits box from the 90's and it is a paler plastic and it is much softer/flexible than the more grey they use now days (Idk if it was like that back then or it is cause of time).

I've got so wierd-ass tamiya modeling drill bits that I use for various things, that range from easily big enough for heavy weapons, right through to too tiny to have any practical use. A lot of them are too small for a pin vice (mostly the ones I use for autoguns), so honestly I just put the bit itself between a thumb and forefinger and give it a spin. It's taken a little practice, and when I'm doing a big batch, I'll be a bit off center every now and then, but honestly I prefer it.

I often use the smaller bits to drill a pilot hole first, if that helps? Scoring with a hobby knife also works, but yeah...

...I will say, using fingers can be a little fiddly, and lord knows I've beansed it up a few times and dropped/snapped a few of my thinner bits doing it this way, but hey-ho. Still have the ones I need.

I have used HarborFreight brand.
https://www.harborfreight.com/20-pc-carbide-rotary-micro-bit-assorted-set-62379.html

Gos into plastic just fine by hand.
Super tiny bits break easily though.

Big fan of heller bits after 11 years
https://www.hellertools.com/en/

I've used down to the 1mm with success in a pneumatic drill, and the .5mm s in a hand drill.

If you're actually new to pinning and drilling - I recommend you pick a standard size ( .5 and 1 mm come recommended!) and stick to them.

Also, a big part of good hand drilling is the quality of the grip - if you get one of the swivel top types, you can exert a lot more force on the initial 'poke' and your hand won't get so tired