Drill bits for LED

Got my 3mm and 5mm bits from EBay... try Amazon.

Those LED holders should be a standard size drill, just use the closest one you have. Drill a hole in some scrap Masonite or something for a test fit.

LED sizes are nominal. The number is close but may vary by a few thousands plus or minus. I would suggest getting a set of number drills from 1-60. The sizes are given in thousands of an inch. Harbor Freight sells a complete set for 20 bucks. 

You can convert millimeters to inches by multiplying by .03937". 3mm = .118", 5mm = .197"

The closest number drills are #31 and #8 respectively. You can start with the next size smaller in case the LED is slightly undersize for a snug fit.

You won't regret this purchase as you will find many more uses when modeling. These drills fill in the gaps between fractional drills up to 1/4". For sizes above 1/4" to close to 1/2" you would use letter drills. 

Pete

You are talking about the collars, yes?

Windows has a calculator with a conversion tool. When you look at the drawings for the holders the 5mm holder has 6.1 mm diameter shaft and the snap locks are 6.9mm.

The 6.1mm converts to .21875. So, a 1/4" or slightly smaller should still let the shoulder grab.

The 3mm holder diagram isn't as helpful. It looks like a 5.2mm which converts to .2047, so and 1/8" or the next larger bit in your index should work.

I have a cheap digital micrometer from harbor freight. They go on sale with a coupon at $10. I tend to measure items like that when I am ready to install and select a bit based on that measurement. I find the micrometer gets used almost as much as the digital multi-meter when working with train stuff.

http://www.micromark.com/10-pi...-set-5-5mm,7083.html

If I don't have an exact size, I normally just drill the next lower size and use the round toolmaker's file to slightly enlarge the hole.

I also found this tool useful.  Does both metric and standard measure.  Both inside and out.   Measure the LED and then find a drill bit that is slightly smaller or the same size.

 Some LED's are really small, center of picture connected to the blue and red wires.

Check this:

http://stores.ebay.com/Bitguy1?_rdc=1

Just stay away from carbide unless you are drilling hard steels. They will break if you blink your eye. High speed steel is much more forgiving and best all around. Carbon steel cutters are only good for plastic or wood but with the advent of cheap imported HSS you don't see much carbon steel anymore. Craftsman hex tap and die sets sold at Sears stores are carbon steel. Their round dies sold online are HSS. Just to be clear. Carbide is the hardest, then High speed steel, then carbon steels. If it doesn't say carbide or HSS it might be carbon.

Pete

Why not ask the seller what drill bit # or hole size they recommend for the product THEY sell.  I see from your link they give all kinds of dimensions but don't recommond a hole size.  There are several styles of LED collars/holders for 3mm and 5mm LEDs; IMO any reputable seller should provide this info.

Call your local tool store; they will often sell a single drill bit.

But as Norton suggests $20 for a 60-drill set seems pretty good to me for hobby work.  Using the ubiquitous Harbor Freight 20% coupons, that would make it $16 or about 25 cents per bit.  Not bad!

Thank you one and all for the advise and the drill chart, it was very helpful.

Happy 4th of July.