To make a drill bit for setting small brads in oak or other hardwoods, grind the tip of a sewing-machine needle to the middle of the eye, as shown in the drawing, and sharpen the resulting flutes as you would a twist drill. A pin vise makes it easy to hold the needle as you grind it. Even broken needles can be salvaged, and they bore excellent pilot holes — even in thin metal.
Jeffrey D. Taylor, Newport, OR
