Pin Vises

Pin Vises

A pin vise is a hand-held precision tool with a small collet at the working end, designed to hold drill bits, taps, broaches, pins, and similar small-diameter items for delicate hand work. Where a chuck-mounted drill is too big or too aggressive — jewellery, watchmaking, model engineering, fine repair work — a pin vise gives the operator full hand control with the collet's tight grip on tiny bits. AIMS Industrial stocks pin vises for precision workshop use.

The pin vise types we stock

• Standard pin vises — single collet at one end, for general precision work
• Reversible pin vises — collets at both ends, sized for different bit ranges, the everyday workshop choice
• Swivel-cap pin vises — handle cap rotates freely, allowing rotation by hand without slipping
• Multi-collet sets — single handle with multiple interchangeable collets for the full size range
• Knurled and ergonomic handles — for grip and control during sustained precision work

Collet ranges

Most workshop pin vises cover the small-bit range from 0mm to 3mm or 4mm in continuous-collet design (the same collet handles the full range), or in step-collet sets where each collet covers a specific size band. For very fine work (sub-1mm), specialty pin vises with smaller collet ranges give better grip on the tiny bits.

Where pin vises earn their place

• Model engineering — drilling small holes in delicate workpieces where a power drill would damage the work
• Jewellery and watchmaking — fine drilling, reaming, and broaching
• Electronics repair — tapping out holes on PCBs and small components
• Toolmaking — finishing precision holes by hand where machine tools can't reach
• Engraving and detail work — holding cutters and gravers for hand-controlled cuts
• Hobby and craft applications — model making, scale modelling, fine art metalwork

Working with a pin vise

Tighten the collet firmly on the bit — pin vise collets grip by friction, so a bit that slips just hasn't been tightened enough. Use cutting fluid even on small drilling work; the chip-clearing benefit applies just as much in tiny bits as in larger ones. Keep the bit square to the work; even small misalignment shears small drills at the shank. For turning, use the swivel-cap design so the cap rotates against your palm while the collet end stays firmly held.

Brands stocked at AIMS

The pin vise range comes from quality manufacturers chosen for collet accuracy, handle ergonomics, and durability under sustained precision use. Specialist precision-tool brands and trade-grade manufacturers both feature in the range — contact our team for current options.

Companion tooling

Pin vises pair well with our micro drill bit range (0.3mm-3mm in HSS and carbide), small-diameter taps, and precision broaches. For the workbench setup, a small drilling pad or rubber mat under the work prevents marking finished pieces and reduces vibration during fine drilling.

Need help choosing a pin vise for a specific precision application? contact our team — we'll match collet range, handle style, and accessories.