Best lens drill for the money.

[jeffsoptical]

I have an Acura Cx edger by briot. I want to start doing my own drill mount frames. What is a very good drill for doing 3 piece mounts? Santenilli, Briot, Smart Drill? What is your opinion?

Thanks, Jeff

[Chris Ryser]

I have an Acura Cx edger by briot. I want to start doing my own drill mount frames. What is a very good drill for doing 3 piece mounts? Santenilli, Briot, Smart Drill? What is your opinion?
Thanks, Jeff

That all depends if you are good at placing the holes..................and if you are, get an inexpensive drill that holds and clamps the lens at the right angle and start learning to drill the different lens materials (scarp lenses) without damaging the lens and making clean holes.
You will be ahead big money, and will be able to have a good judgement when selling drilled rimless jobs.

If you do not want to go this way, get the most expensive fully automatic drill that will do his own thinking and jusging.

[Optical_1]

I use a Dremel and do it by hand. A Dremel costs like $40.00. But you could pay $3000.00 and get one that is automated. I prefer the $40.00 option.

[Jacqui]

Smart Drill

[QDO1]

depends on how many you do a day

[CDOT]

for a smaller volume try a minima 2. I am using a santinelli less stress drill and hate it. too many plastic parts makes for accuracy problems. the minima is 99% metal construction.

[Lewy]

You need to determine the amount of lenses you are likely to drill, the time needed to do the whole job and the risk of screw ups, then factor this against sending out the rimless. I got myself a Proxxon upright drill several years ago and whilst it's a lovely bit of kit, I doesn't get used to it's full potential. Another thing, try and purchase your drill from an engineering company rather than an optical one, you will save £/$ , euro's.


Lewy

[Chris Ryser]

I use a Dremel and do it by hand. A Dremel costs like $40.00. But you could pay $3000.00 and get one that is automated. I prefer the $40.00 option.

Congratulations..............you must be the big winner. At least you still know what to do and why you drill a small hole. You still think before and during the operation.................and at the end the hole looks the same as having been done with a $ 3000.00 machine.

[DPalmer]

I use a Dremel and do it by hand. A Dremel costs like $40.00. But you could pay $3000.00 and get one that is automated. I prefer the $40.00 option.

You must really have a lot of patience using a dremel good for you !!!!!:D

[JA OPTRONIC]

Majority of the drills from the big names are good. Hilco has a drill that is cheaper and going to be more accurate then a dremal.
How manny are you sending out?

[Optical_1]

I beg your pardon, my Dremel is extremely accurate!!!;)

Majority of the drills from the big names are good. Hilco has a drill that is cheaper and going to be more accurate then a dremal.
How manny are you sending out?

[2Quyen]

Hilco costs $1000 and it uses a dremel drill. Smart drill is the one to go. It costs $2500. If you want less stress get the edger Kappa CTD or Optronics 7E. It has tilted drill option and you just input the coordinates to where to drill including the diameter.

[Thumbs]

Smart Drill is the way to go for a manual drill and the GerberCoburn Kappa CTD for any automatic edger with drilling features. I have been using the Smart Drill for 3 years and just updated my edger to the Kappa CTD in October because I do about 40% drill rimless jobs of which 70+% are custom shapes. The Kappa is interfaced with my computer and I am able to store all my jobs and drill coordinates using GerberCoburn's Innovations Edge program.