I've been using hypodermic needles in my pin vices for fossil prep which work GREAT. And maybe I've re-invented the wheel here, but I just discovered body-piercing needles! These are so much better and cheaper! $12.99 for a multi-size pack on Amazon. The shafts are much longer, too, which is great. Easier to acquire by most, also. Thought I'd share. Here's the $12.99 mixed-size pack I got.