If possible, I always drill any necessary holes before cutting out parts. Small pieces, like these Hippopotamus ornaments, are easier to hold, and the risk of the wood splitting is reduced.
I purchased a used Grizzly drill press, refurbished it, and set it up for drilling small holes. As a test, I used it to drill a hole through a toothpick. The specifications for the Wen keyless chuck indicate that it can hold bits as small as 1/64 inch. While it can accommodate even smaller bits, I specifically need to use wire gauge bits for that purpose. For drilling smaller holes, I also have a Dremel drill press and several collets available.
When drilling holes, I set up the drill press so that the bit barely goes through the wood, just enough to create a visible bump or small hole. I drill from one side, then turn the piece over and finish drilling from the other side. This method minimizes tear-out. While it's much easier to use a brad point bit, you can also accomplish this with a twist drill bit.
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