Who makes good Forstner Bits?
Paul Maston
some from W. Germany too. You may have to purchase individual sizes
rather than a set. They are expensive...
Gary Nijman
>
>Yesterday my long awaited 16 piece Freud Forstner bit set arrived. After
>opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
>quality. (snip) I realize that Freud does not make the bits
>but for $190.00 I thought they would be of better quality.
Lee Valley Tools sells bits of nice quality made to their specs:
13 piece set 1/4' to 1" by 1/16ths $59.75 CDN $$$
16 piece set 1 1/8" to 3" $195.00 CDN
Box of 29 $249.000 CDN
They do mail order:
PO Box 6295 Station J
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K2A 1T4
Ph 1-800-267-8767 (I don't know if this # works from U.S.)
Fax 1-800-668-1807
They have a delicious 246 pg catalogue of "Fine Woodworking Tools", as they put it.
No major power tools though they carry power carvers etc.
Excellent company. Full money back guarantee (they even return your postage) if you
are not happy "for any reason", within 3 months.
They sell stuff in the US under their Veritas brand name. They may have a US supplier - call 'em up.
>
Gary M. Nijman
Vancouver, BC
Canada
Tim S. Smith
opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
Some even had a substantial burr on the outside of the circular edge. The
shanks also had visible scratches. It looks like someone put all the bits in a
bag and shook them around a while. I realize that Freud does not make the bits
but for $190.00 I thought they would be of better quality. I mail ordered them
as I do most things. The company said that they would take the bits back but
that most of them look as I have described. They suggested I use a couple of
them and send them back if I still didn't like them. I used them and it seem
to take a lot of force (even for the small ones) to push them through the wood.
Is the quality I'm seeing normal or is this a bad batch? Should I consider
just buying a cheap set (59.95 from CMT) or wait to buy a better set?
Tim
--
Tim S. Smith |
Scientist | Of course any opinions expressed
Computational Chemistry & Biology | or implied are solely mine - Not
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals | that of... You get the idea.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45252 |
HEARTBREAK KID
>Tim
Not having ever looked at another set for comparisons, I have no
complaint with my 16 pc. Freud set. If, as an example, I can use a
9.6 volt Panasonic drill to bore 2 1/8" diameter holes thru two layers
of 3/4" veneer core plywood and have made several dozen 1 3/8" euro
hinge cup holes with their 1 3/8" bit using my newer Freud 13.2 volt
drill, I reckon they're sharp enough. I keep 'em in their wooden box
in a drawer so nobody notices if they're real shiny or not. All they
notice is the splinter free holes the bits give me.
HBK
Mark Lord
>> "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith> writes:
>> Yesterday my long awaited 16 piece Freud Forstner bit set arrived. After
>> opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
>> quality.
>>>>>
>
Those sound like spur bits, not forstners -- spur bits can only safely
be used at 90 degrees to the work surface, forstners are good at most angles.
--
ml...@bnr.ca Mark Lord BNR Ottawa,Canada 613-763-7482
For Linux IDE (big/many) help, see: /usr/src/linux/drivers/block/README.ide
For latest Linux kernels: ftp.cs.helsinki.fi:/pub/Software/Linux/Kernel/v1.[23]
Mark Lord
>In article <49fbrf$l...@news.pg.com>, "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith> says:
>>
>>opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
>>but for $190.00 I thought they would be of better quality.
>
>13 piece set 1/4' to 1" by 1/16ths $59.75 CDN $$$
>16 piece set 1 1/8" to 3" $195.00 CDN
>Box of 29 $249.000 CDN
Excellent bits, with plastic edge protection caps in the box,
and well oiled to prevent rust during transit.
But they don't drill flat-bottomed holes -- not a problem for most uses.
7510...@compuserve.com
> opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
> quality.
>>>>
I have been using Freud's carbide-tipped forstners for several months, often on nice stuff like particle board and
melamine. I bought them because the HSS bits I had weren't working well. The new bits work like a charm--clean
holes, no tear-out and quick cutting. Pricey? Oh yes.
Regards
Dan Schkolnik
Bennett Leeds
I've found that the Convaloco brand are very good. I haven't tried
all the brands out there, but they are better than the Freud bits,
and better than the so-called "good" Taiwanese/Chinese bits. I haven't
compared them to the Austrian made bits. The Convalocos are the only
ones, however, made from HSS.
The only drawback other than price is that the center nib is very very
small. It makes alignment more difficult and you have to be careful when
beginning partial arcs, but if you want a flat bottom they're hard to
beat.
- Bennett Leeds
ben...@adobe.com
Cazares
S. Smith" <tssmith>' wrote:
>Is the quality I'm seeing normal or is this a bad batch? Should I
consider
>just buying a cheap set (59.95 from CMT) or wait to buy a better set?
these are from Armpit, Taiwan or somewhere but like everything else, the
quality is in the specs. I don't think CMT would accept quality below a
certain (acceptable) level.
BTW, I purchased a 16-bit set from Harbor Freight. I went throuh a dozen
sets and picked out the best looking. Brought digital calipers to check 'em
right on scene. They were really pretty good. I was after cosmetics by the
fourth set... I got 'em on a half-price sale for $35. Couldn't resist. (And
YES, they work fine.) Only needed two but I've used about half now. I'm
happy.
Paul Maston
Email me
Paul Way
I have used a wide range of forstner bits and I noticed a big difference it
quality of cut. My wife bought me a set of Taiwanese ( Grizzly ) bits for
christmas last year. They are OK for light work. But they heat up quickly
and burn the wood. They also seem to have become dull very quickly. I then
bought a Freud forstner bit for a project. It works better than the Grizzly
but it still would overheat quickly. Then I borrowed a freinds forstner bit
set that he found at a pawn shop for $75.00 ( set of 8 ). They were made in
Austria, I believe the brand was Fisch. I'm sure they are much more
expensive when purchased new. They were amazing. I was using the 1.5" bit
in Oak and it never complained once. I drilled 10 holes in 3/4" Oak and
there was none of the smoking and overheating that I have come to expect.
So I do believe that there is difference in the quality of forstner bits.
Myself being just a hobbyist with woodworking I probably will stick with the
Freud or CMT line of bits. But, if I were really serious and could aford it
I would by the better Austrian made bits.
Paul Way
vijay kumar
>At 04:25 AM 12/1/95 GMT, you wrote:
>>On Nov 28, 1995 16:02:55 in article <Who makes good Forstner Bits?>, '"Tim
>>S. Smith" <tssmith>' wrote:
>>
>>
>>Get the "cheap" set from CMT. They're a good company, period. I'm sure
>>these are from Armpit, Taiwan or somewhere but like everything else, the
>>quality is in the specs. I don't think CMT would accept quality below a
>>certain (acceptable) level.
>>
>I have used a wide range of forstner bits and I noticed a big difference it
>quality of cut. My wife bought me a set of Taiwanese ( Grizzly ) bits for
>christmas last year. They are OK for light work. But they heat up quickly
>and burn the wood. They also seem to have become dull very quickly. I then
>bought a Freud forstner bit for a project. It works better than the Grizzly
>but it still would overheat quickly. Then I borrowed a freinds forstner bit
>set that he found at a pawn shop for $75.00 ( set of 8 ). They were made in
>Austria, I believe the brand was Fisch. I'm sure they are much more
>expensive when purchased new. They were amazing. I was using the 1.5" bit
>in Oak and it never complained once. I drilled 10 holes in 3/4" Oak and
>there was none of the smoking and overheating that I have come to expect.
>So I do believe that there is difference in the quality of forstner bits.
>Myself being just a hobbyist with woodworking I probably will stick with the
>Freud or CMT line of bits. But, if I were really serious and could aford it
>I would by the better Austrian made bits.
I was at Home Depot yesterday, and found the Freud bits there-- and they were
made in Austria !
Tim Henneberry
>From: "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith>
>Subject: Who makes good Forstner Bits?
>Date: 28 Nov 1995 16:02:55 GMT
>Yesterday my long awaited 16 piece Freud Forstner bit set arrived. After
>opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
>quality. Every bit had nicks, dings, and shiny spots on the cutting edges.
>Some even had a substantial burr on the outside of the circular edge. The
>shanks also had visible scratches. It looks like someone put all the bits in a
>bag and shook them around a while. I realize that Freud does not make the bits
>but for $190.00 I thought they would be of better quality. I mail ordered them
>as I do most things. The company said that they would take the bits back but
>that most of them look as I have described. They suggested I use a couple of
>them and send them back if I still didn't like them. I used them and it seem
>to take a lot of force (even for the small ones) to push them through the wood.
>Is the quality I'm seeing normal or is this a bad batch? Should I consider
>just buying a cheap set (59.95 from CMT) or wait to buy a better set?
>Tim
>--
>Tim S. Smith |
>Scientist | Of course any opinions expressed
>Computational Chemistry & Biology | or implied are solely mine - Not
>Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals | that of... You get the idea.
>Cincinnati, Ohio 45252 |
In my opinion Vermont American makes the best Forstner bits. They are high
speed steel, are nicely cast and machined, and won't burn up like normal
carbon steel. I've used them in my Industrial Arts classes and trust me, if a
13 year old who knows nothing about feed rates can't burn them, they must be
tough. That's my two cents.
Tim
Roger Hoover
Paul Way <pa...@EXTENDSYS.COM> wrote:
>Myself being just a hobbyist with woodworking I probably will stick with the
>Freud or CMT line of bits. But, if I were really serious and could aford it
>I would by the better Austrian made bits.
>
I have a set of Freud bits that I've been pretty happy with. The
box says "made in Austria". Are they making them somewhere else
now?
aba...@neosoft.com
shanks which limit the depth. True Forstner bits are available from "top
of the line" mfrs with longer shanks. Conn. Valley Mfg. is one Mfr. These
bits can do deep boring and production work! The working end of the bit
(rim) is slightly releived to prevent burning. These bits are quality
stuff and you can expect 1 or 2 to equal or exceed the cost of a low
priced set.
An alternitive to Forstner bits is the Multi-spur bit.
It looks like the Fortstner but the perimeter of the rim instead of being
sharp, has teeth (like a rip handsaw) around the edge. This results in
faster boring, but the bored hole is not as clean but still is very
respectable. It is not made to bore thin veneers as is Forstner and can
easily tear them up. The Multi-spur bit is easily sharpened with a file
unlike the Forster. Instructions on sharpening are in FWW issue No.70.
In article <WOODWORK%9512041...@VMB.IPFW.INDIANA.EDU>, Paul Way
sfis...@crosslink.net
>>>On Nov 28, 1995 16:02:55 in article <Who makes good Forstner Bits?>,
'"Tim
>>>S. Smith" <tssmith>' wrote:
>>>
>>>
>
with the
>>Freud or CMT line of bits. But, if I were really serious and could
aford it
>>I would by the better Austrian made bits.
>
were
>made in Austria !
>
>
>
Austria. Just bought a recent set from Grizzly, however, and they were
now made in Taiwan.
Bennett Leeds
> In my opinion Vermont American makes the best Forstner bits. They are high
Unless these are quite new to the market, they aren't HSS. The only HSS
bits are those made by the Conn. Valley Mfg. Co under the name Convaloco.
- Bennett Leeds
ben...@mv.us.adobe.com
Keith Hollister
>
> Tim Henneberry writes
> > In my opinion Vermont American makes the best Forstner bits. They are high
> > speed steel...
>
> Unless these are quite new to the market, they aren't HSS. The only HSS
> bits are those made by the Conn. Valley Mfg. Co under the name Convaloco.
The Wm. Alden catalog lists these as HSS also - not that that means they
are ...:-)
--
Keith Hollister
kei...@gate.net
Thomas Chimento
(Tim Henneberry) wrote:
> In article <49fbrf$l...@news.pg.com> "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith> writes:
> >From: "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith>
> >Subject: Who makes good Forstner Bits?
> >Date: 28 Nov 1995 16:02:55 GMT
>
> >Yesterday my long awaited 16 piece Freud Forstner bit set arrived.
>>Every bit had nicks, dings, and shiny spots on the cutting edges.
> >Some even had a substantial burr on the outside of the circular edge. The
> >shanks also had visible scratches. I realize that Freud does not make
the bits
> >but for $190.00 I thought they would be of better quality. Should I consider
> >just buying a cheap set (59.95 from CMT) or wait to buy a better set?
>
> >Tim S. Smith |
> >Scientist | Of course any opinions expressed
> >Computational Chemistry & Biology | or implied are solely mine - Not
> >Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals | that of... You get the idea.
>
> In my opinion Vermont American makes the best Forstner bits. They are high
> speed steel, are nicely cast and machined, and won't burn up like normal
> carbon steel. I've used them in my Industrial Arts classes and trust
me, if a
> 13 year old who knows nothing about feed rates can't burn them, they must be
> tough. That's my two cents.
>
1) I bought a set of 16 TIN coated bits for $30 from ENCO. The cutting
edges were
not very good, so I sharpened each one before my first use. They cut
cleanly, never
get hot and have held the original egde for repeated cuts. I recommend
them. Call
800 information for their number.
2) I doubt that VA bits are made of HHS. This is very uncommon and I've
been told
is restricted to the Convalco brand of bits. Please check the original
package to confirm.
Thomas
--
Thomas Chimento chim...@neuron.arc.nasa.gov
Keep it simple, do it right.
stephen robinson
(Tim Henneberry) writes:
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.com!thennebe
> From: then...@ra.isisnet.com (Tim Henneberry)
> Newsgroups: rec.woodworking
> Subject: Re: Who makes good Forstner Bits?
> Date: Mon, 4 Dec 1995 19:06:59
> Organization: isis inc.
> Lines: 35
> Message-ID: <thennebe.1...@ra.isisnet.com>
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> X-Newsreader: Trumpet for Windows [Version 1.0 Rev A]
>
> In article <49fbrf$l...@news.pg.com> "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith> writes:
> >From: "Tim S. Smith" <tssmith>
> >Subject: Who makes good Forstner Bits?
> >Date: 28 Nov 1995 16:02:55 GMT
>
> >opening the box and inspecting the bits I was very disappointed with the
> >Some even had a substantial burr on the outside of the circular edge. The
in a
bits
> >but for $190.00 I thought they would be of better quality. I mail ordered
them
> >as I do most things. The company said that they would take the bits back
but
> >that most of them look as I have described. They suggested I use a couple
of
> >them and send them back if I still didn't like them. I used them and it
seem
> >to take a lot of force (even for the small ones) to push them through the
wood.
> >just buying a cheap set (59.95 from CMT) or wait to buy a better set?
>
> >Tim
>
> >Scientist | Of course any opinions expressed
> >Computational Chemistry & Biology | or implied are solely mine - Not
> >Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals | that of... You get the idea.
>
> In my opinion Vermont American makes the best Forstner bits. They are high
> speed steel, are nicely cast and machined, and won't burn up like normal
> carbon steel. I've used them in my Industrial Arts classes and trust me,
if a
> 13 year old who knows nothing about feed rates can't burn them, they must
be
> tough. That's my two cents.
>
>
>
--
22:09
30/11/95---------------------------------------------------------------------
------
| Stephen Robinson EMail stephen@ |
| Mail sent via Demon Internet - Full IP for 10/Month Tel:0181 371 1234 |
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Try Ridgway or Sandvick
Iam a joiner and have found that the above makes are exellent
I still have and use the ones i bought nearly 20 years ago
Ridgeway may also be known as Marples
If you want the UK address please e mail me