Buying Forstner bits

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Haynie

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I have never used one of these but if I want to make pepper mills and a couple of other things so I am going to need them.

As with drills I am sure there are good ones, great ones, and bad ones but don't know which is which. I cannot afford the uber expensive ones and not sure I want to buy a kit. Is there a good middle of the road brand?

What should I look for when buying them?

Thanks for the advice in advance
 
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on sale at Woodcraft....

Woodcraft has their 16 pc set on sale for $45 or so. (normally was $90). I couldn't resist at that price.
I pasted in the item number for you:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]147067[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Forstner 16 Piece Bit Set[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Shipped[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$45.69[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$45.69[/FONT]
John P
 
Thanks. In my search I found a fine wood working review and they listed grizzly as a good choice but the ones they chose are no longer available.

Does anyone know if the sets they sell now are the same as what was reviewed?
 
I have not read the article so have no idea. Not sure how old my set of Grizzly forstner bits are but have served me well. Would like to have a set of their hex shank, just don't want to spend the money.
 
There was just a thread over in Other Things We Make forum...

Pepper mills go through the bits fairly quickly (especially for the long through hole). Depending on what style you make, however, you only need a few bits. I use a carbide (I bought at Woodline USA - Carbide Forstner Bits) for the through hole and cheaper bits for everything else.

-Barry
 
Forstners are great for lots of things if one works quite a bit with wood. I have two sets 1/4 to 2 1/8, at 1/8" increments and a 2 1/4 to 3 at 1/8" increments.

If you don't want a set, and you intend to make mills in which you will use only two or three sizes at the most, I would recommend getting a little higher quality individual bits. Nothing like having a whole set and and two are worn out and the rest are not used. Several companies sell individual bits. I think LeeValley does.

I will say that they take patience to re-sharpen correctly.
 
Maybe not best reference but information still outstanding.

http://www.wwch.org/TechData/Forstner_Bit_Speeds.jpg

I have been sharpening my larger bits before use, more often. Do pay attention to speed more now have lathe with EVS and posted a speed chart on the wall.

Carbide bits require routine sharpening too! Have always thought needed to take carbide forstner bits to a professional shop, but see just need diamond hones. Frued still recommends taking them to a professional for sharpening.

Not sure would want to buy a JOOLTOOL and abrasives required to sharpen forstner bits. They have a nice video on the web though.

Whether get inexpensive or carbide bits need to keep sharp watch your speed and re-sharpen often. Sharpening only take few minutes.
 
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