civilwartalk
Member
I purchased a WoodRiver - 3/8" x 4" Forstner Bit Extension at my local Woodcraft store, so I could extend the reach of my 1 inch forstner bit for making Pepper Mills and other projects. I even purchased a WoodRiver 1 inch Forstner bit because I wanted something that was sharp for my first Pepper Mill.
However, I had a few problems with this set. The bit fit in the extension with a lot of slop, but at first it did center ok, and I could tighten the forward hex nut in the extension, but when I tightened the rear nut the whole bit moved and wasn't centered anymore in the extension. Fiddling with it, there is a shallow groove in the drill bit for the forward nut, and there is a cone at the rear that aligns with a point on the base of the shank.
The shank below the bit's cutter head is larger, perhaps 1/2" in diameter, then it reduces to the 3/8" round shank (not hex, no flats as far as I recall) that fits in the extension. It seems like the extension uses the larger part of the shank, and the point at the end of the shank as contact points to center the bit. As soon as I apply pressure with the lower nut, the point slides out of place, and the whole bit sits at a 2 or 3 degree angle from straight and centered.
If I try to run the extension without tightening the second nut, I was able to make cuts, but eventually the bit ends up spinning, and it was very frustrating, and I almost got the bit stuck twice. I didn't attempt to run the extension and bit when it was misaligned, that didn't seem safe.
I am considering buying a new 1" Carbide Forstner bit from Woodline, it has a 3/8" hex shaped shank, I figure that will help make quicker easier cuts, and maybe help stop the bit spinning against the nut, and maybe the hex shaped shaft will use up some of that slop I'm fighting?
Or did I buy a lemon for an extension? What extension would you recommend if I were to buy a replacement?
However, I had a few problems with this set. The bit fit in the extension with a lot of slop, but at first it did center ok, and I could tighten the forward hex nut in the extension, but when I tightened the rear nut the whole bit moved and wasn't centered anymore in the extension. Fiddling with it, there is a shallow groove in the drill bit for the forward nut, and there is a cone at the rear that aligns with a point on the base of the shank.
The shank below the bit's cutter head is larger, perhaps 1/2" in diameter, then it reduces to the 3/8" round shank (not hex, no flats as far as I recall) that fits in the extension. It seems like the extension uses the larger part of the shank, and the point at the end of the shank as contact points to center the bit. As soon as I apply pressure with the lower nut, the point slides out of place, and the whole bit sits at a 2 or 3 degree angle from straight and centered.
If I try to run the extension without tightening the second nut, I was able to make cuts, but eventually the bit ends up spinning, and it was very frustrating, and I almost got the bit stuck twice. I didn't attempt to run the extension and bit when it was misaligned, that didn't seem safe.
I am considering buying a new 1" Carbide Forstner bit from Woodline, it has a 3/8" hex shaped shank, I figure that will help make quicker easier cuts, and maybe help stop the bit spinning against the nut, and maybe the hex shaped shaft will use up some of that slop I'm fighting?
Or did I buy a lemon for an extension? What extension would you recommend if I were to buy a replacement?
