Need advice on the best available Forstner in terms of sharpness and durability. It will be used to bore holes in turned stock for “tea light” recesses, D is about 1.5″
The set of Forstners I have is pretty cheap, they work fine for the occasional use they get. But they’d never survive this use. Having watched Bonnie try demo the process at class with a deficient bit, I’m determined to avoid that frustration!
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Replies
They can be a little pricey but I suggest you look at carbide forstner bits. Freud has a line of carbide forstner bits.
Thank you, Farmer, I will check them out. I use Freud blades and some router bits and am confident in their products.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
J, try LV , they have a saw tooth 1 1/2" for $13. Over 1" ya should use a DP or a chuck in a tail stock. How deep do you need to go, how hard is the wood and how many to cut? If you have many to cut carbide would be better, if many, many buy two. Paddy
Hi, Paddy. Not sure what woods yet, this is a Christmas project and I just unburied my lathe after completing my class with Bonnie. Most like, some hardwoods, and hopefully many holders, so sounds like carbide is the way to go. Depth? Not sure, but probably ~1". Will be done on lathe most likely.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I have a set of the Freud carbide bits and they are very good. If I were to buy any more bits I would try the Colt. They are not cheap but reported to be very nice.
http://www.infinitytools.com/COLT-Maxi-Cut-Individual-Forstner-Bits/products/1488/
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.
When your ship comes in... make sure you are not at the airport.
Wow, Jerry, that looks like the cat's meow for sure! I'm pretty sure I'll order one, so if I get it before you try 'em, I'll let you know how it goes!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forstner bits get pretty hot and then dull. The toothed ones are less prone to this. Both types will cut much cooler and last longer if you use a dry lubricant. There are several different ones.
http://www.rd-50.com/wood.htm
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks, Hammer, I wasn't aware of the dry lubricants.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I like these a lot:
http://dimar-canada.com/products.php?m=56&idp=131
regards,
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
Thanks, David. Is there a web site you order from? Doesn't appear they sell from the manufacturer's site.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Sorry, can't help you out with that. Dimar Canada is a subsidiary of Dimar Israel, and I get them locally from the factory agent.David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
Dimar's sold all over Canada, sometimes without the name being given. For example the standard tablesaw blades in the LV catalogue are Dimar. Here's a site that sells the inexpensive Woodpecker line: http://store.workshopsupply.com/catalogue/index.php?manufacturers_id=13&sort=4a&page=2 . I've always found them prompt and helpful. The Nova industrial line you can find at Sharpco, though their site isn't the easiest to navigate: http://888sharpco.com/
Jim
Thanks, I'll wander around Sharpco, see what I can find.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I've seen the Bormax bits around at Woodcraft. They look pretty serious and priced to match. Haven't tried them though.
J
http://www.toolsavings.com/default.aspx?Page=home
Don't know if they have anything you are looking for but I was looking for some metric bits and came across this place.
You all may know about it but I didn't.
ASK
Hi, Ask, thanks. I'm pretty set on trying the Colt bits, but Tool Savings has some stuff in their Tool Steel section that will be of interest. Have downloaded the catalog, it's 2008 though, odd.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I downloaded it also. Big file, 500+ pages. The index is at the back but not the last pages.
ASK
I have used a Bormax bit for a similar task as tea lights and they cut like a hot knife through butter. Very expensive, about 30 bucks a pop, so I only have one. Here's a tip; run the lathe at the lowest speed and blow compressed air in behind the bit to keep it cool as you slowly advance the bit.
Dennis
Thanks, Oatman. It's another improved design, I see. It would be interesting to see the Bormax and the Colt tested against each other. Can't tell what the comparative price is. I'm hoping for something that will run reasonably cool (i.e., not hot) without assistance.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi Jamie,If you are drilling a lot of holes I think you are best served with carbide, either forstner bits or boring bits. Otherwise you will need several of the steel or plan to do some sharpening.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
Thanks, Charles, and good to see you. What's the configuration of the larger (>1") cutters? Would I be able to sharpen then when they do get dull, or is it best to send to a sharpener?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Jamie,I'm here pretty much daily so I've been seeing you! :-) The method of sharpening carbide forstners is essentially the same as for steel except that diamond is used. Pro sharpening is recommended for consistency and to avoid excess heat.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
I have quite a few of the Lee Valley high speed steel forstner bits and have been pleased with them. The larger sizes have longer shanks that have a hex head on them so they don't slip in the chuck.
Good luck
Troy
Carbide, carbide, carbide. Even when the job is not critical, carbide will last a long time, and for the price, a good value.
FG,
I picked up a Rover Bit "A" set at last years Edmonton show. So far they have been pretty good - an especially clean entry point. Not as sharp as I would like (will be discussing this with them in a couple of weeks), but a good guarantee and the show price was fair.
http://www.baddogtools.com/cat.php?id=3
Don
Forest girl, Conneticut Valley made the best forstner bits in the USA. Thet were bought out by another company but I understand the bits are the same quality. I don't recall the name,google connecticut valley and you will be directed to the new site.The bits are expensive, but like most American made tool accessories they wind up being cheaper in the long run.I have a set of Grizzly forstner bits that is fine for occasional use,I also have 6 connecticut valley bits that I bought in the early 70's that are still in pristine shape.
(PS ,I didn't have to sign in today,first time in 2 weeks) mike
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