Sometimes, it’s not a big new power tool that makes a huge improvement in your shop!
I recently got my first set of Forstner bits, and I am absolutely in love with how great they are. They cut nice clean walls, and it is very easy to drill concentric holes or interlocking holes without slipping off center. In just a couple of months, I have come up with so many creative uses for these bits, I just had to say something glowing here.
I use the Forstner bits in my drill press, which explains why this is a new concept for me (I only recently bought my first drill press).
The set I am using is the Freud Diablo. I bought a boxed set of 16 bits for about $150. Not sure if there are even better ones out there, but I am very happy with these.
I’d be very interested in hearing from others about creative uses for these bits.
Edited 1/16/2005 3:18 pm ET by Matthew Schenker
Replies
Forstner bits are the cat's meow, aren't they? I bought a cheap boxed set, and figure I'll replace the most-used ones with higher-quality bits. I've used them to mount small (~1.25") round pictures frames in Christmas ornaments, to drill clearance holes when installing C-clamps underneath my table saw extension table. The pictures frame holes had to be very precise, and I was impressed with what a good job the big (and my cheap Delta drill press) did. One of the best things about a Forstner bit is that you can drill overlapping holes with them.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
They are neat tools. I have a few that I've been using for years, and sort of manage to sharpen from time to time, and also a new boxed set (Chinese made, no brand, from 6mm to about 50mm I think) that are actually quite good.
I use them (amongst many other uses) for making overlapping holes in small slabs of nice wood for drop-in trays in treasure boxes. Sometimes I slice off the bottom, drill the holes, then joint and glue the bottom back on, sometimes I drill almost right through then carefully cut a fabric or leather bottom for the holes.
Great tools, very versatile, every workshop should have some.
Malcolm
New Zealand | New Thinking
Edited 1/16/2005 8:54 pm ET by kiwimac
Does anyone attempt to sharpen their Forstner bits -- or do you send them to a service?
You can sharpen the bits with a dremel tool. The cutting lip should be done with a file or sanding stick.Larger bits I use the small sanding drum, small ones i use chainsaw grinding cylinders.400 grit wet and dry paper is good for sanding sticks, I staple a narrow piece on a popsicle stick or something like it.
mike
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