Replies

1. 
   davcefai | Oct 10, 2009 09:05am | #1

   I haven't needed to try yet but:

   http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/sharpeningforstnerbits.aspx

1. 
   James R. | Oct 10, 2009 10:59pm | #4

   Thanks for the feed back. I'm going to give it a try, if it's more trouble than it's worth I'll be off to Rockler to buy a new bit.Jim

2. 
   Jammersix | Oct 10, 2009 11:16am | #2

   There's an article on exactly that in the current issue.

1. 
   James R. | Oct 10, 2009 11:06pm | #5

   Thanks. I found the article and like I told "davcefai" I'm going to try it. Those files are smaller than the files I have so I'll have to decide if it's worth buying them.Jim

3. 
   spotcheck | Oct 10, 2009 07:00pm | #3

   Honestly, I never wanted to fool with it.  As a bit gets dull, it moves into the set called "not for working on good stuff" and gets replaced in the "prime bits" set.

1. 
   James R. | Oct 10, 2009 11:11pm | #6

   Thanks. I may be going with your system if the sharpening doesn't work well.Jim

1. 
   RalphBarker | Oct 10, 2009 11:14pm | #7

   I heard that Forstner bits stay sharp longer if they aren't forst. ;-)

2. 
   spotcheck | Oct 11, 2009 03:51pm | #11

   Lemme know how the sharpning goes - I might try it.

   On the other hand, for "good stuff" I'm not sure I'd want to risk the project so I could try out my novice sharpening skills.  Not enough confidence in my skiils - wrong side of the "risk-reward curve."

4. 
   Dave45 | Oct 11, 2009 12:18am | #8

   I used to touch up my HSS Forstner's with a small file, but it became more of a hassle than it was worth. Most of my Forstner use is the 1 3/8" bit for euro hinge cup holes. As I've needed to, I've replaced them with carbide bits. (I get paid to make stuff, not sharpen tools. - lol)

1. 
   James R. | Oct 11, 2009 08:12am | #9

   Well, I've read the articles and I gave it a try and I've decided to purchase a new bit and just get back to work.I thank everyone for their input. I don't mind sharpening chisels and planes but the bit is just more trouble than it's worth.Jim

1. 
   Jammersix | Oct 11, 2009 11:19am | #10

   Would you be interested in selling all those nasty, dull bits?Since they're worthless, how much would you want? :)

1. 
   spotcheck | Oct 11, 2009 03:58pm | #12

   Heck - you could have them for shipping, except your timing sucks, Jammer.

   I am TRYING to help a very good friend get organized enough to do some basic tasks.  (Trying because the son-of-a-gun is not, and has never been for 35 yrs, very good at following instructions.  Wait - is that me talking about him, or him talking about me?  Hmmmm......hard to tell).

   Anyway - he recently got my down-graded forstner set, and down-graded brad-point set (both Fisch).  They're still useable, but he won't know the difference, and I can always blame failures on pilot error.  In fact, I got new sets of each before I really needed them, so I could get something in his hands.

   No inventory, except for the 2 sets I need.

   Sorry 'bout - But I will do this - next time (prolly quite a while) I have a set to retire, I'll post them for free + shipping.  Never even occurred to me...........

2. 
   James R. | Oct 12, 2009 06:29am | #14

   Right now I only have a 3/4" that could use sharpening. I won't get rid of it until I can't even use it on prototypes. Like Spotcheck said you could have them for shipping, however I don't think one cheap bit would be worth the shipping. I'll keep you in mind though.Jim

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 11, 2009 08:49pm | #13

   James, you might want to check out my Extreme Forstners thread, especially the post about the Colt bits from Infinity and the carbide bits from Freud.  For the truly challenging task, with many deep holes bored in hardwood, I'm going to try the Colts and other oft-used sizes but not such high-use, the carbide bits.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   James R. | Oct 12, 2009 06:50am | #15

   I checked out your thread and went to the Colt website. That looks like the way to go with my next purchase. At that cost however, I think I better learn how to sharpen them or pay someone else to do it for me. Good tip, thanks.Jim

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 12, 2009 06:56pm | #16

   They've designed them to be sharpened by the user.  I wouldn't be surprised if there are instructions with them when shipped.  If not, I'm sure they'd help over the phone.  I certainly couldn't afford a whole set of them, but for one heavily used size, it should be worth it.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)