Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 21, 2003 09:16am | #1

   The Complete Guide to Sharpening, by Leonard Lee, discusses Forstner bits in some detail. It's available from Taunton Press or Lee Valley Tools.

1. 
   JohnCabot | Jan 21, 2003 07:04pm | #2

   Dear Uncle Dunc,

   Thank you for your very valuable suggestion!

   John Cabot

2. 
   tailsorpins | Jan 23, 2003 05:00am | #3

   I've always used a small flat file and the sharpened edge of the triangular tip of a 5" triangular file to sharpen true Forstner bits.  I keep a set of brace shank Forstners handy for all my mortising and half-blind dovetail work ... they're great.  Recently acquired one of the originals made by Benjamin Forstner himself.  It has no slot through the continuous rim, simply a port up through the center for the chip/shaving to exit.

   The rim is sharpened on the inside by scraping it.  I shall try to locate some original instructions from Connecticut Valley Manufacturing (CONVALCO), the last known maker of true Forstners.  People do not realize that those sawtooth bits with center points are not even related to real Forstners!  I will post those instructions here when I can find them.  Good luck,

   John in middle Tennessee

1. 
   JohnCabot | Jan 24, 2003 05:32am | #4

   Thank you for your help> I remember in the '60 and '70 that  Convalco was the only American Manufacturer producing true Forstners, Mine are quite old and most likely produced in Austria.

   Thanks again

   John Cabot