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Looking for a good forstner bit...

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tarbellb

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Have project where I might be doing 1500+ 2" flat bottom pocket holes.

Need to find something better then my generic (and blown out) Asian made bit.

Anybody have suggestions on where to look and any brands I may not already know about?

I only need a 2" diameter bit.

I have checked Ebay for older USA made, its limited.
Seems Diablo/ Freud has started outsourcing some of their bits to China?

Bormax by Woodcraft is made in Germany = $60 promising.

Anybody else? Thanks!

example
dgm4vs.jpg
 
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tarbellb

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Those both look pretty tasty.

Interesting, the Fisch Wave seem to be the same as the Euro made Diablo/Freud.

The Famag (traditional woodworker) and Bormax both look nice as well.

Thanks for the leads, time to find a deal.
 
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cgrutt

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CMT might have something that will work for you but you might need to grind off the centering point for flat bottom. I believe they are made in Italy. Does it have to be 2" or will 50mm work? I was also thinking Whiteside but think they only have 35mm and 2-1/8". Did you look into Bosch?
 
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tarbellb

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I should have been more precise, the centering point is fine, and metric would work. No self feeding tips.

After looking around on Ebay/Amazon/web there is definitely some conflicting info on where some brands are currently making their bits.

Older Bosch likely USA or Germany, but the newer stuff looks China. Same with CMT, once Italy now China.

Leevalley has some France made bits, look interesting.
 
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Git

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I have always thought the for the most part Lee Valley carries quality items - and their free shipping event ends this Tuesday...

My Fisch Wave Cutter set says right on the front of the box "Made in Austria" - and Austria is known for some extremely high quality wood working machines - from Felder

 
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skruft

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If you will be drilling that many holes, perhaps a carbide one makes sense.
 
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rlitman

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tarbellb said:
I should have been more precise, the centering point is fine, and metric would work. No self feeding tips.

After looking around on Ebay/Amazon/web there is definitely some conflicting info on where some brands are currently making their bits.

Older Bosch likely USA or Germany, but the newer stuff looks China. Same with CMT, once Italy now China.

Leevalley has some France made bits, look interesting.
Click to expand...

Are you going to be gluing something into the circular hole, and that's why the centering point isn't an issue? But you don't want to drill through, so the self feed is out because of that?

My experience with Forstner bits is that they're not well suited to doing a lot of work, as they generate a lot of heat. Perhaps a carbide edged one might fare better in this regard. I'm not sure, as I've never tried that.

Have you considered cutting the holes with a router and a template?
 
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Big Bob

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I needed to recess some carriage bolt heads which required a very shallow cut with a 5/8" bit. I bought the generic bit at Woodcraft (Wood River, I think), which was a complete loser drilling into white oak. I went back and bought the Bormax, German product, and it ate through that wood with ease.
 
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tarbellb

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rlitman said:
Are you going to be gluing something into the circular hole, and that's why the centering point isn't an issue? But you don't want to drill through, so the self feed is out because of that?

My experience with Forstner bits is that they're not well suited to doing a lot of work, as they generate a lot of heat. Perhaps a carbide edged one might fare better in this regard. I'm not sure, as I've never tried that.

Have you considered cutting the holes with a router and a template?
Click to expand...

Excellent observations rlitman.

Im not gluing in anything, luckily the client doesnt care about the small dimple left from the center point.
And the self feeder tip wont work because they rip to much material out, or potentially all the way through. Again, I just need a ~1/2" deep pocket.

I would totally entertain a nicer carbide tipped bit, but would have to show significant improvement of time. This project doesnt require super high finish standards, its more about time mgt for me to make money.

Routing isnt really a good option, to much time, plus the board im using has a slight curve to it making the jig complicated.
 
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superautobacs

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The Maxi-Cut bits are made in France, and they cost a fortune!

I'm just a hobbyist woodworker so I just stick to the HSS forstner bits from Lee Valley (made in China). Their HSS is a step up from the basic carbon steel bits.
 
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rlitman

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tarbellb said:
...
Im not gluing in anything, luckily the client doesnt care about the small dimple left from the center point.
And the self feeder tip wont work because they rip to much material out, or potentially all the way through. Again, I just need a ~1/2" deep pocket.

I would totally entertain a nicer carbide tipped bit, but would have to show significant improvement of time. This project doesnt require super high finish standards, its more about time mgt for me to make money...
Click to expand...

Well duh, one closer look at the picture and I get it now. Of course you're not gluing anything in there.

What I've seen from Forstner drilling, is that deeper holes have more heat issues than shallow ones. Your holes will not be deep at all, so I'd just start drilling.

The center pip is only there for locating purposes. If you're looking to save time, a good jig that holds each piece in place for drilling is what I'd worry about, and if you have that, you can grind off that point.
 
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tarbellb

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Kickass guys, thanks for the help.

I ordered two different bits from Ebay this week. The first was a impulse auction ending purchase and I may regret it- Freud / Diablo FB-015 - made in China $12.50

But then found a nice Freud PB-015, "Precision shear, serrated edge" Austrian made. $18

We will see how they perform?

That Bormax looks nice, I think the advantage with those is the fluted sidewall. Likely reduces heat.
 
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