Drill bits with countersink recommendation?

[Mark W Pugh]

OK, I have a set from...somewhere. The problem is, the countersink packs with wood material after about 4 holes. This requires stopping and cleaning out the countersink. I'm drilling numerous holes and need something that can clear the wood particles from countersink.

I found this from Lee Valley and was wondering if this product would work for what I'm trying to do - drilling a lot of holes without having to stop and clean out the countersink. Oh, I want one bit to do the job, I don't want to have to change the bit to make the countersink.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=71860&cat=1,180,42240,42281,71860

If not, any other recommendation?

Thanks.

[Chris Schoenthal]

I've been real pleased with this set from Rockler.
http://www.rockler.com/rockler-insty-drive-18-piece-self-centering-countersink-set

I like the feature of slipping a driver bit over the countersink instead of having 2 drills.

[Mark W Pugh]

I've been real pleased with this set from Rockler.
http://www.rockler.com/rockler-insty-drive-18-piece-self-centering-countersink-set

I like the feature of slipping a driver bit over the countersink instead of having 2 drills.

Chris,

On the counter sinks, it looks like the flutes extend past the stop (towards the drill). This would seem, to me, allow for material to clear out the back of the stop. Is that an accurate observation?

My bits do not have slots behind the stop. Thus, the countersink clogs up.

Thanks

[Sebastien La Madeleine]

I've been using a set from Wolfcraft (made in germany) that looks a lot like those at Lee Valley (can't find them on the Wolfcraft website anymore though)

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,180,42240&p=32309

And they are so open at the countersink end that the wood does not clog them.

I have recently installed a half dozen drawer slides that required 24 holes per drawer and they did not clog at all.

[Edwin Santos]

I have this set from Lee Valley: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32309&cat=1,180,42240

It's very good. Depending on the stock I'm drilling, I may have to stop and clean off the flutes in the tapered drill bit because when they pack up, the bit doesn't drill right anymore and gets hot. This is common in my experience with most drill bits. The counterbore part never clogs though that I can recall. However I think the one you're already looking at might be the right choice for the heavier use you're describing. Remember LV takes anything back if it is not performing to your expectation.

[Alan Lightstone]

I like that low friction Lee Valley set a lot. The second Lee Valley set, I've been using for years, and it really isn't as good as the one with the white, low friction collar.

[Andy Giddings]

Mark, have a look at this recent thread where a lot of the various options were discussed http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?251095-drill-countersink-combo

[Jim Becker]

I just had to replace my old "Insta" countersinks as they had reached end of useful life over many years. I replaced them with Snappy brand which is available in both regular 1/4" hex and in Centrotec (Festool) compatible shafts. I opted for the latter because, well...I use a Festool drill/driver and "native" was very attractive to me.

I have learned over the past year to avoid buying the inexpensive "special sale" type drill/countersinks. They are not durable at all and I broke my own rule in acquiring them...that rule being "the most expensive tool is the one you have to replace early and often". Sheesh...