Brad point bits - Norseman, Fuller, LV, other?

[Jonathan Jung]

What's the latest opinion on a quality brad point set?

Norseman, Lee Valley, Fuller, or another?

I am looking at one of these small-diameter sets, and a few other singles in larger diameters.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...s?item=07J0112

https://www.holbren.com/bradpoint-dr...kaAvdOEALw_wcB

https://hardwickandsons.com/products...7d2783ba&_ss=r

[John Ziebron]

I've had quite a few sets over the years but the best one I use now is Fisch. And like any brand name quality product there are a lot of counterfeits out there. If you end up deciding on them make sure you purchase from a sponsored dealer.

[Pat Rice]

Second vote for Fisch

[Frederick Skelly]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. I have a set of LV and a set of Norseman.

[Holmes Anderson]

I have that 14 piece Norseman set and it is good but I often find that I need the diameters that are missing from the set and they are not as easy to find as single bits as you might think. My guess is that Fuller and Lee Valley are similar. A long shank set would be nice.

[Alan Lightstone]

I have the larger LV set and it's been fine. But, as was said above, when they break, it's not easy to find single bits.

I also have Norseman and Fisch bits (not brad point), and they both are very high quality.

[Mike O'Keefe]

Fuller . Mike O'Keefe

[Kent A Bathurst]

I have the larger LV set and it's been fine. But, as was said above, when they break, it's not easy to find single bits.

I'm pretty sure that LV offers as singles every dia. bit included in their set, and then some - nearly 40 individual sizes.

[Jonathan Jung]

I'm pretty sure that LV offers as singles every dia. bit included in their set, and then some - nearly 40 individual sizes.

Yes, and Fuller also offers all the replacements, plus several different lengths. I'm leaning towards Fuller mostly because then all my brad points will be one brand and they are easier to get replacements.

[Edwin Santos]

I've been happy with the LV set. But the nature of the scoring tips leaves them susceptible to heat damage, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind when using them.

It's not what you asked, but grinding your own brad points from twist drills is not as hard as it would seem. Here is a video put out by FWW with Michael Fortune where he demonstrates the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcwOBL0tTbc

[George Yetka]

Im happy with the LV set.

[Mike Stelts]

Does anyone have experience with WoodRiver? They're on sale in June.

[Greg Parrish]

I bought the Fisch set last month when on sale at woodcraft. I think they were like $50 off. So far I’m pleased with them. They’ve gone up in price but if they are real, Amazon has them got a deal.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/2...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Fisch Chrome Vanadium Wood Twist Drill Bits, 29-Piece Set, Imperial Sizes 1/16-1/2 Inches, FSF-364757 https://a.co/d/gCZhiUJ

[Rob Luter]

I got these from Lee Valley in 2018. They've been awesome. A little spendy for the kit but they are sharp and drill true. Not a single complaint.

[Kent A Bathurst]

........because then all my brad points will be one brand and they are easier to get replacements.

OK - I am for sure not following your thoughts. How does owning 10 of a brand make it easier to replace #11?

I guess if the objective is to always have a matched set, then that fits.

And yet....when I needed to replace, or add, one forstner bit I took that as an opportunity to try a different high-quality brand. I switched allegiances because of that, Fisch to Colt And then years later, the same thing repeated itself.

I still have a few of my very original Fisch in my "spares" box, and my primary set is a mix of Colt Maxi-Cut and FAMAG pre-wave. All 3 brands are in the spares box - there is no bit too dull to drill a hole in pressure treated lumber. They seem to get along well in the box - no fistfights.

I have a mix of bradpoint as well - most are LV.