I purchased a cheep set of Forstner bits years back. They work ok but when I need a quality cut they are lacking. What Forstner bits are good for lathe work. Black Friday is just around the corner.
I purchased a cheep set of Forstner bits years back. They work ok but when I need a quality cut they are lacking. What Forstner bits are good for lathe work. Black Friday is just around the corner.
Colt Maxi Cut bits are the best I have used.
Famag. Can't get any better. But they are pricey!
Famag a.k.a. Bormax
I have a set of precision Freud bits that are very nice, a bit pricey too.
I'm a fan of Colt maxi-cuts for lathe use, they cut end grain better and cooler than regular forstners, and are easy to re-sharpen... but they are pricy, I just bought a couple of my most used size...
I use the ones from Lee Valley....
The secret to getting good holes with forstner bits is to learn how to sharpen them. All tools eventually dull, and a dull tool doesn't work well. You've learned that lesson with turning chisels, and you've learned how to sharpen those chisels. Do the same with forstners.
I too have found the Colt Maxi-cut to be the best I've used. Pricey yes but if you can afford them there the ones to get.
ok so james you have peeked my curiosity. how do you PROPERLY sharpen forester bits
I hone the bottom surface of the cutting edge, using a small stone that is about 1/4x1x4. It isn't anything fancy -- I think it was sold as a stone for sharpening pocket knives. The one trick is to hold the angle of the stone so that the bit's cutting edge touches the workpiece. If you angle the stone wrong, the cutting edge isn't the first thing to touch when you push the bit into the work.
I've seen small diamond files -- from DMT? -- that should do the job too.
I bought a set of Porter Cable bits a few years ago. As to quality, I have used better but at $50 for a set of 14, they were a bargain then and have served me well. If I were one out I might replace it, but since I use most of the sizes, I probably will just buy another set.