SH

Steve Hall

24/02/2007 9:34 PM

Forstner bit set advice

I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
set:

Porter-Cable, 16pc. ($45 + tax)
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=100390830

I've compared them with these:

Rocker, 16pc. ($60 + free shipping)
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=16954

Woodcraft, 16pc. ($40 + tax)
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=774

(Lee Valley doesn't sell a set with the 1-1/4")


Anyone here have experience with the P-C? I'd like to do better than a
cheap HF set, but would rather not spend $22 on a single high end bit
either.


--
Steve Hall [ digitect dancingpaper com ]


This topic has 13 replies

Mi

"Mike in Arkansas"

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

24/02/2007 5:27 PM

I purchased the PC set from HD last year. They work fine, at least
for my occasional use.

On Feb 24, 3:34 pm, Steve Hall <[email protected]>
wrote:
> I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
> rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
> set:
>
> Porter-Cable, 16pc. ($45 + tax)
> http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_i...
>
> I've compared them with these:
>
> Rocker, 16pc. ($60 + free shipping)
> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=16954
>
> Woodcraft, 16pc. ($40 + tax)
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=774
>
> (Lee Valley doesn't sell a set with the 1-1/4")
>
> Anyone here have experience with the P-C? I'd like to do better than a
> cheap HF set, but would rather not spend $22 on a single high end bit
> either.
>
> --
> Steve Hall [ digitect dancingpaper com ]

Dp

"DZIN"

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

25/02/2007 7:06 AM

I have the PC set you mention, however my price was 39.00 at
Amazon.com.
My work is mostly in oak and I've seen no difference in the cut
quality of the larger bits in the 2 years (and 100s of holes) that
I've been using them.
Gene


On Feb 25, 5:53 am, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:34:43 GMT, Steve Hall
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >>I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole
>
> > Then buy a 1 1/2" drill. If you're actually planning to use it, then
> > get one that works.
>
> > These sets are of laughably bad quality. You _might_ get one to work if
> > you spend some time with a diamond hone first. Otherwise many of them
> > are good as firelighters, but not as drills. "High carbon steel" as a
> > selling point ?!
>
> Yes, but the sets come in a nice case. The one I bought was usable, but
> I've replaced the commonly used sizes with quality bits. The less used
> sizes do work for one or two holes and are there when the situation arises.
> And I have a nice little wood box to keep them in.

Cc

"CW"

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

25/02/2007 12:25 AM

Type of steel does matter. Carbon steel will lose its temper if overheated.
Only way to fix it is to anneal, then reharden and temper. HSS doesn't have
that problem.

"Gerald Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> All other things being equal I would opt for some with
> hexagonal shafts, especially for larger bits. They can be
> sharpened, so unless you use them a lot type of steel
> doesn't seem to matter a lot.


AR

"Allen Roy"

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

24/02/2007 8:25 PM

Have a look at this

http://www.grizzly.com/products/H7694

Not a bad deal but if you aren't going to use them much then it is pricey.

Allen
"Steve Hall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
> rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
> set:
>
> Porter-Cable, 16pc. ($45 + tax)
>
> http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=100390830
>
> I've compared them with these:
>
> Rocker, 16pc. ($60 + free shipping)
> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=16954
>
> Woodcraft, 16pc. ($40 + tax)
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=774
>
> (Lee Valley doesn't sell a set with the 1-1/4")
>
>
> Anyone here have experience with the P-C? I'd like to do better than a
> cheap HF set, but would rather not spend $22 on a single high end bit
> either.
>
>
> --
> Steve Hall [ digitect dancingpaper com ]

SH

Steve Hall

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

25/02/2007 1:16 AM

On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:55:00 -0500, Leuf wrote:
> On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:34:43 GMT, Steve Hall wrote:
> >
> > I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical
> > lumber rack
>
> If it's just for a lumber rack why do you need a forstner? A spade
> bit will do it, or a hole saw.

Good point. Truth is, I'm getting ready to start several projects that
will require Forstners, this project just gives me the excuse to get
them now.


--
Steve Hall [ digitect dancingpaper com ]

SH

Steve Hall

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

25/02/2007 1:49 AM

On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:25:14 -0500, Allen Roy wrote:
>
> Have a look at this
>
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/H7694
>
> Not a bad deal but if you aren't going to use them much then it is
> pricey.

$60 including shipping for 32 forstner bits is a fantastic deal if
they are any good, thanks for the pointer.

--
Steve Hall [ digitect dancingpaper com ]

Ll

Leuf

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

24/02/2007 4:55 PM

On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:34:43 GMT, Steve Hall
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
>rack

If it's just for a lumber rack why do you need a forstner? A spade
bit will do it, or a hole saw.


-Leuf

EP

"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

25/02/2007 12:53 PM


"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:34:43 GMT, Steve Hall
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole
>
> Then buy a 1 1/2" drill. If you're actually planning to use it, then
> get one that works.
>
> These sets are of laughably bad quality. You _might_ get one to work if
> you spend some time with a diamond hone first. Otherwise many of them
> are good as firelighters, but not as drills. "High carbon steel" as a
> selling point ?!

Yes, but the sets come in a nice case. The one I bought was usable, but
I've replaced the commonly used sizes with quality bits. The less used
sizes do work for one or two holes and are there when the situation arises.
And I have a nice little wood box to keep them in.

mm

mapdude

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

24/02/2007 10:05 PM

I bought a set on eBay several years ago. They have been all I could
want. I thnk I paid $15 plus about $10 shipping.

Here is an example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-PIECES-TITANIUM-COATED-FORSTNER-DRILL-BIT-BITS_W0QQitemZ160087622489QQihZ006QQcategoryZ50386QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD4VQQcmdZViewItem



Steve Hall wrote:

> I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
> rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
> set:
>
> Porter-Cable, 16pc. ($45 + tax)
> http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=100390830
>
> I've compared them with these:
>
> Rocker, 16pc. ($60 + free shipping)
> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=16954
>
> Woodcraft, 16pc. ($40 + tax)
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=774
>
> (Lee Valley doesn't sell a set with the 1-1/4")
>
>
> Anyone here have experience with the P-C? I'd like to do better than a
> cheap HF set, but would rather not spend $22 on a single high end bit
> either.
>
>

Jl

John

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

24/02/2007 8:44 PM

The PC set is $39.99 at Amazon and shipping is free:
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-PCFSB12-Piece-Forstner/dp/B000HCZ4FM


On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:34:43 GMT, Steve Hall
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
>rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
>set:
>
> Porter-Cable, 16pc. ($45 + tax)
> http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=100390830
>
>I've compared them with these:
>
> Rocker, 16pc. ($60 + free shipping)
> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=16954
>
> Woodcraft, 16pc. ($40 + tax)
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=774
>
> (Lee Valley doesn't sell a set with the 1-1/4")
>
>
>Anyone here have experience with the P-C? I'd like to do better than a
>cheap HF set, but would rather not spend $22 on a single high end bit
>either.

LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

01/03/2007 5:07 PM

Steve Hall wrote:
> I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
> rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
> set:

Forget the garbage forstner bit sets.

Think Hole Saw.

Lew

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

25/02/2007 11:59 AM

On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:34:43 GMT, Steve Hall
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole

Then buy a 1 1/2" drill. If you're actually planning to use it, then
get one that works.

These sets are of laughably bad quality. You _might_ get one to work if
you spend some time with a diamond hone first. Otherwise many of them
are good as firelighters, but not as drills. "High carbon steel" as a
selling point ?!

GR

Gerald Ross

in reply to Steve Hall on 24/02/2007 9:34 PM

24/02/2007 4:51 PM

Steve Hall wrote:
> I need to drill a 1-1/4" hole for some dowel to make a vertical lumber
> rack and was going down the block to HD to pick up this "High Carbon"
> set:
>
> Porter-Cable, 16pc. ($45 + tax)
> http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=100390830
>
> I've compared them with these:
>
> Rocker, 16pc. ($60 + free shipping)
> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=16954
>
> Woodcraft, 16pc. ($40 + tax)
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=774
>
> (Lee Valley doesn't sell a set with the 1-1/4")
>
>
> Anyone here have experience with the P-C? I'd like to do better than a
> cheap HF set, but would rather not spend $22 on a single high end bit
> either.
>
>
All other things being equal I would opt for some with
hexagonal shafts, especially for larger bits. They can be
sharpened, so unless you use them a lot type of steel
doesn't seem to matter a lot.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

Sex is like a bridge game: If you
don't have a good partner, you'd
better have a good hand.




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