Forstner Bits

[Knottscott]

I know very little about the forstner bit market. As always, I prefer to not spend a ton of money, but don't want to waste money either.

This is really too many questions for one post, but feel free to "pick and choose" if you're willing to offer an answer or opinion on any. Who makes a decent "value" level set? Are sets like the $45 PC really better quality than the $30 MLCS or $25 Ebay sets, or is it just a brand name premium? How's the Griz $40 set compare? Are the HF bits any good? What's a reasonable amount to spend on a set of this size, and are there any other good choices? Thanks for any help!

MLCS:

PC:

Grizzly:

[LCHIEN]

that's a good question.

I have the Harbor Freight Drill Master 16-pc set that's currently $35.



I've had it for several years. You know sometimes you get some HF stuff that's clearly off, they had run-out and concentricity problems. That's not the case here, this set has always run true and straight, cut nice clean holes.

I really don't have much to compare against... I have a few Forstner bits from Craftsman that are just as good, not really better. I have certainly not been dissatisfied, maybe they could drill faster? I don't really know.

They seem to be OK, if not very good for the price. I'd like to hear someone else compare them against some more pricey competition.

I notice in your pictures that the PC set has hex shanks. That is a feature that can certainly help prevent shank slippage when turning larger bits. I'd like that.

P.S. I use them a lot.

[jackellis]

I have the HF set and for the price, I couldn't be more pleased. they have hex shanks and do not slip.

[fbrend123]

I have the Porter-Cable set, that I bought at Home Depot a couple of years ago. Can't remember what I paid for them, but they've done all I asked of them. They don't get a whole lot of use, though.

[Knottscott]

Ironically, I just got a 15% coupon from HF, which puts me at < $30 plus tax .

...on the other hand, if the MLCS set is comparable it's < $30 to the door and then I can use the HF coupon for a different item!

Thanks for the input everyone.

Update: Just spotted HF's 20-pc TiN coated set on sale for $30....add coupon and I'm getting a tingling sensation! Maybe that just means it's time to get off the PC!

[Uncle Cracker]

I have had good luck with my CMT 16-piece SAE set. It's basically the same set Woodcraft sells for $150+, except with a different case. Got it at a WW show a few years back, and think I paid something like $60. Don't use Forstners a whole lot, and could probably do just fine with a set of HF's, though.

[jhart]

Picked up a set of 7 from Woodcraft a while back (Nov or Dec??) when they had them on sale for $15. Haven't used any of them yet. Some day I'll need them. Couldn't refuse the deal when I saw them.

[SARGE..g-47]

The current issue of FWW has just done a review on Forstner's. The Grizzly got Best Value. The Famag was Best and of course very expensive which doesn't always tell the story. The most expensive mortiser machine bits are really not machined as well as some of the cheaper competitors.

With that said, I purchased a set of Hickory WW from the Box about 6-7 years ago and use them heavily. The Hickory is a division of Oldham or U.S. Saw. They will probably last a life-time as long as I keep the speed down and dis-temper one. I did just that years ago with the 3/4" drilling dog holes in a work-bench with a hand drill.

I think that one will work about as good as the other from what I've seen as there seems to be major difference in price and quality from just observation of various sets.

[sweensdv]

I started out with the 7 piece HF set. As I used them and they dulled, I've replaced them with Freud bits. The HF bits actually worked quite well and I can lodge no real complaint against them but I did notice a difference between how they cut and how the Freud's cut. As I've needed bit sizes for projects that weren't included with the original set I've purchased Freud bits opting out for the longer lasting, better quality Freud's. If I had it to do over, I think I would have initially purchased one of the larger sets from HF and delayed my purchase of some of the more expensive Freud bits a little while longer.

[Pappy]

Did either HF or MLCS get used/mentioned in the FWW review?

I have the 16 pc HF set and have run into problems with it is the lack of bits in 1/16 increments. MLCS sells a 'filler' set and I am debating whether to get that or a full set from them.

When I needed a bit to set Euro hinges, I bought a Freud.

[newood2]

Rockler have these at half price + free shipping till 3/23
http://www.rockler.com/search_result...x=9&submit.y=8
I just bought a set yesterday
Howie

[SARGE..g-47]

Did either HF or MLCS get used/mentioned in the FWW review?

I have the 16 pc HF set and have run into problems with it is the lack of bits in 1/16 increments. MLCS sells a 'filler' set and I am debating whether to get that or a full set from them.

When I needed a bit to set Euro hinges, I bought a Freud.

The only two carbide bits they ran Pappy.. were the Freud and MCLS. About the same with the temperatures. The MCLS plugs with chip removal where the Freud didn't.. Quality of bore about the same. But.. suggested if you want dead flat bottoms.. MCLS as the tip can be removed.

Interestingly.. he didn't find much difference in the steel bits and carbide in performance. I have a feeling the carbide will hold the edge longer in the long haul. The Grizzlies ran pretty cool and came in well in all catergories along with the straight Woodcrafts.. with Griz getting the edge with the price.

I have been very happy with the Hickories.. but if I were buying a set today I would probably go Grizzly. The price is right..

[JimD]

I have three sets, all inexpensive. I think two are from Harbor Freight and work fine. One came from one of those mail order places that sell electronics and all kinds of stuff. They work but the large bits have cavities that collect sawdust forcing me to stop and remove it. I would stay with HF or Grizzly and not pay the extra for a "premium" brand. If you can, inspect the big bits and make sure there are no cavities.

Jim