Spiral Forstner bits

Has anyone used the spiral forstner bits? I drill a 1 1/8 hole in my bowl blanks and use the small chuck to rough out the outside (with the tailstock support). I drill about a 1 1/2 deep hole and the forstner bits have to be pulled back several times to clear the chips. If I could buy just one I would try it, but have only seen them in sets of 7 bits and so far haven't justified that much just to try something different.

Reply to
Gerald Ross
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Hi Gerald,

Individual carbide bits are sold - Freud makes some as does the Woodworking Supply Co in Wyoming. I have been using Freud bits for years now.

George

Reply to
George Saridakis

I found Freud carbide forstner bits, but no spiral type. The ones I am talking about are these:

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Reply to
Gerald Ross

Take a look at the Irwin SpeedBor bits. They have a lead screw but you can probably shorten it or adapt to using it.

Stuart Johns>Has anyone used the spiral forstner bits? I drill a 1 1/8 hole in my

Reply to
Stuart Johnson

Looks good to me. The size jumps from 1" to 1 1/4 but I think I can work around that.

Thanks!

Reply to
Gerald Ross

Hi Gerald

I know you said you are using 1 1/4" D bit, and I don't know if you are able to use a 1" D bit, but if so, than the short auger bits with brad point end that Lee Valley sells might be just what you are looking for, they also have special green wood drill bits, but again the largest size is 1 Inch, here is a link to the short auger bits

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Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Gerald Ross wrote:

Reply to
l.vanderloo

Thanks, I hadn't noticed those. Actually I'm using 1 1/8 now, but will try to see if I can use a 1" hole for that chuck.

Reply to
Gerald Ross

Or drop about 70 bucks with bestwoodtools.com and get a regular pin chuck. They make a unidirectional that's a pleasure to use.

Reply to
George

Reply to
Prometheus

If I may put my two cent's worth in green wood when working on my lathe I use the individual Imperial saw tooth bit made with HSS. See

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They come in a varietals of sizes. You can get them with HSS and with Carbon steel. I have used them both type of steel and the best performance is with the HSS.

Reply to
<marierdj

I also use a saw-tooth bit, but as I stated, to make a hole 3 or 4 times the depth of the bit, it has to be pulled back several times to clear the shavings or it is apt to jam, especially in green wood. That was the reason for the inquiry as to whether anyone had experience with the longer spiral forstner bits, which no one has apparently tried.

Reply to
Gerald Ross

I have also tried the Brad point drill see

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The latter did not work as good as the saw-tooth bit. I have look at the spiral forstner bit
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The spiral concept is interesting, I am willing to give it a try if I can find some made with HSS or even carbon steel at a lower price. Denis Marier Rothesay, NB

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Reply to
<marierdj

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