Famag, Fisch, Colt or other. Best Lip and Spur or Forstner

[eoinsgaff]

Hey everyone,
Is there a general order of preference between Famag, Fisch or Colt bits? There is relatively good value to be got with Fisch but I wonder if that’s at a quality price.
Or is there another comparable brand to be considered?
Eoin

 

[sunnybob]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeBFcCTXZkA

 

[AJB Temple]

I have managed to bend the shanks on large Fisch bits in green oak. Likewise Axminster. No experience of Famag or Colt.

 

[Andy Kev.]

I've got some Colt bits and they do the business with no problems. That said, I use an eggbeater drill, which might not be of relevance if you're going to use a power drill.

 

[ivan]

In modest sizes, Famag. Being HSS they won't die if they get hot (small diam, high rpm), and are available in 0.5mm steps. Won't be easy to sharpen. If entry not a problem Guhring do a 4facet (& it's cobalt too) HSS, not quite as a spur, but the 4 facet point does not wander like a standard morse drill grind. You need a jig to create your own 4 facet points (see Tormek). Larger sizes are a problem; many old jennings augers turn out to have a coarse entry spiral (for softwood) and will sieze in hardwood. I believe some new fine entry spiral augers are on sale at $40-50 a throw...Even modest forstener/sawtooth work quite well with a fettle, if you can use a drill press and don't get them too hot.

 

[Bm101]

Maybe not so much for lip and spur? But Star M are definitely worth a look. Been hugely impressed with their auger bits. I would personally try their lip spur range if i could justify the money for any top range bits as they seem to come on a little cheaper?
The only ones I didn't get on with was a 19mm bit that is designed to prevent tearout on exit. It does that great. Just tears out the entry hole instead. Not a winner for me at least in hardwood. The auger bits I have used are scientific. Also they do a range which suits manual and powered.
No expert obviously.
One downside in uk is supply.
Workshop heaven or go abroad for a bigger range and shipping at fine tools etc
Cheers

 

[thetyreman]

I've had really good results with Austrian made fisch bits, they are not cheap but well worth it.

 

[Trevanion]

I've got a Famag 10mm drill bit. It cost me £1 per mm in diameter . It's an excellent bit and leaves a lovely smooth bore, clean entry and exit and cuts extremely efficiently and quickly. I keep it locked in a safe with all my other valuables as it's too precious to use on actual wood.

I have a relatively cheap set of Heller bits that I keep touched up on the grinder, they work pretty well.

 

[eoinsgaff]

Ok, so I have splashed out for these bad boys.

https://www.axminster.co.uk/fisch-25-pi ... t-102530Ok

The forstners I wanted are out of stock.

I’ll use the lip and spurs and revert with my tuppence worth.

Thanks for the thoughts do far

Eoin

 

[Quickben]

I've got a couple of Fisch's Black series forstner bits. Very impressed. Only used them on oak, walnut and ash up to now, but they leave a very clean finish. 15mm and 19mm.

Bought from Axminster for convenience, but I'll be looking for a cheaper supplier in the future.

Gary.

 

[SamTheJarvis]

If you've the cash, the Famag bits are the best you can get. The others I would say are roughly at the same quality level. I've found Fisch ones are slightly undersized, which may even be preferable if you're using a drill press with moderate runout (most have a fair amount). Small sample size but all 5 of mine are about 0.25mm smaller than the marked size.