Forstner or Auger drills

[BrianD]

Hi all,

Without gong completely overboard and buying everything, I wish to buy a half-decent set of drills.

Should I buy Forstners or Augers? I appreciate that Forstners can provide clean blind holes with good finish whereas Augers can have greater depth.

For general purpose which should I buy and any recommendations. I am at early stages of experience.

I have flat bits but of course I have problems that the dowel is 12 mm and the flat bit is 13 mm. So of course now I have to get a decent set. There is nothing worse then getting into a project to find out you do not have the right bits to finish the job. :evil: :evil:

Appreciated in advance.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Hi Brian,

Can you be a bit more specific about what it is you are doing - do you want the drills for dowelling (with or without a dowelling jig) or other purposes as well and will you be using them on wood or man-made boards. If you can be more specific it will be easier to advise what will be best :wink:

Paul

 

[woodbloke]

I use an 'el cheapo' set of forstners (metric) from Axminster which work very well - Rob

 

[engineer one]

i reckon you should check out the el cheapos from lidl or
aldi when they are in, then you could cheaply figure out
which is better for you.

paul :wink:

 

[PowerTool]

For general use,I would get a set of lip and spur bits.Forstner bits are best used in a drill press.Auger bits are most use on larger section timbers (generally outdoor projects like decking,pergolas and gazebos)

As Paul said,more idea of what you want to use them for will help.

Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

I have a lot more success with forstner bits than auger bits when used in a drill press

 

[Paul Chapman]

Brian,

One word of warning about auger bits. Many of those sold for use in electric drills have a threaded point similar to the ones intended for a hand brace. In a hand brace the threaded point makes sense because it draws the bit into the work. However, in an electric drill I think they can be dangerous because they can draw the bit into the work at such a rate that it's all a bit out of control and can take you by surprise :shock: :shock: Personally, if buying augers for use in an electric drill I would look for ones with a plain point.

Paul

 

[Alf]

One word of warning about auger bits <snipped>

Fully agree- lead screws in a power drill are a total 'mare, IME.

If it's dowel joints you're wanting, lip 'n' spur/dowel/brad point bits are the jobbies. To be honest for anything between the 5mm to 12mm they're probably the best for general woodworking use. For smaller sizes HSS jobber bits do fine, for larger forstners in the drill press would be my first choice (I use one of those boxed sets of Chiwanese sawtooth ones). Deep holes, I break out the brace and bits. In all likelihood you'll probably end up with a range of different types for different jobs in the end anyway. And they say you can never have enough clamps... :roll:

Cheers, Alf

 

[BrianD]

Hi all,

thanks for the replies.

So it's lip 'n' spur for me first followed by........and so on down the slippery slope I go. :wink:

Cheers

 

[Neil]

Hi Brian,

I would recommend this lip & spur set as a good option, especially with it being on offer at the moment.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Hi Brian,

I would recommend this lip & spur set as a good option, especially with it being on offer at the moment.

Cheers,
Neil

I bought this set, excellent buy even at the original cost.

 

[woodbloke]

Brian D wrote:

So it's lip 'n' spur for me first followed by........and so on down the slippery slope I go.

If you've got access to a grinder its quite easy to grind up a set of lip and spur bits from some old HSS jobbers drills - Rob

 

[Paul Chapman]

If you've got access to a grinder its quite easy to grind up a set of lip and spur bits from some old HSS jobbers drills - Rob

Hi Rob,

I'd be really interested to know how you do this. Do you do it free-hand or do you use some kind of jig?

Paul

 

[Alf]

Paul beat me to it; I know it can be done, 'cos I've heard it mentioned before, but details escape me. If you've a moment, Rob...? [-o<

Cheers, Alf

 

[Colin C]

If Rob does not :wink:
I will post some pic's on how to do it and it is easy
Yes you can do it free hand as I have to sets of drill, one for metal and one for wood with lip and spurs ( from 1/2" to 1/16 )

Alf :shock: :roll:
You dont know how
(Quickly getting coat, forget the coat. heading for the car quick) :wink:

 

[Alf]

Alf :shock: :roll:
You dont know how
(Quickly getting coat, forget the coat. heading for the car quick) :wink:

S'metalwork 'n' engineerin' an that, innit? :lol:

 

[engineer one]

dunno alf, can't live with us, (engineers that is! :twisted: )
can't live without us.

eventually you have to manipulate a lump of metal to
shape a lump of wood. b****r isn't it :lol: :roll:

paul :wink: