Cheap forstner bits!

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R

RAdams

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I just ordered a 1 1/16" forstner bit for $8 Including shipping and all! I don't know if this is what everyone else pays, but I am totally happy about this!

I have been looking for this bit for a while. I have found t ranging in price from $18 to $32, plus shipping. I know some are carbide, and some are treated or whatever, and this one is surely a cheapo. I am still happy. MLCSwoodworking will be getting more business from me for sure!
 
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I learned something about forstner bits yesterday during a turning class here in Ottawa.

From what I understand, the cheap ones are assembled by supercooling the shank and then pressing it into the cutter (or vice-versa).

The lesson was that if you use a forstner to hog out something you're going to turn (hollowing) such as a box or vase, it can heat up enough such that it will come apart.

This is apparently so common that the resellers of cheap forster bits are well aware of this and so will not exchange bits that come back in more pieces than when they went out the door.

The lesson was to go really slow when using them to bore a deep hole.

Cheers!

Gary
 
That's a tremendously cheap price for a size that usually doesn't come with sets and you need to turn some salt and pepper grinders!!! I hope it holds up for you, care to tell us where you stole it?? Duh I should have looked at the end of your post:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Ron,
Keep us updated on how this bit holds up... I bought some of the inexpensive forstner bits from CSUSA when I reorder my pepper mills kits last... they didn't hold their edge very long... will be interested to see how the MLCS bits hold up.
 
TellicoTurning said:
Ron,
Keep us updated on how this bit holds up... I bought some of the inexpensive forstner bits from CSUSA when I reorder my pepper mills kits last... they didn't hold their edge very long... will be interested to see how the MLCS bits hold up.
Click to expand...

I saved up and got the full set of HSS forstner bits from Grizzly after my experiences with some cheaper bits from various sources and seeing a review a while ago in WOOD magazine. I found they are much sharper out of the box and hold an edge much better so they can drill much faster with less heat build up. The set includes 31 bits in sizes from 1/4" to 2 1/8" by 1/16" increments and was one of the most useful purchases I've made recently. It's $139 for the set but I think well worth the money figuring it averages to under $4.50 for each bit.

Here's a link: http://www.grizzly.com/products/HSS-31-pc-Forstner-Bit-Set-w-Hex-Shank/H7956

Grizzly also has a full 31-piece set that is not HSS and is cheaper ($55) but I'm not sure about the durability: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Master-Forstner-Bit-31-pc-Set/H7694
 
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