Countersink bits are great time-savers because they drill a pilot hole and countersink (or counterbore if needed) in one step. These bits typically include depth stops, too.

On the downside, they tend to clog quickly. If you don’t stop regularly to clear the chips, you can burn the wood and overheat the bit. Also, since most depth stops spin with the bit, they can create a disk-shaped burn on the wood.

Woodworker’s Supply has worked to solve those problems with its new CleanStop Countersink Bits. Large flutes on the countersink cutter help keep clogging to a minimum. The depth stops have a couple of channels to allow chips to exit freely. At the same time, the depth stop acts like a bearing, allowing the bit to spin while the stop stays fixed in place, so there’s no burning.

No more burn marks. The depth stop stops spinning when it contacts the workpiece, so it won’t leave a burn mark in the wood.

After giving the bits a workout, I concluded they have excellent chip-clearing capability. I was able to drill deep holes without having to withdraw the bit to clear heavy clogs. Every hole was drilled cleanly in one shot, and the non-marring stop collars didn’t char the workpiece surface.

A set sells for $60. It includes four sizes of bits, so you can drill holes for the common screw sizes of #6, #8, #10, and #12.  Bits also are available individually. Go to www.woodworker.com.

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