Hi all,

I recently purchased some vintage Craftsman auger bits at an estate sale.  The bits look similar to Irwin bits.  After de-rusting and sharpening with an auger bit file I tried putting the bits to use.  They were usable, though tough to turn in pine, but when I tried them in white oak they would only feed to the end of the lead screw and would stop advancing when the main cutters engaged the wood.

After some research I determined that the bits had been filed incorrectly leaving small bevels on the bottom of the  cutters.  The bevels kept the bits from cutting into the board.  Admittedly, some of the faulty filing was done by yours truly.  I managed to correct a few of the bits with some careful filing to remove the under bevels.  Still the bits are a pretty tough slog in hardwood.  I think they are of the more aggressive pattern and work best in softer woods.

So, do I accept the limitations of these bits and look for some Jennings bits for hardwood?  Or is there something else I can do to improve the cut with these bits.  By the way, the lead screws are in good shape and wings look good and not filed on the outside.

Thanks and happy new year.