I bought a 14pc, set of Porter-Cable Forstner bits from Lowe’s to use for my workbench prodject. I got them home and took them out of the package and was shocked! Burrs, turned cutting edges, I’ve seen grocery store automotive department screwdrivers that where machined more precisely. These are brand-new, never been in a chuck! They should have been razor sharp, these looked like a lawnmower blade after mowing a gravel driveway. I’m returning them as soon as I finish writing this.
Edited 10/10/2009 9:34 am ET by JDBraddy
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That's actually not surprising. Did you get a good deal on them?
http://www.mvflaim.com
$45 wasn't a very good deal!
No it wasn't. That's about the same price you could buy the generic forstner bit set at The Woodworking Shows for (which, if I was a gambling man, would say they are same bits).
I don't know how much woodworking you do but Woodcraft sells a decent forstner bit set for around $78.00. It's the one I own and they have done a decent job. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000774/20866/Forstner-16-Piece-Bit-Set.aspx
My next set of forstener bits are going to the Colt Maxi-cuts. They are very pricey compared to the cheapos but seem to be well worth it. http://www.infinitytools.com/COLT-Maxi-Cut-Individual-Forstner-Bits/products/1488/
http://www.mvflaim.com
Edited 10/10/2009 10:05 am ET by mvflaim
I returned the Porter-Cables, and drove 40miles to the Woodcraft store and they showed me the Wood-River set you mention, but I took them out of the package while I was there, and they honestly didn't look that much better than the Porter-Cables, they wheren't very sharp, had burrs and small nicks along the cutting edge. I ended up buying this no-name chineese made set for $150. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004722/7921/Forstner-Bit-Set--Carbide-Tip--16-Piece.aspx
They where suprisingly sharp and well machined, and appear to be similar in quality to the much more expensive Fisher brand 16piece set they had, which where over $350. I hope they cut well. Can't wait to go try them out.
Cool, those will suit you well. I'm glad it all worked out in the end.
http://www.mvflaim.com
Yea, I just wish it had worked out at a little less than three times the price ($50-$150)! I wouln't have gone that much, but since I'm wanting to start doing this as a hobby, and I'm going to invest in tools, I should invest the most money on the tools I'll use most, and I figure I'll probably end up having to drill holes in almost every woodworking prodject I do.
Edited 10/10/2009 7:43 pm ET by JDBraddy
Edited 10/10/2009 7:44 pm ET by JDBraddy
Yup, a good set of drill bits no matter what type are a good investment in woodworking.
http://www.mvflaim.com
The PC bits have replaced the Freud bits at Lowes. Basically selling at the same price that the Freuds were also, but the PC are Chinese made.
Sounds pretty bad, JD. I took the set approach with my Forstners, can't remember the brand, but they definitely are better than what the PC's sound like. They work OK, and I'll replace the most-used sizes with really good bits (the aforementioned Colt for high-demand drilling, Freuds for the others). That way I don't spend money on sizes I never, or almost never, use and have a nice form-fitted box, LOL.
It's sad to see Porter Cable resorting to a marketing plan of selling sub-standard accessories. Back in the day, one could rely on anything with the PC label being top notch.
More 10 year old FW Q and A that has been resurrected for their membership only material. Proof positive that the only thing that lives forever is "information" on the internet.
I got given a set of really cheap forstner bits with carbide cutting edges.
They look dreadful - spindly things really, but work perfectly well. No complaints at all.
Might be worth a look.
This item on ebay is for the same sort of product - price is way low.
https://www.ebay.com/p/16pcs-Pro-Forstner-Drill-Bit-Set-Woodworking-Hole-Saw-Tool-Cemented-carbide/13020825372?iid=312390686491
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