I frequently need to bore holes into endgrain using a forstner bit in my lathe. I’m trying to speed up the process a little, considering buying a few forstners with the sawtooth edges, rather than the smooth edge bits a have always used. My questions, does using a sawtooth forstner result in ability to feed faster? (Trying to increase the lathe speed usually results in smoking the workpiece and scorching the bit.) Thanks, Gary
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Replies
No, not typically. The feed rate is controlled more by the depth of cut it can take than the rim. The flutes are kind of shallow, so it takes a thin cut. The sawtooth edge is just to fight heat build up on the rim.
You might look at the ships augers, or some of the other bits made for electricians and plumbers for drilling through framing on houses to run the plumbing and electrical runs.
Look at the Milwaukee "Hole Hawg" series, and similar bits. They come in large diameters and cut fast. They will probably leave a little tear out, but it shouldn't be too hard to clean it up.
The ships augers, and "Hole Hawg" style bits control the rate of feed by the lead screws, which typically have about a 1 in 16 pitch, so 16 revolutions will advance them about an inch.
Edited 3/15/2008 12:05 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures
I assume that you are drilling holes larger than 1/2", where you could use a twist or brad-point bit instead. I find the key to drilling with a forstner or saw tooth bit is to use almost as slow a rpm as you can bear. The bit stays cooler and it goes faster. I find that to be especially true when using a hand held drill. Bottom line - increase the feed rate, not the RPMs.
Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
I needed to add 3/4" tenons to some balusters I was making. I decided to do that by drilling a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the baluster and put a dowel in it. I got a Freud Forstner bit with the serrated edge. I drilled what seemed like a gillion end grain holes. It was my first time using a forstner bit, but I was impressed. I was using a drill press; no smoking and the last hole cut as quickly as the first. Here's a picture of the bit.
Thanks to all who answered. I will try decreasing the lathe speed and also will look for some of those Freud bits mentioned. Thanks, Gary
I got my Freud bits at Lowe's.
desertmaster,
My Forstners have the recommend speed on the side of the bit...
I got them at Woodcraft, don't know the brand
First, very good question. Just last night I was making a peppermill on the lathe, which required a 1" whole through 10" of walnut endgrain. I had a cheap sawtooth forstner bit. It started off working very well. I didn't reduce the speed enough apparently as when I was halfway through the piece, the bit didn't have any sawtooth left! Too much heat. I found a 1" brad point bit in the tool box and finished the job with it.
Pheasant, Wow, I have heard of dulling bits but never actually wearing the teeth off. I prefer to use the bradpoints over the forstners, because they cut so much faster, but my set only goes up to 3/4". Size I am looking for is 1 1/8" but haven't been able locate a brad point that size yet, so will probably try one of the wavy edge Freud Forstners. Thanks, Gary
desertmaster
You might try Milwaukee's self feeding bits.. I would use a regular forstner bit to start the hole and then new sharp Milwaukee bit to finish.. the hole edges are pretty smooth and decent.. All my holes in my timbers are done with them both black walnut and white oak.. they go in size all the way to 4 5/8ths but I caution you those larger ones take a real gorilla and study set up not to rip your arms out of their socket.
The sawtoothed forstner bits I have are only fractionally faster than regular ones.
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