Shopsmith Forums

Making some tea light holders. Need 1 5/8 hole drilled in end grain
Cannot find a spade bit that size. Forstner bit does not work very well.
So, drill with 1 5/8 hole saw, and cleanup with 1 1/2 spade bit......

Use what works for you, but a sharp forstener bit cuts well for me. Had. To watch a few videos on how to sharpen one...

I'll echo Chris's statement about forstner bits. Turners use them all the time in end grain, but they do need to be sharp.

Mike

A good friend has Forstner bits that have a wavy?? roller coaster like outside edge. His grandson got them for him in Germany (stationed there). I presume they are pricey but dang they cut nice. . They don’t wander in end grain AT ALL!! and make a very smooth side cut. Not sure how he’ll sharpen them (neither is he ).

This is probably not at all pertinent to this discussion or the original post , but thought I might share.

Be well,
Ben

There are a number of YouTube videos on sharpening forstner bits. If you are drilling end grain oak the bit will need it. It’s pretty easy using diamond stones if you have them but 150 and 220 grit sandpaper on a flat surface works fine also.
Paul

benush26 wrote:A good friend has Forstner bits that have a wavy?? roller coaster like outside edge. His grandson got them for him in Germany (stationed there). I presume they are pricey but dang they cut nice. . They don’t wander in end grain AT ALL!! and make a very smooth side cut. Not sure how he’ll sharpen them (neither is he ).

Be well,
Ben

He's probably talking about Famag. And yes, they're pricey! A 1 5/8" is about $50 at Woodcraft - or spring for the set of 13 for $460 .

I have the Colt Maxi Cut forstner bits, also from Germany, and also expensive, but not as expensive as the Famag.

http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/m ... r_bits.htm

Mike

I have an Austrian set made by Fisch that are coming this month. They are expensive but Woodpeckers had a pre-order sale back in August. It is the 16 piece set that is now listed on the Woodpeckers site for $420. Back in August you could pre-order them for $299 and free shipping. One of the nice things about Woodpeckers pre-orders is that if you order directly from them they do not charge your card until the item ships.

https://www.woodpeck.com/fisch-wave-cut ... -bits.html

jsburger wrote:I have an Austrian set made by Fisch that are coming this month. They are expensive but Woodpeckers had a pre-order sale back in August. It is the 16 piece set that is now listed on the Woodpeckers site for $420. Back in August you could pre-order them for $299 and free shipping. One of the nice things about Woodpeckers pre-orders is that if you order directly from them they do not charge your card until the item ships.

https://www.woodpeck.com/fisch-wave-cut ... -bits.html

That applies equally to Shopsmith.

dusty wrote:

jsburger wrote:I have an Austrian set made by Fisch that are coming this month. They are expensive but Woodpeckers had a pre-order sale back in August. It is the 16 piece set that is now listed on the Woodpeckers site for $420. Back in August you could pre-order them for $299 and free shipping. One of the nice things about Woodpeckers pre-orders is that if you order directly from them they do not charge your card until the item ships.

https://www.woodpeck.com/fisch-wave-cut ... -bits.html

That applies equally to Shopsmith.

Yes it certainly does.