[harrysin]

Hey guys, my neighbor is selling a 16 pc & 8 pc Forstner bit sets. I googled them and don't get anything about the quality of that brand. Anybody ever heard of this brand? He's asking $60 for all 24 pieces. Two sets (16 & 8), each in a nice box with dove tailed corners. Don't appear damaged, all have plastic blade guards that are very tight (? not removed much).

Some time ago I succumbed to the low price of these boxed sets of Chinese Forstner style bits and they were hopeless, several had to be sharpened before they would cut. I now have individually bought bits off Ebay, all but the BIG ones are Tungsten. Whilst they are still from China, I've never had a problem.

 

[harrysin]

Could someone please explain to me why a jig is needed when using a Forstner style bit.

 

[harrysin]

For that unusual job I fully agree, but when used in a drill press (what they intended to be used in) I have never found any difficulty drilling multiple holes vertically and in the correct spot.

 

[harrysin]

In my early post I forgot to mention that a few years ago I bought this set of sawtooth Forstner style bits off Ebay, I can't remember what they cost but I do remember that it was cheap! Unlike the much earlier smaller set from Carbar-tec which were hopeless, these work extremely well but even so if I have a Carbide tipped one of the same size required, then that is what I use.