Since 1993, I’ve had pretty much the same set of bits – brad-points I inherited from my grandfather and a set of Forstners I bought from Lee Valley. I’ve tried to maintain these bits as best I could, but when building all these Roorkee chairs, I gave up on my bits.
So I bought two dream sets of bits.
I first got a taste of the Lee Valley HSS Brad-points when I started working at Kelly Mehler’s woodworking school. He keeps a special stash of them that has saved our collective bottoms on several occasions. I’ve wanted a set of these bits ever since. And last week I bought the set of 28. They are all still dipped in their protective flubber and I can’t stand to remove it. Joy!
While at Popular Woodworking we got to test out some of the Maxi-Cut Forstners after being wowed by them at a tool show. They are very well made and clear chips like nobody’s business. I bought a set of five and will add to it as I can afford it.
I know there are other great bits out there, these are the ones I’ve had the best experience with so far. I hope they last as long as my previous sets.
— Christopher Schwarz
Try not to slice your fingers open removing that protective goo, the flutes are painfully sharp. I’ve had my set for a few years and have been pleased.
I only have a small set of the Lee Valley brad points, but they are the sharpest bits I’ve ever used. High production value on these as well, no poor machining marks. They are perfect.
I put the goo back on after every use of my set (the small one). Because I am a freak.
I lost the goo from one of mine once. It fell off the bench into a pile of shavings. It took me nearly an hour of franticly searching to find it again. I think we should start a support group.
I’m in.
“Freak” is such a general term; it doesn’t convey any of the true depth of your condition…
When I bought my set some years ago, I tore off the goo–from all 28 bits–in one marathon goo-rending session. And yes, I did cut my fingers doing it.
No clearer example of two ends of a spectrum have I ever had the pleasure to read.
Ha ha on putting the goo back on. I started to do so, but I spent more time putting them on, fat fingers, than using them. Great bits.
My Lee Valley Brad Points (large set) have drilled a lot of holes since I got them (when they first came out years ago) and I consider them one of my better tool investments. My only problem with stuff from Lee Valley is that I live less than a half hour drive from TWO of their stores! Not good for the budget….
I save the too(been doing it for years) then remelt it for reuse!
Dxxx tablet keyboard! “GOO”.:-)