Customer Reviews

Porter Cable PCFSB12 12 Piece 1/2-Inch to 2-Inch Forstner Bit Assortment

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First thing I noticed out of the box is that the bits are visibly dull.
Even to bare eyes the cutting edges look frayed, like a wood chisel that really needs sharpening.
As a consequence this new forstner bit does not cut as fast as a Freud bit I have used for years. (Even though the design and shape are almost identical to the Freud.) The bottom of drill holes in pine shows tearout and some fraying.
I have tried to sharpen a bit with a dremel, this improves things. This can take 5 minutes per bit.
Why not 1 or 2 star? I suspect that after sharpening you still end up with a drill bit that lasts better than a cheaper version. Cheaper ones of course may be dull(er) as well. More importantly, these bits are straight and precise so they don't wobble like cheaper ones.

When I was starting a new project in my shop I needed a couple of new bits. In looking around I thought it was an opportune time to purchase this set. The cost was [...] with free shipping. What is nice about Forstner bits is they are guided by their circular rim instead of their center, and consequently will bore a circle hole or an arc of a circle and can be guided at an angle when necessary regardless of woodgrain or knots.

I use these bits for both through holes and as counterbores to recess screw heads, carriage bolts and hurricane nuts. I am happy with the purchase. I didn't realize how much I made do with an almost right size until I started using these bits.

For people who do not have much experience working with larger diameter Forstner bits, from my experience they are better used in a drill press because they like to be run at a lower RPM. I have included a table that shows the recommended speeds for Forstner bits.

Copied:

In using Forstner Bits, excessive speed will cause burning. To avoid this and drawing the temper in the tool, the following speeds for the various sizes are suggested:

--SOFT WOOD (Pine)----------------------HardWood (Maple)
Tool Diameter-------RPM--------------Tool Diameter-----RPM
---3/8-5/8---------2400-----------------3/8-5/8-------1800
---11/16-1---------1800-----------------11/16-1------1400
---1 1/16-1 7/16---1200-----------------1 1/16-1 7/16--900
---1 1/2-3----------600-----------------1 1/2-2 1/8-----450

This has got to be one of the best deals going! For those who do precision wood work or who just need a good set of Forstner bits the value of this set far exceeds the price.

Excellent. Had tried using a less expensive set from a friend until this arrived. These cut much quicker and cleaner

These are decent bits for the money. They are not as good as buying a set of Freud HSS bits, but I could not afford a set of Freuds either. I have drilled a lot of holes with these, even abused a few of them by drill into aluminum. They are all still working!

I took them to my sharpener, and he told me they were not worth sharpening, so when they start to cut too poorly, I will probably buy another set just like them.

Is there any difference between these and the next step down from the junk tool store? I don't know, but these have served me well. I have a few Freud that are HSS and Carbide tipped, and the difference is substantial. However, we are talking about single bits that cost more than this entire set!

Well made and nice clean cuts.
Very good quality and comes in a nice storage box.
Glad I did not go for the cheaper bits.

Porter-cable hit a grand slam with tis set! You can find 16pc set for less money! And thats what I did and what a mistake!! I piad 29bucks for a 16pc set and almost every bit had wobble and all burnt everything from soft pine,oak,maple,popler,cherry,and plyboard! I know what speeds to use so i know it was the bits and not the operator.. These cut very clean holes,even with my hand drill these cut wonderful!But put them in your drill press and wow!!!Light year's above that 16pc set I had!!!!

These have got to be the worst forstner bits I've used to date. I had noticed upon removal from the packaging that ALL of the cutting edges were not just dull, but spawled, chipped, and looked to have been sharpened with a wood rasp. (My lawnmower blades have a crisper edge!) These bits are definitely not fast, sharp, or worth your money if you are serious about your tools. -no stars today Chinese made Porter Cable-

I have used a couple of the bits already and they are sharp and make clean cuts! I would recomend this to anyone. Has a good variety of sizes as well.

I used most of the bits already and they are super sharp with clean holes.nice case too, what more can i say.