Steelex D3573 Forstner Bit Set with Hex Shank, 16-Piece, Brown, 5 pounds
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A 3/8-inch round shaft is used on sizes 1/4 to 1 inch. The 11/32 (AF) hex shaft is used in sizes 11/8 to 21/8.
The shank has a length of and a width of 374 Yes, they are compatible with a 3/8 drill chuck.
This is excellent. However, it is not up to par. It's best to use a drill press or a regular drill for these. When working with these, an impact drill isn't necessary. In fact, I'm guessing that will produce a range of true hole sizes; I know that using standard drill bits with an impact driver produces holes that are 1/32 larger than the bit size indicates.
Yes and no are both correct. They're reasonably sharp right out of the box (especially for the price), but the issue I had was with the way they were shipped. The first shipment rattled around inside the wooden box, bouncing off of one another. As a result, the box's edges have been nicked and the interior has been ripped apart. I returned them after repackaging them in the manner in which I believed they should have been packaged at the time of purchase. They provided a free replacement set. They were packed a little better by chance or design, and they arrived mostly intact. It's worth noting that I said for the cost.
Selected User Reviews For Steelex D3573 Forstner Bit Set with Hex Shank, 16-Piece, Brown, 5 pounds
If you're looking for a set of starter forstner bits for your drill press at a reasonable price, this is the set for you. They have, however, had a poor overall performance. They become hot and sluggish. You can reduce the drill press speed to around 500RPM, which helps a little, but then you're forced to work so slowly that it becomes a chore. If I hadn't been switching back and forth with a Freud bit, I probably wouldn't have noticed these problems as much. There is a significant difference in quality there. One thing I will say about the case is that it is very nice, with the bits staying snug and the workmanship being quite good. This is still a good value at around $60, but I would recommend upgrading to Fisch or Freud over time, even if it means buying one $25 bit at a time for each size.
These are fantastic at cutting! They've been a lot of fun to use. Expect to be able to use it all day, every day. These are meant to be used on a sporadic basis in your workshop. br>br>I've only used a few bits from this set, but they worked well and were far superior to the Ryobi brand set I purchased from Home Depot. They also come in a convenient box that protects them. Just be careful when pulling them out of the box because they are sharp and the box holds them in place tightly. It's great that there are so many different sizes to choose from. The hole created by 2 1/4 is quite large. . . . as well as a lot of wood chips! I've only used these in my drill press. br>br> Unlike most self-help books, this one isn't about you. A Forstner isn't designed to cut a lot of holes in a short amount of time. Self-feeding bits are far more suitable for hand drills. You will perform poorly if you purchase the incorrect tool for the job. Slow rotations and a lot of stamina are required when drilling a 2 1/4 hole with a hand drill. The bit does not go through the wood on its own. br>br>Before you buy a Forstner bit, do some research on it and don't expect it to do anything it wasn't designed to do. br>br>Recent changes: br>br> These are something I've been using a lot lately, and they make some fantastic holes. I've tried several different sizes and they've all cut beautifully. In addition, contrary to some reviews, I have not found the small 1/4" bit to be ineffective in removing chips. Each component has performed admirably! Take a look at the photo to see the high-quality 3/4" and 1/2" holes that I drilled. It comes highly recommended! br>br>Recent changes: br>br> These bits are still razor sharp and perform admirably after more than a year of light to moderate use. This set has a lot of appeal for me. TIP: Make a note of the bit size on the wood storage unit beneath the bit so you can quickly locate it.
For two reasons, I chose this set. One, it had a full 16-bit spread, and two, the larger bits had hex-cut shafts. Anyone who has used a drill press to spin larger bits knows that the hex shafts are well worth the extra money. I received exactly what I was hoping for. br>br>For a little over $4. These aren't high-end tools, so they'll set you back about $50 each. The price is paid in the form of a lower finish on the tools, as it is with all low to mid-range woodworking tools. On the cutting edges, expect burs and grind marks, and on the interior, expect to see burs and grind marks. Setting the edge straight with a file and then stoneing it sharp takes less than two minutes. Unless you get paid a lot per hour, you'll still save money with these bits. br>br>As you can see, they work well on oak and other hardwoods, particularly after they've been sharpened. With fir and pine, there is some tearout, which is to be expected given that pine is soft and I was using a hand drill. Overall, I'm pleased with this collection. br>br> All budget tools require some polishing to bring them up to par, but these appear to be good steel at a reasonable price.
There was no tearing, no burning, and everything was clean from the first to the last hole. The first contact accuracy/sharpness was spot on, and there was no chatter. At twice the price, these would be a great deal.
br>br>The bits aren't just "Slip Fit" into retainer holes drilled in the storage box. Instead, each bit is "Press Fit" into a plastic bushing in each hole, making it nearly impossible to remove from the box without risking cutting your hand open on the sharp edges of the cutter you're trying to use, as well as adjacent cutters. It should not be necessary for a user to put on cut-resistant gloves just to take a bite out of the box. br>br>I managed to pry a cutter out of its hole with some scrap wood and then tried to pull the plastic bushing out, but it wouldn't budge. My drill press needs to be set up and the bushings need to be drilled out. The bits will have proper clearance for storage after the plastic bushings are removed, as they should have been shipped from the factory. br>br>As for bit drilling performance, as I previously stated, it is not worth the trouble and initial risk. If the bits are pressed tightly into white plastic bushings, as mine were, play it safe and wear cut gloves.
They're sharp enough that putting them in and taking them out of the storage box requires some caution. I've used them a couple of times and the holes they made were well-cut. These Steelex Forstner bits will not be used for fine furniture or art work. The majority of my requirements are modest. I would pay the same amount for one Forstner bit as I did for the entire set if I needed fine woodworking results.
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