Stupid question, but here goes- Given the choices of an auger, a spade bit, a self feed bit or a hole saw, What dictates which wood boring bit you use?
I never understood whty anyone would use a holesaw in wood for anything under inch and a half..
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Replies
What dictates which wood boring bit you use?
Probably price more than anything else.
If I'm drilling into nail-infested, concrete-crusted wood, I'll use a $2 spade tip before I ruin I nice auger bit.
The only real problem with self-feeders that I've encountered is that they usually cause more damage on the exit side of the material. So if I'm making a finish-quality hole, I'll typically use a manual feed Forstner.
I prefer to use self-feeding Forstners instead of hole saws, but hole saws are a lot cheaper, and therefore, more expendable, just like the spade bits.
Which ever one's sharp.
Cutting torch is always sharp!
how do you use a cutting torch to cut wood framing members? LOL
Very, very carefully
it depends on what your doing. If it's for a pipe or wire I use an auger. Door lock I use spade bits. If I want a clean hole I use a hole saw.
So it really depends.
Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!
size of hole and how many..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Like the other guys said. Depends on your goal: speed, clean hole, dodging nails.
Bubba, I hope you'll allow me to add another question here...
What are the very best bits people have used, for drilling through metal with a hand held drill ?
Big holes or small, thin or thick metal, hard or soft metal, ferrous or non ferrous, elemental or alloy, machinable or non machinable, low or high coefficient of friction, low or high modulus of plasticity, malleable or brittle?
Need more info.
Yes.
Yeh... That'll work.
Sharp ones.
I personally have enjoyed great service from the Rodman bits that I purchased at the Phily home show a while back. But they are only sold at Trade Shows!
How'd you get ahold of my bits?? I gave them to a guy in Puerto Rico.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Unlike other posters, I never use a spade bit unless I have no other choice. If I'm drilling where nails will likely be hit, I reach for my augers -- Nail Biters by Greenlee, I think. Nails don't faze them in the least.
Over about an inch, I use a hole saw, but that's only because I don't have any large forstners. I'd use 'em if I had 'em though. I HATE hole saws.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA