Like many I have picked up a few here and there as needed. I've been looking at a 14pc Porter Cable set on Amazon, Any info on this particular set or brand?......
Like many I have picked up a few here and there as needed. I've been looking at a 14pc Porter Cable set on Amazon, Any info on this particular set or brand?......
Nope, but I suggest saving your money and picking up one of the Lee Valley sets. I really like their bits!
If at first you don't succeed, redefine success!
There are enough reviews to indicate they are a decent set of bits. I saw one review stated they came dull and unusable. The beauty of Amazon is it's very easy to return and get a replacement. Let us know what you decide and how you like them.
A couple of years ago I started replacing my conventional forstner bits with carbide forstners one at a time as I identified the ones I used the most. Hint: Don't get the really cheap ones. The Amana bits seem to be a good value.
I have a PC set. They are serviceable, but hardly first class. If I were buying, I'd settle for fewer sizes and go upscale on the quality. But it f you mostly work with easily machined woods, the PC bits will get you by.
After 75yrs I have concluded you get what you pay for.
At work I have good ones bought as needed. I would just to have an average set for the home shop.
At this point in life I don't want to be someone's "great auction find" when I'm gone...
Last edited by jack duren; 11-27-2016 at 6:34 PM.
I'd say it depends on how often you will use them. I worked in a very good shop that bought a cheap Taiwanese set because we did 18th century repro furniture and drilling holes was not something we did a lot of. I bought a $10 bit from Home Depot and drilled 5400 1-1/4" deep holes with it and it seems in pretty good shape despite the fact that I believe it falls in the cheap, Chinese made category.
I bought a cheap set years ago. Put a note card in box, and each time I used a bit wrote it down. When I use any size more than three times in a year, I buy a Freud from local HD to replace it. This way you have an assortment of sizes available, and good ones that you use most. Best of both worlds.
Bought a Freud carbide set many years ago and it still cuts like it is new. I work mostly with hardwood and non carbide forstner bits dull quickly in hardwood. The Freud carbide set sells for around $150.
I got the HF set as I rarely use them, but they cut great and come in a nice case. I've done several Euro hinges and counter-bores for fasteners with them. IMO inexpensive tools that work well means I can afford more tools. I would buy better if I used them frequently - but I guarantee you the wood doesn't know or care if you're using a $20 set or a $200 set!
i am happy with a set from CMT bought at a local hardware. Price was not bad at $99 for a set of 16 metric sizes in a nice case. it looks to me like some of the CMT stuff on amazon may be fakes. The cases are different, and they get horrible reviews.
i don't see the set i own anywhere, they were bought about 3 years ago.