Carbide Forstner bits?

[Ricc Havens]

Kelvin, as Jamie stated - "after it gets starred the forester guides from the walls of the hole." and as Duane stated "you don't need the center point as long as the work piece is held securely". In the limited experience I have had doing only a couple dozen mugs is as long as I use a slow speed 400-500RPM and feed the bit slowly the foresters work great starting small and moving up in size. The benefit is you are only removing a small amount of wood between each step in size versus removing a whole 2-1/4" worth of wood with just your one bit. Yes, it mat take a little longer due to changing bits but I haven't had to sharpen any of the bit in my cheap $50 Porter Cable forester set yet.

Good Luck
Ricc

[robert baccus]

Actually the center point is useless for holding the bit centered--it's way too small. The sidewalls hold the bit straight and like above, the whole thing must be very controlled. Try a diamond disc for sharpening these bits--piece of cake.

[Kelvin Burton]

Try a diamond disc for sharpening these bits--piece of cake.

Robert, I've used diamond hand held "stones" and Credit Cards, are you referring to a powered rotating disc? If so, can you give an example?

[Barry Richardson]

Just saw this this morning http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208...-Bit-2-14.aspx Cheaper than their normal price, Never owned one, but word is they are really good for end grain and easy to sharpen. Think I'm going to get one...

[Clarence Martin]

4 inch diameter 3/4 inch shank carbide forstner bit is on sale for $510.00 .

[robert baccus]

Kelvin, HF has some small discs(3"?) for dremel sized grinders. I use 6" lapidary discs from E-Bay in 4 grits--180- 1600 for tool honing and bit sharpening. Very cheap as well. I mounted mine on a HF 4" bench buffer and with 2 shafts I'm able to run 4 grits(back to back). Good luck