pipemakersforum.com

I keep seeing these mentioned in different posts so I had myself a look-see over at bitsnbores.com.... now I'm curious as to what the folks who are using them are using them for?? Any help? Thanks in advance..

matt

I use a brad point to drill my mortise in the shank, currently. When I get the lathe setup the way I want, I will move to an end mill for this operation.

I also use a brad point on the airhole, for no particular reason, just what I use.

What's the benefit of this type of bit? From what I read at bitsnbores, it sounds like it leaves a very clean hole after drilling... without seeing one in action, or having it described by someone who's used one, I'm at a bit of a loss.

Well, the main function of this type of bit, is that it leaves a square bottom hole. From what I have seen though, an end mill is a bit cleaner, but I can't complain about the brad points that I have been using. They have served me well.

They seem to wander less and leave a flat bottom. They also are used without a pilot hole. A pilot hole will make the drill go screwy so you must drill your mortise first before your airway.

A possible drawback is that they leave a ring at the bottom of the hole where the spurs are. I have not found it to be a problem but other guys think it is unsightly.

Thanks for the info, fellas... do you go after these bits the same way you do a forstner? I.E. get a decent bit and not a $9.95 set as the tooling will be inferior?

You know, I think I lucked up. I bought one of those $9.95 sets from Harbor Freight and I really have not had any trouble with them. But I would recommend just getting the sizes you need and spending the extra dough to get nicer, more precise ones.

Thanks, Bryan... extra dough is always welcome in my pipe materials fund... guess it's off to Lowe's again this weekend for me

I have bought all of my bits from www.leevalley.com and found them to be wonderfull.