pipemakersforum.com

anybody know where to get spoon bits?

PiaPipes (Tom Eltang) has them:

http://piapipes.com/product.asp?product=600

These are the only ones I know of that are readily available. You could also talk to Trent Rudat: http://www.briarpipetooling.com/

He had talked about making some at one point.

Many of us bought them from Brad Pohlmann, who did a batch of them last year. They are great, and were a bit more affordable than Eltangs, but I believe that was a one off run for those that bought in at the time.

Don't try to use traditional spoon bits, such as used in chair making. They are not the same.

Thanks, I had already fired off an email to Trent.

You could also make your own. I have made my own before without too much effort. It works just fine. Rolando Negoita makes his own as well. This is, of course, only a reasonable task if you use a metal lathe and have access to a metal cutting band saw. I managed to halve mine with a hack saw, but would strongly dissuade anyone else from embarking on that arm-breaking, half-hour long journey. There's really not much to them, to be honest.

Jeff

Brad Pohlmann of Pohlmann pipes makes them
max

Brad made a batch once. I talk to him frequently and have heard nothing about another batch of bits.

It sounds like the options are:

1. Buy from Eltang
2. Find someone who bought Brad's bits and doesn't want or can't use them any longer.
3. Make your own
4. Don't worry about using spoon bits and drill on a press or lathe--many of the greats do this with no problems and incredible results.

Another option, if you don't want or can't make your own spoon bits, is to make bits by re-shaping silver and deming bits. Those are the big 1/2" shank twist bits that range in size from 1/2" up over 1" - I've even seen 1.5" examples.

These work spectacularly on lathes and drill presses, and are significantly easier to do than making your own spoon bits.

I do not, however, suggest you actually use any one of my methods for reshaping these things, which you may find elsewhere on this forum. It is hazardous, dangerous, and you might die.