aldi forstner bits heating up

[hazel]

anyone used these? If so anyone had an issue with them heating up?


I was using one for a tealight holder yesterday (though not again as realised that 35mm isn't large enough lol so the next one will be passed to my partner to make a whole on the lathe), and I found that the bit and the wood were both seriously heating up. At first I thought it might be the wood as I was using black cabbage bark which is something I've never worked with before, so I gave it a go on some oak and then some sycamore but the same issue occured. I'm going to try sharpening them today, but was wondering if anyone else had found this issue

 

[Rhossydd]

I haven't used the Aldi ones, but a cheap set I bought from Lidl were similarly rubbish. Blunt and pretty useless. Sharpening might help, but I doubt they're made of decent quality steel in the first place.
Possibly of use for non-critcal work, but for anything serious I use a good quality bit.

 

[hazel]

bit annoying as the aldi stuff usually isn't bad for the price. I'll see if sharpening makes any difference

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've a Lidl set which is fine for occasional use, as long as it's kept sharp. I suspect the speed of the lathe is too high for a 35mm bit, especially if it's going into end grain.

 

[AndyT]

If you have never sharpened them and are using them on hard wood end grain at high speed, I would not expect them to work at all.
So attack the two things you can change - sharpen them and go very slowly.

But expect disappointment - 35mm is a big bit and needs a slow speed. Forstners are better on side grain, in my experience - a sawtooth bit is better on end grain.
If you don't want to pay a lot more for something properly made from hard steel, I think you would be better off making a small hole for clearance and then using gouges and scrapers to excavate the hole.

 

[nev]

Yep! Aldi drill bits are pants. only good for drilling around corners and starting fires. Lesson learned. not one of aldis better offerings.

 

[hazel]

tried sharpening them and tried lower speed, same issue... then had a go with my partners dads forstner of the same size and it cut fine. So thinking it is the aldi ones that are the issue

 

[Myfordman]

Following a recommendation here a couple of years back I bought a Screwfix set It is surprisingly good value and performs well - not something I'd say about all SF products.

code no 83345 - £35 for 16 sizes 6mm - 54mm
They are on special offer from time to time but not right now.