Are all plug cutters the same, or do some cut better than others?

[Sir Percy]

I'm using a lower drill speed so as not to burn the wood, but it's a bit of a slog.

 

[Droogs]

sharpen the leading edge of the cutter

 

[Sir Percy]

sharpen the leading edge of the cutter

Thanks, I've given it a few strokes with a small jewelry/modelling file. Guess it just needs more. Seems it's going to be a slow process, though.

 

[Doug71]

I think like most things you get what you pay for. I have some Veritas ones which are very good, some Trend ones which are okay and some unbranded ones which are rubbish.

As suggested sharpening should help.

 

[marcros]

they do vary. I have had an unbranded one and the veritas tapered one and the difference is night and day. IIRC the Fisch got very good reviews in the past when somebody asked a similar question

 

[Doug B]

The Famag plug cutters are the best I’ve used but also the most expensive, you get what you pay for.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Don't even think about LiddleeAldee ones.

 

[recipio]

They all burn if the speed is too high. The best I've found are the tungsten tipped cutters from www.wealdentool.com.
However, the Veritas tapered cutters give a very snug fit with no gaps but are a little tricky to use as the hole must match the mid-diameter of the cutter.