Irwin lip & spur bits - or good alternatives - your thoughts

[flintandsteel]

I drill several thousand 6 & 9mm holes a month in hardwoods. These are all left visible on the surface.
I've tried a variety of drill bits and found Irwin to be the best drill for the job as they cut cleanly and leave a good edge with minimal refinishing. This because the have a good deep lip.

Well that applies to the 6mm drills anyway.
My problem is that for some reason Irwin don't supply a 9mm bit into the UK or for the US home market. I've tried and failed to locate said 9mm anywhere.

Anyone know if they actually make a 9mm? If so where can I get one? Non of their staff seam to know.

Failing that can anyone suggest a good alternative? I've tried Trend, Faithful and DeWalt. All these can leave a raggy edge in some timbers, particularly Elm. Even going in really slowly only improves the cut marginally

While here I might as well ask if anyone can recommend or know where to get a 2 & 3mm lip and spur bits. I'm using HSS at the moment, not ideal but less critical with the finish.

My thanks
Jon

 

[marcros]

Not quite what you have requested, but I would try some of these http://www.fine-tools.com/koko-ichiban.html

 

[katellwood]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcwOBL0tTbc

Does this help, may get you out of a hole

 

[flintandsteel]

Sharpening, not the issue. Some of these are brand new and in use are replaced regularly.
With the Irwin drills the deep lip cuts in a decent few mm very cleanly before really starting to bore.
The 9mm drills I've found tend to have shallow lips and might mark the timber surface a little but start cutting very quickly and on a softer timber will lift the edges of the hole.
All I need is a deep lipped drill which Irwin don't appear to provide.
It's been suggested that there may be a Swiss or German manufacturer makes a quality drill to suit but I don't have any leads or names for such.

 

[SteveF]

will this help

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/epages ... LIPSPUR-09

Steve

 

[marcros]

or these- the video doesnt work so I youtubed it, but they look positive.

http://www.fine-tools.com/penblank-drills.html

 

[AndyT]

Try Peter Sefton for Colt brand bits - 9mm individual bits are here: http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/ep...th=/Shops/eshop814530/Products/COLTLIPSPUR-09

They also list 3mm but not 2mm.

I bought a set of these from Axi at Eric The Viking's recommendation when they were selling them off - they really are very good - sharp and clean with very little tear out on exit - though my usage is nowhere near yours!

 

[blackrodd]

Not quite what you have requested, but I would try some of these http://www.fine-tools.com/koko-ichiban.html

Looks to be the very one, I would think, but how to sharpen it?--------
Regards Rodders

 

[custard]

Best drill bits I've ever used are from the German manufacturer "Famag", available from Workshop Heaven.Not the cheapest but they last a long time between sharpenings, are exceptionally accurate and consistent, and they cut really clean holes.

 

[AES]

@Flint&steel:

I live in a metric country and have often looked for 2 mm spur bits without success. I hesitate to be absolutely positive but it does seem as though 3 mm are smallest available here - "readily available" anyway.

+1 for the above comment re Famag bits, and they're freely available here, and not too expensive either (for once).

If you have no joy buying in UK send me a PM and I'll drop a couple (or however many you want) 3mm spur bits in a jiffy bag for you.

Re 9 mm spur bits I'm pretty sure they too are readily available (I don't use that size very often and I think my one or two off came within a set of 3 to 12 mm). But if they too are readily available as singles I can get some and put them in the jiffy bag with the 3 mm jobbies. Again, if you can't find them easily in UK.

HTH
AES

 

[flintandsteel]

Still here but having to work late for orders.
Thank you all for the contributions, I'll have to read through them later tonight.
A sharp edge to the hole is my objective. 6mm Irwin are great and I have some 3/8th coming from a friend in the US but that = 9.5mm so not quite right.
3mm would be really useful.
My most expensive drill bit is a 6.5mm lip & spur costing about £27.

 

[rafezetter]

Not quite what you have requested, but I would try some of these http://www.fine-tools.com/koko-ichiban.html

wow what a set of drillbits - very nice but £750 for the lot!

 

[Myfordman]

Try Wealden drill bits. I'm very happy with mine.

 

[AES]

@flintandsteel:

I just Googled for Famag lip & spur bits and came up with Workshop Heaven:

http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/FAMAG_1594.html

2 mm bits are £6.40 each; ditto 2.5 mm;

3 mm bits are £5.10 each;

9 mm bits are £9.50 each.

The 2 mm bits are currently shown as out of stock (not shown when available again).

HTH.

I've learnt something from this too, because as per my previous post, 2 mm & 2.5 mm bits are as rare as hens teeth here, in fact I've never been able to find any - they must be very difficult to make when you think of the v small spaces between the spur and one lip on the smallest diameter bits. I think I'll check my local suppliers for the 2 mm bits 'cos I'd certainly find that size useful.

So it seems your problems may be solved, although perhaps not very cheaply - OTOH, I find Famag v good and long-lasting (but to be fair, I've never faced drilling thousands of holes).

AES