2.5mm bit extension for Blum locking devices

[JonathanJung]

$30 for a wee bit extension and a stop collar:
https://www.woodworkerexpress.com/blum-tandem-template-tool-set.html

For predrilling for Blum undermount locking devices. That's crazy. I have the stop collar, but does anyone know where we can get a 2.5mm drill bit extension that's decent quality?

 

[Packard]

I always cringe when I see the prices for Blum jigs, but when I finally buy one, they are of exceptional quality.  And Woodworkers' Express is a good and competitive vendor.  That is probably a fair price for the Blum set.

I am not clear on how these are needed. 

Uxcell sells over length 2.5mm drill bits.  They are 200mm long (about 7.9 inches) and you get 5 for $12.50 from Amazon.com.

I have bought components from Uxcell in the past and they have all be pretty good.  But I don't know if this will work for you as I am not clear on how it is supposed to be used.  What drilling fixture will this be used with?
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-2-5mm...0746TDH59/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=2.5mm+extra+long+drill+bit&qid=1628004207&sr=8-10

 

[JonathanJung]

I always cringe when I see the prices for Blum jigs, but when I finally buy one, they are of exceptional quality.  And Woodworkers' Express is a good and competitive vendor.  That is probably a fair price for the Blum set.

I am not clear on how these are needed. 

Uxcell sells over length 2.5mm drill bits.  They are 200mm long (about 7.9 inches) and you get 5 for $12.50 from Amazon.com.

I have bought components from Uxcell in the past and they have all be pretty good.  But I don't know if this will work for you as I am not clear on how it is supposed to be used.  What drilling fixture will this be used with?
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-2-5mm...0746TDH59/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=2.5mm+extra+long+drill+bit&qid=1628004207&sr=8-10

For use with the drill tempate
https://www.woodworkerexpress.com/s...sories-tandem-templates-tandem-templates.html

 

[Packard]

Blum has videos on that template.  I don't see where the extension is required.  I must be missing something.

 

[JonathanJung]

Blum has videos on that template.  I don't see where the extension is required.  I must be missing something.

For 2.5mm drill bit for the locks.

 

[Packard]

I can find hex shank drill bits in metric sizes, but only in sets and only from Amazon.de (Germany).  I have ordered from Amazon.de and it takes about 10 days to arrive and it is processed like a regular Amazon purchase.  The site has a translation feature to many languages (including English).  So it is not a language issue. 

There are many extension devices for these hex shank drill bits.  If you look long enough you might find a domestic source for these. 

Oops!.  I see they won't ship to the USA.
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/MINHER-p...ref=sr_1_29?dchild=1&keywords=sechskantschaft+bohrer%2C+2%2C5+mm&qid=1628008656&sr=8-29

 

[squall_line]

For 2.5mm drill bit for the locks.

How deep does the bit need to go into the template to do its thing, since there's no stop collar on it?

Based on that image, it appears that the shaft extension is really only needed if the head of the drill is too big to fit into the template.

You may have already tried and found the depth lacking, which is why you asked, but I figured I'd still mention it just in case.

edit to add:
From another thread I found on a different site about this, the extension is only needed if a chuck hits the jig.  Depending on the size/type of chuck, this may not even be an issue.

Also, many people on that same thread reported that they didn't bother with the 2.5mm bit to pre-drill, or they used a vix bit with the lock sitting in place instead of the jig.  YMMV.

 

[pixelated]

If it helps, Lee Valley has that set for $21.00, they also have the 2.5mm drill bit to go in it. Tandem tool set

I've had some success using a vix bit, as mentioned above. I've also seen ebay sellers offering a 3mm - 2.5mm shim to put a 2.5 mm bit in a 3mm Festool Centrotec drill holder.
That said, the next time I need to mount some more Blum sides, I am probably going to spring for the blum bit extension.

 

[JonathanJung]

If it helps, Lee Valley has that set for $21.00, they also have the 2.5mm drill bit to go in it. Tandem tool set

I've had some success using a vix bit, as mentioned above. I've also seen ebay sellers offering a 3mm - 2.5mm shim to put a 2.5 mm bit in a 3mm Festool Centrotec drill holder.
That said, the next time I need to mount some more Blum sides, I am probably going to spring for the blum bit extension.

That is very helpful. Already had an order in with LV so just added to it.

 

[tjskinny]

The other option for the jig and drill bits for Blum under mounts is this kit from Rockler;
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-jigit-undermount-drilling-guide

It works pretty well and comes with (2) 2.5 mm bits, as well as the 6mm.

 

[JonathanJung]

The other option for the jig and drill bits for Blum under mounts is this kit from Rockler;
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-jigit-undermount-drilling-guide

It works pretty well and comes with (2) 2.5 mm bits, as well as the 6mm.

I've never been impressed with Rockler quality, maybe for occasional use it's ok, but for production I always found them lacking.

 

[JonathanJung]

Well I got the Blum toolset, a couple 6mm bits, and a couple 2.5mm bits from Lee Valley. Very impressed with everything.

The Blum tool kit looks like crap in the photos, but in the hand it is very nicely made and much more substantial than I thought.