20 mm Festool router bits

[gnlman]

Hi. Can anyone tell me if these router bits are available in Canada? 
(Product # 491072, and # 490972)
Also, if they are available, is one bit better than the other for plunging 20mm dogholes? I'd like to make another bench, so I can use my qwas dogs and clamping elements that I already have for my MFT/3?

Thanks, Greg.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that they should be -- these are a part of the LR32 kit and not one of the discontinued router bits.

Scot

 

[Michael Kellough]

I have this one 491072.

It plunge bores nice clean holes that measure 20.2mm, which is too loose for my QWAS Dogs.

 

[Kevin D.]

Worsecomesto worse, LV has a 20mm Forstner bit that is pretty good quality that I,ve usedmyself formaking MFT holes with.  Just do a search on their site using "20mm".  There are different qulaity ones available.

 

[gnlman]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. Hmmm looked at the LR32 system as this is what I was thinking of using to register the holes, but it seems that bit is not included in the sites I look at...
Yes did ponder the forstner bits, but as I said above was hoping to use my 1400 with guiderail for more accuracy.
No, I want the holes to be the same if possible, that seems like too much variance to use the rail dogs ect.
Thanks, Greg

 

[ccarrolladams]

The still available Festool 20mm bit is intended for boring holes for smaller hinge cups, not for deep drilling. It is designed to run at the lowest speed on the OF1010 as is the more common 35mm hinge cup boring bit.

Unfortunately larger drill bits are not designed to work at even minimum router speed.

When I make work surfaces with 20mm holes on 96mm centers using one of my CNC machines, I use a 16mm down-cutter spiral bit. I use a program similar to the ones I use to bore precise holes in metal on a CNC machine. The bit is moved in a boring motion to exactly bore the sides of the round hole very precisely.

 

[Michael Kellough]

You could try one of these but at $75 I'd like to know it's right for the task in advance.

TraditionalWoodworker has a very extensive line of Famag bits. The interesting thing about these Forstner bits is that nearly all of the bits that are 20 mm or smaller have 5/16" shanks, which is pretty darn close to the 8 mm of Festool router bits.

I've used them in my routers at the slowest speeds but only for drilling MDF and you still have to plunge quicker than you'd like to avoid burning. Re-tighten the collet frequently. The plunge router makes a nice mini-drill press. I put some self adhesive 220 grit abrasive on the bottom of the router to keep it in position but it's better if you can use the guide rail.

 

[Kevin D.]

Damn those Bormax product pics look sexy!  [embarassed]

 

[gnlman]

Michael,

Hmmm sounds a little risky putting a forstner bit in a router, but sounds like you had success.......I imagine the quality of the bit certainly helps. Just curious, but what do the hole measure out too. I'm hoping to be able to use Qwas dogs and Festool clamps ect that I already own and use with my MFT/3. Have you ever measured the holes, and do you use Qwas dogs?
Thanks, Greg.
PS I only have a 1400 plunge router so far not sure how slow it goes 10k I think. What router did you use and what speed?
PSS...this post assumes you have a 20mm bormax bit, reread the thread and now I'm not sure you have the bit??? lol

 

[Michael Kellough]

Michael,

Hmmm sounds a little risky putting a forstner bit in a router, but sounds like you had success.......I imagine the quality of the bit certainly helps. Just curious, but what do the hole measure out too. I'm hoping to be able to use Qwas dogs and Festool clamps ect that I already own and use with my MFT/3. Have you ever measured the holes, and do you use Qwas dogs?
Thanks, Greg.
PS I only have a 1400 plunge router so far not sure how slow it goes 10k I think. What router did you use and what speed?
PSS...this post assumes you have a 20mm bormax bit, reread the thread and now I'm not sure you have the bit??? lol

You're right, I don't have any Bormax bits but I do have several of the regular quality Famag bits (by the way USA customers, McMaster-Carr doesn't supply brand information for the stuff they sell but the forstner bits they ship are the regular quality Famag bits) and those bits make holes very true to size. Still don't have a Famag 20 mm bit either.

I suppose the Festool 20 mm bit makes an oversized hole because it is meant to make a recess for fitting nominal 20 mm hardware into. You need a little clearance for that.

I've used the bits with a Festool 1000 router but I had to add a 3/4" sub-base due to the length of the bit. I also used the bits directly in a Bosch 1617. I used both on the lowest speeds and it was interesting to find that the larger motor slowed down the most when plunging. I guess the speed control of the Bosch responds more slowly?

As far as safety goes I think the most important thing to do is make sure the router doesn't move laterally while plunging.