Festool Centrotec drill bits and forstner bits

[sg1011]

I had a question regarding the difference between regular twist drill bits and brad point drill bits.  I pre-ordered the centrotec installers set that include brad point drill bits and also the forstner bit set, but I also noticed that festool has their line of twist drill bits.  My question is, what are each type of drill bits used for?  I read that the brad points provide a clean hole in wood with a flat bottom... I was under the impression that the forstner bits were the only type of drill bit that produced those results.  Do the brad points exist as a means of drilling a clean hole with a flat bottom in smaller diameters with the forstner bits being able to drill larger holes? 

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I had a question regarding the difference between regular twist drill bits and brad point drill bits.  I pre-ordered the centrotec installers set that include brad point drill bits and also the forstner bit set, but I also noticed that festool has their line of twist drill bits.  My question is, what are each type of drill bits used for?  I read that the brad points provide a clean hole in wood with a flat bottom... I was under the impression that the forstner bits were the only type of drill bit that produced those results. Do the brad points exist as a means of drilling a clean hole with a flat bottom in smaller diameters with the forstner bits being able to drill larger holes?  
Thanks in advance for your response.

Yes.  Also, comparably sized brad points will clear out the chips better and go deeper, faster.

 

[sg1011]

I had a question regarding the difference between regular twist drill bits and brad point drill bits.  I pre-ordered the centrotec installers set that include brad point drill bits and also the forstner bit set, but I also noticed that festool has their line of twist drill bits.  My question is, what are each type of drill bits used for?  I read that the brad points provide a clean hole in wood with a flat bottom... I was under the impression that the forstner bits were the only type of drill bit that produced those results. Do the brad points exist as a means of drilling a clean hole with a flat bottom in smaller diameters with the forstner bits being able to drill larger holes?  
Thanks in advance for your response.

Yes.  Also, comparably sized brad points will clear out the chips better and go deeper, faster.

Thanks, that's real helpful to know since the forstner bits seem to be more expensive.  Are the twist drill bits for general drilling then?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I had a question regarding the difference between regular twist drill bits and brad point drill bits.  I pre-ordered the centrotec installers set that include brad point drill bits and also the forstner bit set, but I also noticed that festool has their line of twist drill bits.  My question is, what are each type of drill bits used for?  I read that the brad points provide a clean hole in wood with a flat bottom... I was under the impression that the forstner bits were the only type of drill bit that produced those results. Do the brad points exist as a means of drilling a clean hole with a flat bottom in smaller diameters with the forstner bits being able to drill larger holes?  
Thanks in advance for your response.

Yes.  Also, comparably sized brad points will clear out the chips better and go deeper, faster.

Thanks, that's real helpful to know since the forstner bits seem to be more expensive.  Are the twist drill bits for general drilling then?

Correct.  Metal, wood, plastic... although a wider tip angle is preferred for metal, usually.  Twist bits cut the hole faster than brad point, but tear out and/or variation of the hole shape can be the downsides when using them in wood.

Don't use the brad points in metal.

 

[mouppe]

The centrotec set for North America is going to have the brad point imperial drill bit set for wood in it (#496942). In Europe (and presumably elsewhere) the set is sold with the HSS metric twist bit set used for wood, metal, plastic (#495128).

There is also the short metric wood, laminated wood and acrylic glass drill set in Europe (#495130) included in both sets which is intended for use with the elbow adapter DD-AS, although it can obviously be used wherever you want. I use these short drill bits a lot- actually more than the imperial set.

You can also buy replacement drill bits to fit in the metric Centrotec hex shanks. These are the HSS twist bits suitable for wood, plastic and metal. I don't believe you can buy replacement bits for the brad point wood bits, but I'd like to stand corrected.

Richard.

 

[tbellemare]

The brad points are one-piece bits.

Tom

 

[GhostFist]

Brad points are the way to go if you have to drill dead on a mark. The point on them prevents the bit slipping off point when starting to drill. Forsteners are going to give you much larger holes than brads can.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

GF,

I have brad point bits that go to 1".  Got a full set from 1/8" to 1" (individually) and they're German made from the old Woodworkers Warehouse, when they were in business.  I believe Woodcraft also sells the models above 1/2".

 

[ccarrolladams]

Twist drills are made with several point styles, in various angles. For example, a 135 degree split-point is very effective drilling aircraft aluminum. With fairly inexpensive equipment twist drills, even split-point, can be sharpened by end users.

Brad-point bits do stay centered, but are only practical for wood. The downside is that it is frustrating sharpening brad-point bits. The up-side is when only used to drill wood at appropriate speeds, brad-point bits last a long time between sharpening.

At my metal fabrication plant our own tool grinding department sharpens all of our twist drills. At my woodworking shop most of us are experienced lightly sharpening the kind of smaller twist drills. All my life I have considered a damaged brad-point to be beyond economic repair. I buy smaller brad-point bits up to 10mm by the packs of a dozen.

 

[GhostFist]

forgot to mention the just for wood thing, woops! good thing there's lots of smart people on this website to clean up after my brain farts. I generally use brad points in cabinetry work and furniture. taper points with a counter sink when i'm not drilling right through a piece. the twist bits I own are general purpose beaters, I don't do a lot of drilling in metal.

 

[sg1011]

Thanks for all the responses.  I think I will get Festools twist bits for general purpose and save the brad points and forstner bits for more precise/cleaner holes. 

Has anyone used the brad point drill bits by a German company COLT?  They seem to have good forstner bits and brad points in larger sizes.

 

[peter halle]

I have several of the Colt bits and have been very happy with them.  Sharp!

 

[greg mann]

forgot to mention the just for wood thing, woops! good thing there's lots of smart people on this website to clean up after my brain farts. I generally use brad points in cabinetry work and furniture. taper points with a counter sink when i'm not drilling right through a piece. the twist bits I own are general purpose beaters, I don't do a lot of drilling in metal.

None of us are interested in cleaning up after your farts, brain or otherwise.  ;D

 

[GhostFist]

Oh but you do....

 

[johninthecamper]

Twist drills are made with several point styles, in various angles. For example, a 135 degree split-point is very effective drilling aircraft aluminum. With fairly inexpensive equipment twist drills, even split-point, can be sharpened by end users.

Brad-point bits do stay centered, but are only practical for wood. The downside is that it is frustrating sharpening brad-point bits. The up-side is when only used to drill wood at appropriate speeds, brad-point bits last a long time between sharpening.

At my metal fabrication plant our own tool grinding department sharpens all of our twist drills. At my woodworking shop most of us are experienced lightly sharpening the kind of smaller twist drills. All my life I have considered a damaged brad-point to be beyond economic repair. I buy smaller brad-point bits up to 10mm by the packs of a dozen.

 

[skids]

I have several of the Colt bits and have been very happy with them.  Sharp!

Do these take advantage of the Centrotec system? Doesn't look like it, had to ask since I am clueless on bits..I am in the general purpose category too, but want centrotec and want sizes that range from large to small. Doesn't look like Festool has what I want. If I get the imperial set I get the sizes I want, but much nicer bits than I need for my work, and I can't fix them if I smash one since the arbor and bit are one piece.

 

[GhostFist]

Might I suggest snappy's centrotec bits? relativity inexpensive and the bits themselves can be replaced with more expensive ones down the road if you so desire.

 

[peter halle]

I have several of the Colt bits and have been very happy with them.  Sharp!

Do these take advantage of the Centrotec system? Doesn't look like it, had to ask since I am clueless on bits..I am in the general purpose category too, but want centrotec and want sizes that range from large to small. Doesn't look like Festool has what I want. If I get the imperial set I get the sizes I want, but much nicer bits than I need for my work, and I can't fix them if I smash one since the arbor and bit are one piece.

The Colt bits do not have a Centrotec shank.  I use more non Centrotec bits than Centrotec.  Because I have multiple Festool drills (3) I have plenty of ways to shift chucks and Centrotec adaptors and bits.

Peter

 

[ceddy]

I really like the forstner bits, at first I thought I was wasting my money, but I've used them alot. They just chew wood so cleanly and effortlessly.