FAMAG brad point and forstner bits

Review and photos: Damion Fauser

I’ve struggled to find a good quality set of brad point drill bits for years, to the point of actively avoiding using this style of bit in favour of other tooling options. Similarly, I’ve spent a decade searching for high quality metric Forstner bits. Recently the German FAMAG brand has provided some very satisfactory solutions.

FAMAG brad point drill bits

The first time I used these bits I was utterly blown away with the cut quality. I loaded a 13mm bit into my drill press and drove it at 2000rpm into a piece of hoop pine. The bit cut super-fast, created zero upward chip-out (an issue with the upwardly-spiralling nature of many drills) and the resulting hole measured 13.01mm on my digital calipers, however this near-insignificant variation may just as easily have caused by a measuring error at my end, or any tiny amount of run-out in my drill press. Either way, I’m so very satisfied with a variation of 0.01mm, particularly given the speed of the cut and the clean and crisp nature of the completed hole.

Fully ground from HSS tool steel, the cutting action is generated by the two main cutting edges and a pair of beautifully-ground side spurs. Even in the hand, the sharpness and grind quality is evident. The finely ground centre point of a a 4-faceted pyramid makes locating the bit very easy and accurate.

Even the primary spiral has a subtle secondary grind on the edge, making chip removal clean and fast, and further assisting in keeping the cut hole clean and crisp.

The bits are made in a range of tool steels available individually in sizes from 2.0 to 20.0mm, and in sets from 5–25 pieces. I chose the 25-piece set in 1594 HSS, with sizes ranging from 1.0–13.0mm in 0.5mm increments. Note the 1.0 and 1.5mm bits are not ground in this brad point style, but instead as traditional twist drills. Commenting on the brad points specifically then, the effective cutting length of the smallest size (2.0mm) bit is 22mm and for the largest size is 101mm, which is quite substantial.

The shanks are cylindrical and match the stated bit size, making these bits suitable for use in pretty well any hand held or fixed press chuck style.

FAMAG state that these bits are particularly suited to hardwoods, but are also suitable for a range of plastics, making them very versatile.

FAMAG Bormax forstner bits

Bormax bits are available individually in sizes from 8–60mm, and in sets from 5–15 pieces. I ordered the 15-piece set ranging from 10–50mm. The overall length of each cutter is 90mm and the stated effective cutting length is 57mm, which is more than sufficient for my needs, however accessory extensions are also available.

FAMAG have put some serious thought into the design of these cutters. Traditional forstner bits, with the smooth cylindrical profile ground on the outside of the bit, as well as the easier-to-manufacture straight primary cutting edges, require significant feed force and generate enormous friction in the cut, slowing down productivity and reducing tool life between sharpenings.

FAMAG have addressed both issues. The two primary cutting edges are grooved in an offset/reversing staggered fashion, resulting in a serious reduction in contact between the tool and the wood at any one time. Further, the outside cylindrical profile has flutes ground in two planes – horizontally around the cylinder and near-longitudinally from top to bottom of the cylinder.

These longitudinal grooves end at the lower edge of the tool, creating a sawtooth-pattern circumferential cutting edge. No doubt these details contribute to the manufacturing cost, but they combine to significantly reduce friction (and therefore heat build-up) and required feed force. This means these cutters can cut faster for longer and require less frequent sharpening.

The centre point is again a beautifully ground 4-faceted pyramid, with a fine point and a cutting capability due to the quality of the grind on the four facets. The exact metallurgy is not available on the FAMAG website but is listed simply as ‘tool steel’. The tools are rated for all solid woods as well as composite boards, plywoods and LVLs.

I first tested these cutters by loading a 50mm bit into my drill press and cutting into hoop pine. The bit cut extremely fast and left a very clean and crisp hole which measured out at 50.03mm. I am more than satisfied with this near-insignificant variation, which may have been a measuring error. I was also pleasantly surprised with the chip ejection, which was fast and effective, further reducing friction and load in the cut. The shanks are hexagonal, in proportion to the bit diameter and will load into pretty much any chuck style.

Yes, the cost of these tools is substantial, but I’m satisfied that the cut quality and speed justifies this expense for either the professional shop or discerning woodworker.

Available in Australia from craftsmanhardware.com.au

Damion Fauser is a Brisbane designer maker who teaches woodwork classes from his workshop. See www.damionfauser.com