Forstner bit or use the scroll saw?!

[LarB]

Hi Folks

 

Chick question here Is there any difference to cutting a hole to suit a 1 7/16" (35mm) clock insert with the scroll saw as opposed to using a forstner bit?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Cheers

 

 

[JohnR48]

With the forestner bit you are guaranteed a perfect circle if you use a drill press, and it is much faster but either way would work.

[kywoodmaster]

Unless your a lot better at following a line that me use the bit. Sometimes when we photocopy a pattern it distorts some leaving a less than round hole. The clearances are very tight on the inserts. USE THE BIT. :D :D

[dgman]

I make a lot of clocks with fit- ups or clock inserts. I always use a forstner bit to make the insert hole. I have been scrolling for around twenty years and I won't take the chance of miss cutting the hole. If it's to small, you have to sand it. If it's to big, the insert won't stay in.

You can control the depth of the hole also. I never cut all the way through the wood blank. It looks cleaner that way.

Good luck and let us see your project!

[bandaideman]

I agree I tried doing with scroll saw when I did not have that size bit but never quite made it right and almost always too large. Like Dan said you can control depth and it looks cleaner.

[amazingkevin]

I've never understood why a Forster bit won't keep cutting when in a drill press.But they do do a beautiful clean cut hole ! :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[WayneMahler]

I prefer the forstner bit. Use a drill press and depending on the size of the bit, select your speed accordingly. Larger forstner bit don't work well at faster speeds.

[lawson56]

Foster bit.

[Rob Roy]

I use forstner saw tooth bits. Much easier if you have a drill press, more accurate too, especially if you've got shaky hands like me.  

Rob Roy.

[LarryEA]

If you have dull or cheap Forstner bits that have a tough time cutting, then

just use the Forstner bit to mark where you will scroll saw your hole.

[oldhudson]

Forstner bit for the reasons given by others, use a drill press and slow speed.

[Docupton]

What they said up there ^

[scrollerpete]

I second what they said.

[MrsN]

I also agree with everybody!

[heppnerguy]

I have always cut them with the scroll saw but perhaps I will splurge for a bit.  They are a little spendy and I do not do a lot of clocks. but what the heck, I have the  money so why not ? I am a slow learner, and now I will take one more really slow step and indulge.  after all, if the family agrees this strongly on the bit, who am I to hold out.

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Scrappile]

Forstner bits are expensive especially in the larger sizes.  Anyone use a circle cutter simiuar to this type?  It is adjustable for various size clock inserts.  I use to have one, not this one, but same principal and it worked pretty well.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Scrappile

[LarryEA]

A negative to cutting with a Forstner is the wood dust and chips created...

II don't like cleaning it up.

[dgman]

Not an issue for me, I have my dust collector hooked up to my drill press.

[LarB]

Thank you all for your advice and input.

 

I'll be using my scroll saw - finding a forstner bit locally is as rare as rocking horse droppings, so I'll cut it shy and sand!! I will post the project - after cutting the hole then after the fit-up. It's not an overly huge hole and with very little experience in cutting a full circle; this is going to be a great learning curve albeit a continuous one   

 

Thanks again. Happy scrolling!!

 

LarB

[dgman]

Good luck Lorie, I know you can do it!

[oldhudson]

Thank you all for your advice and input.

 

I'll be using my scroll saw - finding a forstner bit locally is as rare as rocking horse droppings, so I'll cut it shy and sand!! I will post the project - after cutting the hole then after the fit-up. It's not an overly huge hole and with very little experience in cutting a full circle; this is going to be a great learning curve albeit a continuous one 

 

Thanks again. Happy scrolling!!

 

LarB

Given that you're going to use the scroll saw, let me suggest one more option. You can make a simple circle cutting jig to use on the scroll saw. I did that for Christmas ornaments years ago. The advantage of a jig is that you'd get a near perfect circle and it's repeatable. Finally, a shop made jig is adjustable you can cut a 35mm circle and change the circle size by moving the pivot point relative to the blade. On the other hand, for a single circle it may not be worth the effort. 

 

Good luck with the project I know we'll all be looking forward to pictures.

[heppnerguy]

Forstner bits are expensive especially in the larger sizes.  Anyone use a circle cutter simiuar to this type?  It is adjustable for various size clock inserts.  I use to have one, not this one, but same principal and it worked pretty well.

Paul.

   I do have one of these  but I have never used it.  maybe I will give it a try and see how well it works. I will let you know,if I remember

Dick

[Gonzo]

Forstner bits are expensive especially in the larger sizes.  Anyone use a circle cutter simiuar to this type?  It is adjustable for various size clock inserts.  I use to have one, not this one, but same principal and it worked pretty well.

I have this tool. Works pretty darn well. And it is much, much cheaper than forstner bits However, and its a huge however, you just have to be careful and use a slow rpm and a slow feed rate due to it being a single tooth cutter. You also will need a scrap price of lumber underneath it.

[LarB]

Happy New Year to you all ... I'm back     didn't go away ... was tied to the workshop/kitchen/workshop!! Here's an update... I couldn't find a forstner bit so attempted the hole with my scrollsaw - wasn't too bad but needed a heck of a lot of sanding. Ahah...I'll use the Dremel big oops, big gap! Note to self - dingbat, slow the speed down!!

 

Attempt 2 ... different timber and still no forstner bit, so with a little amber liquid tempter I asked he who ought to listen if I could please borrow his skill with the hole saw and drill. Too easy, about 3mm too small a hole though and even more sanding. No amount of amber liquid tempter would persuade him to do this  So this time I did it manually...I am so glad I did because I'm really chuffed with the result. My younger Bro liked his Christmas present!

 

I'll post the completed project in my gallery along with the other Christmas gifts made.

 

Thanks again though to you all for your advice and I will be investigating the jig concept as well as the circle cutter.
 

[CharleyL]

Frequently, in thin wood a Forstner bit isn't always the best choice because the spur and edge cutters cut deeper than the actual hole, and can come out through the back of the wood if the hole is drilled slightly too deep. I've been using a template guide that I made from 1/4" Lexan that I stick in place with double sided tape. I then use my laminate trimmer router with a guide bushing to ride around the inside of the template and a 1/4" straight bit in the router to cut the hole the exact depth that I need with no spur marks or edge scoring. I have made a few of these holes in wood so thin that the backside of my work would allow light to be seen through it, if held up to my shop ceiling lights. Having tried using the scroll saw and the Forstner bit methods, I much prefer using my router method.

 

Charley

Edited January 10, 2016 by CharleyL