LarB Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnR48 Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 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. LarB and oneleggimp 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kywoodmaster Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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 LarB and oneleggimp 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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! amazingkevin, GrampaJim and LarB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandaideman Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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: LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Foster bit. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 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. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Forstner bit for the reasons given by others, use a drill press and slow speed. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docupton Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 What they said up there ^ LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollerpete Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 I second what they said. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsN Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I also agree with everybody! LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 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 LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 (edited) 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 LarB and LarryEA 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 A negative to cutting with a Forstner is the wood dust and chips created... II don't like cleaning it up. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Not an issue for me, I have my dust collector hooked up to my drill press. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarB Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Good luck Lorie, I know you can do it! LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 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. LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 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 LarB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarB Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharleyL Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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